Preston Street, one of Brighton’s gateways to the sea, is lined with a myriad of restaurants, transporting tastebuds to all four corners of the globe.

One of the bastions of this street is the family-run Italian restaurant Casalingo, which after 35 years fails to disappoint.

Even before entering the restaurant, I was greeted with a number of beautiful mosaics that dazzled the eye.

Once inside Italian music was playing softly in the background, providing a lovely ambience.

The range of options was extensive and authentic, with mussels, gnocchi and a variety of fish, meat and pasta dishes.

We had to apologise for taking so long to decide upon a dish as there were so many tantalising options.

The Argus: Lasagna al forno at CasalingoLasagna al forno at Casalingo (Image: The Argus)

After much thought, I opted for an Italian classic, the lasagna al forno, while my friend chose the spaghetti napoli, both of which turned out to be excellent choices.

Our waiter was attentive, offering both of us heaps of parmesan as we salivated at the food in front of us.

The lasagna was creamy, cooked to perfection and full of flavour, while my friend’s hearty spaghetti dish offered a delicious balance between the basil and tomato.

The Argus: Spaghetti Napoli at CasalingoSpaghetti Napoli at Casalingo (Image: The Argus)

It would have been impossible to visit an Italian restaurant without taking a look at the dessert menu. For both of us, the choice was obvious - it had to be a tiramisu, perhaps Italy’s most famous dessert.

It was presented beautifully and tasted delicious, filled with a creamy sweetness and coupled with the coffee-soaked sponge.

The Argus: Tiramisu at CasalingoTiramisu at Casalingo (Image: The Argus)

After the meal, we returned to bustling Brighton outside feeling well fed and satisfied.

For an authentic taste of Italy, there is perhaps no better place in Brighton.