I have five - and counting - Jamie books on my kitchen shelf. I love the simplicity of his recipes but also the attention to detail and love for his craft. I also love the magnificent drool-worthy pictures. Okay, okay, I confess; I have a severe foodie crush on Jamie and I compulsively pour through his recipes on a very regular basis. \n\nNow, that's out in the open...How was my first visit to Jamie's Italian? The interior is stunning! But located in the oh-so-regal Assembly Rooms, you wouldn't expect anything less. With ruby red furnishings and elegant hanging chandeliers, the surroundings really are a delight; the restaurant definitely has that wow-factor. There's a cocktail bar. There's hanging meat. There's little Jamie personalised napkins. It's a little bit like a modernised Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel. Just a little. - I like it! \n\nWe were given a warm, friendly welcome and shown to a table as soon as we arrived. The menu is a mix of classic Italian dishes, with traditional pasta and salad dishes, along with some interesting sides and sharing platters. Having just attended the Fit Festival in the Assembly Rooms, it would have been sacrilege to have anything but a salad. So we went for the wholesome Market Superfood Salad which consisted of the following yummy, healthy ingredients:  Avocado, shaved fennel, candied beets, Italian sprouting broccoli, creamy cottage cheese, pomegranate, smashed nuts & seeds. Served with a fennel blossom Sicilian harissa, to this delicious combination you can also add grilled chicken or smoked salmon. \n\nNow, there is a time and place for salad. Alas, this was not one one of them. Looking back, I wished I'd went for a good old bowl of carbonara or the signature Jamie's Italian burger. The salad was really very delicious, as was the bread and dip nibbles we'd ordered alongside. Although in hindsight, Jamie's is somewhere you should go all out and have a proper Italian feast.\n\nNext time, Jamie, next time...