SZECHUAN Inn was a highly popular Chinese restaurant, offering a large seating area as well as a takeaway.

In 2015 however, the restaurant was the victim of an immigration raid and the restaurant was fined up to £150,000 for illegally employing seven people. 

The restaurant subsequently closed down and was left vacant for quite some time, leaving residents questioning what was coming next. 

Many rumours spread around about what was to go in the space on Bean Oak Road, Wokingham, until Calzone was finally announced. 

On Friday I tried the restaurant for the first time and the food didn't disappoint. 

I tried an Italian meat feast pizza, which was ham, pepperoni, beef, pork sausages, bacon and topped with mozzarella cheese. 

I thought the half-hour wait was a bit much, but it was well worth the wait, as the food was freshly cooked, no microwaving or quick re-fire jobs here. 

Along with the pizza a side of chicken strips arrived, which were tender and fell apart easily in my mouth. Exquisite. 

The restaurant had a very family-friendly feel to it with a very welcoming vibe. 

Every customer was greeted with a smile and offered a handshake on the way out.

There only appeared to be two members of staff working the front of house, but that did not matter to much due to the care and attention given by both. 

There was no slacking, no members of staff leaning haphazardly against the bar or standing around looking bored. They were always on the move making sure everything was okay. 

The pizza itself was a medium size on the menu, but was felt more like a large from any other delivery only restaurant. 

My partner's meal, a margherita pizza, was small on the menu but still more than enough and not lacking in flavour.

The menu itself was diverse and although we may have slightly missed the point by going to a restaurant called Calzone and not actually ordering a calzone, it left me and my partner wanting more. We will definitely be back.

Unlike other Italian restaurants in and around the local area, Calzone is an independent. The feel of the place led me to question whether or not we may see more of them popping up around the area, as it certainly seemed popular, and would lend itself quite well to franchising. 

The walls were lined with murals depicting famous Italian landmarks, such as the Roman Colosseum and the leaning tower of Pisa, amongst others. 

Even the seating arrangement in the restaurant was impressive, with a mini-bar set up in the middle, similar to the style you'd find at Wagamamas, offering something a little bit different.

All in all, Calzone is a fantastic addition to the local culinary scene, a worthy replacement for the Szechuan Inn. I cannot wait to go back.