A GENERATION of food lovers got their first ever taste of Italian cuisine at Ristorante Adriatico when it opened in Woodford Green more than three decades ago.

The Guardian decided to speak to the owner of the landmark eatery to find out why so many of those customers, and their children and grandchildren, still consider it to be the area's finest.

When Mario Zeppa, 70, first visited Woodford Green in the 1970s he spotted a hole in the market for Italian food.

The grandfather-of-five eventually opened a restaurant in the High Road in May 1976 - naming it after the Adriatic coastal region of Italy, where he was born and raised.

Adriatico quickly gained an army of loyal fans drawn by its authenticity and traditional Italian charm, with local celebrities such as former England striker Teddy Sheringham still rumoured to be frequent visitors.

Mr Zeppa, who now also owns the nearby Pizzeria Bel-Sit and another restaurant in Italy, said many of his original customers still eat regularly at the restaurant.

He said: "I saw the potential here and I've been lucky, we've been very successful.

"We serve all sorts of Italian food, but I decided to focus on fish because where I'm from is by the Adriatic sea.

"I've still got some customers who had been coming here since we opened.

"When they first came here they could dance but now they have to walk with sticks.

"It's true that we've had lots of famous people eating here down the years, like Manuel out of Fawlty Towers and footballers, but I just treat everyone the same."

Mr Zeppa, who lives with his wife Merry in nearby Mellish Gardens now leaves much of the day-to-day running of the restaurant to his manager Francesco Mirti, 35.

Mr Mirti, a father-of-two, said one of the secrets of Adriatico's success is its focus on fresh produce.

He said: "We buy fresh fish from Billingsgate every day, and use top quality meat.

"Our chefs are Italian, and we make our own pasta and try to use products brought in from Italy whenever possible.

"People like coming here because they are able to relax and are not hassled. They can just enjoy the food.

"I started working here ten years ago and know many of our customers very well.

"There is definitely a good community here."

For more information about Adriatico call: 8505 7324‎.