Though its name is Italian for “flat,” the food and atmosphere at the pan-Mediterranean food at Piatto is anything but. Located directly on Nelson Mandela Square, this 180-seat eatery is by no means trendy or hip, but it’s a solid choice for a business dinner, a leisurely lunch while shopping, or a special occasion.

The menu is a “best of” mix of Italian, Greek, and Portuguese dishes, including Greek moussaka, lamb kleftico, linguine al pomodorini, veal Parmiggiana, peri-peri chicken and bife a’Portuguesa among many others. I chose the prawn and avocado salad for starters, and for mains had the roasted butternut panzerotti, which was bursting with squash and swimming in a delicious rose sauce. If I could go back again, I’d definitely try something from the extensive seafood menu – perhaps the kingklip Piatto (topped with prawns and capers in a lemon butter sauce) or the queen prawns. Or maybe the schnitzel. Or the steak – which is served with the “famous” Piatto basting or steak rub. Portions are generous, and all dishes come with sides such as mash potato, rice, or chips.

The cigar bar/lounge, leatherbound booths, exposed brick walls and deep burgundy-and-black color scheme and give the place an old-school Mediterranean vibe, and the extensive in-house wine cellar offers options for those who who care about pairing their meat or pasta with the appropriate vino.

Overall, Piatto is a decent place to eat, considering it’s a chain restaurant that doesn’t have much personality and doesn’t have much on the menu that is truly novel or exciting. But it’s tasty and the service is fast and polite. It fits the bill if you’re looking for a quality Mediterranean dinner on the square.