Subject: Villa Colombina, Grasmere Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 4/2/2009 Body: RATING Total 18 Great atmosphere 3 Home cooked fresh food 4 Plenty of flavour 4 Good value for money 4 Service with a smile 3 Telephone: 015394-35268 www.howfoot.co.uk/restaurant.html Original review: March 31, 2006 for lunch  Villa Colombina is situated just  in front of Dove Cottage in Grasmere. Owners Kate and Mike Metcalfe run the How Foot Lodge country guest house next door. The restaurant is as Italian as they come in these parts, and the menu is extensive at night, and only a little less so at lunch time, with many classic Italian dishes on offer, and not just the watered down English ones you normally see on so called Italian menus.  I had a really tasty lasagne with goat's cheese and roasted pepper – apart from the classic tomato, beef and cheese sauce, served with a fresh salad. Martin had bruschetta with basil pesto, anchovies and slivers of parmesan, also served with a salad, which he really enjoyed as well. And at 6.95 for the pasta and 4.75 for the bruschetta, the meal was very good value for money. We will definitely come back and try it for dinner sometime. Villa Colombina has quite a few tables, and is definitely a good option if you are looking for a cooked lunch in Grasmere. It was pretty empty when we went, but no doubt gets busier in the high season.   By Cecilia Campbell   Cancel