CAFE DA VINCI, 17 Strand Street, Kilmarnock Tel:

01563 573535

THE old gumshoe was feeling his age and down on his luck so I fancied getting out of the big smoke and into the countryside for a bit of fresh Ayrshire.

Toots was feeling sorry for me because I'd just had a dingdong with the boss and started back on the weed after three weeks off the cigs.

The Moll could see I was wound up as we jumped in the Buick. She put her hand on my knee and said: "Look Tec, you're going to have to cool it before I go anywhere with you."

I took the hint, I knew I was bad news and my black mood was rubbing off so I rolled down the windows and high-tailed it out of Tec Towers down the M77 coastward bound with the wind in my flat-top.

I flipped on some radioactive tunes to cheer us both up and we bumped our gums all the way about what we fancied for dinner.

The only crank in the shaft was that I was so hungry I could have eaten my own hand, so when I saw a sign for Kilmarnock I took the slip road into town. The town centre was quiet and there was no problem parking, with it being in the middle of the week.

As I got out of the Buick I could smell the wafts of a home-cooked Italian meal like mamma used to make and then I eyeballed a sign for Cafe Da Vinci.

It had been a while since I was in Kilmarnock and was worried it had gone downhill since Johnnie Walker's whisky plant closed a few years ago, but I was wrong.

We walked through the door and the place was buzzing with couples, parties and families all chatting away in these casual but smart surroundings.

As soon as we walked in it felt like home and we were ushered to a cosy table for two in the corner where we were offered drinks quick smart by several charming waitresses.

We got a carafe of house red which went down singing hymns and I was struggling to choose from the specials board and the main menu as it all sounded the bee's knees.

I went for the Bruschetta da Vinci, which was lovely big slices of garlic bread with mouth-watering mozzarella and napoli sauce.

Blondie couldn't resist the Focaccia Rosmarino - a light pizza-like bread with rosemary, sea salt and olive oil.

As she munched her way through it, I was secretly hoping she'd leave a bit for me to dip into my pasta, and I think she must have read my mind.

With raised eyebrows she said: "You eyeing up my foccacia, babes?

"Try a bit, it's thin and crispy and melts in your mouth."

I didn't have to be asked twice and with the blink of an eye I had two slices tucked away at the far end of the table ready for the main course.

In the need of comfort food after a bad day at the office, I plumped for a big hearty bowl of the Penne Martino with bacon, wine, tomato, peppers and just enough chillies to pep me up.

Babes went for the Penne Picante with spicy chicken, mushrooms, pepperoni and cream and she lapped up the lot without complaint.

You know the Tec is never one to push the boat out or open the top button of my slacks, but this time I didn't have a choice because the dessert menu was truly irresistible.

Sweet cheeks went for the Eton Mess and I had the chocolate cake with cream.

We were both blown away and left the place pretty satisfied customers without leaving a hole in my pocket.

This little gem in Killie's Strand Street gets a big thumbs up from me and The Moll and I will definitely be back soon.

STARTERS:

Bruschetta £2.55

Focaccia £3.70

MAINS:

Penne Martino £8.45

Penne Picante £8.95

DESSERTS:

Eton Mess £5.95

Chocolate cake £5.95

DRINKS:

Carafe of house wine £16.95

THE TOTAL: £52.50