I just read an article in the Guardian about a couple of Japanese tourists who called the police after being charged €700 for an Italian meal at Il Passetto in Rome. This 150 year old restaurant, which is apparently a big hit with the Hollywood glitterati, defended the bill, which included €207 for a pasta dish and a €115 service charge, by saying the couple ordered the most expensive dish on the menu.

€207 for a pasta dish! Are they serious? There isn’t a pasta dish, or any dish in the world for that matter, worth €207.

I laughed aloud when I read the Japanese tourists called the cops on these restaurant robbers. I wish I’d thought of that option when faced with an outrageous bill in the past. Thankfully, I learnt early on in my life (when I still had an expense account) that expensive restaurants are rarely, if ever, worth the money. Now, I simply avoid them.

At Jamie’s Italian there are plenty of tasty pasta dishes. Fortunately, none of them cost anywhere near 207 euros.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t like good food. I love it, which is why I was so eager to visit Jamie Oliver’s new eatery on my last trip to Bath. I’d never been to a Jamie Oliver restaurant before, although I’ve always been a big fan of his simple recipes.

Jamie’s Italian didn’t disappoint. The idea behind the concept (there are now five restaurants in total) is to serve great food at reasonable prices. There are plenty of pasta dishes, none of them even close to €207. Fortunately what they lack in price they make up for in flavour.

They only take reservations for parties of eight or more, but this isn’t a problem as the waiting area is a nicely designed downstairs bar. Supping a pre dinner drink, you’re perfectly located to smell the wonderful aromas wafting out of the kitchen.

For starters I had the vegetable antipasto plank, which was loaded with wonderful cheeses, pickles and salads. For main course I got stuck into the sausage pappardelle and ended the meal with a dainty creamy panacotta. Every course was a winner, and I only wish I could visit Bath more often. Jamie Oliver doesn’t need my recommendation, but I’m going to give it to the pseudo cockney geezer anyway.

If you want a real treat that won’t break the bank, you should give Jamie’s Italian a go. The only person likely to call the police is the manager, when you refuse to leave till you’ve had a second helping.