When I hear the word Vesuvius I think of the legendary volcano on the gulf of Naples, not the tucked away Italian restaurant on a grubby street in Kent.

But in recent years the eatery has pricked my ears time and time again after friends and family rave about the family-owned business in Maidstone.

Located on Lower Stone Street, which hasn't the best reputation in the town, the proud Italian restaurant boasts its bright blue exterior amidst the bleak and grey aura of the road.

I arrived at the restaurant as it opened at 6pm having made a reservation easily the previous day and was met with a lively and friendly Alessandro Biscardi, who runs both Vesuvius in Maidstone and Il Vesuvio in Tunbridge Wells.

Having been lucky enough to visit Naples and Italy on a number of occasions, the trattoria-style restaurant was just like any you'd see along the streets of the historic city.

The classic red and white chequered table cloth was draped over the small tables as we were given breadsticks and ordered a strawberry daiquiri and coke for the designated driver.

Italian folk music played in the background the clearly popular restaurant began to fill up with customers filtering in and Deliveroo drivers waiting at the door.

As the volume of chatter increased and bums filled seats it was a nice escape from reality and was like little Italy had been brought to Kent.

Albeit as I looked out the window on to Lower Stone Street I wasn't met with the historic buildings of Naples, or the street art which lines the pavements, but a clearly drunk man staggering along the street trying to sell tins of alcohol from a plastic bag.

After becoming fed-up of the drunkard walking up and down the road we had the difficult task of picking from a pleasingly packed menu full of dishes including family recipes and traditional meals from the streets of Naples and nearby Sorrento.

Ten minutes later I'd made my decision and decided to try Polpette Della Nonna - beef meatballs from grandma's recipe - and Pollo Alla Cacciatora, which is pan-fried chicken with pancetta, onions, cherry tomatoes, chilli and parsely served with cubetti potatoes and salad.

My vegan companion, who was incredibly impressed with the amount of dishes on offer, went for the vegan calzone as a main, which was as big as her head, and garlic pizza bread for a starter.

The meat balls and partnering tomato sauce, with a light sprinkle of parmesan, were perfectly cooked and had me considering getting second helpings, while my fianceés garlic pizza bread was too good not to try.

Thin and crispy it didn't look half as good as it tasted but left my mouth watering for the incoming mains.

More than half an hour of chatter and waiting the main courses arrived at the perfect time as I'd just got my appetite back from the filling starter.

The fried cubetti potatoes were crispy and flavoursome and made their way into my top two of potato delicacies - narrowly missing out to the classic roast potato.

While the succulent chicken was juicy with a salty tinge thanks to the pancetta, the mixture of juices and oil provided an extra dimension to mix with the poultry and salad.

I couldn't brave much more than a small bite of the calzone, which was filled with grilled courgettes, aubergine and red onion.

As we sat back, full to the brim with exquisite Italian food, we reflected on our trips to Italy and agreed if anyone wanted an insight into the incredible food the country has to offer then Vesuvius is the place to go.

Coming in at £77 for two daiquiris, two cokes, garlic pizza bread, meatballs, a vegan calzone and pan-fried chicken and pancetta it was pricey, but included a 10% service charge and was completely worth it for the quality of food and support of a family business.

Alessandro and his friendly team have done an exemplary job of turning their small restaurant into a titan in the town.

It deserves a prime location on the High Street and blows away the chains of Zizzi and Pizza Express, but maybe its tucked away venue near the bottom of Gabriel's Hill is what help makes it so special.

I was right to listen to the reviews from friends and family, and I'll be joining them in telling anyone who asks they should visit Vesuvius for a taste of Italy.

Out of five

Food: A perfect insight into some Italian classics taken straight from the heart of Naples. *****

Drink: At £8.90 for a strawberry daiquiri it wasn't too expensive and they tasted amazing. ****

Decor: Traditional Italian vibes, I could have forgotten I was in Maidstone and not on the streets of Naples. *****

Staff: Friendly, helpful and very popular with customers. Magnifico. *****

Price: £77 for two cocktails, two cokes, two starters and two mains, isn't dreadful, but there's cheaper options in the town that aren't family owned. ***