I’VE long been a huge admirer of this unique eatery, which encompasses everything I’ve ever wanted in a restaurant.

The food is superb, the atmosphere relaxed and the dining experience always memorable.

Plus it’s just not like anywhere else and never fails to impress visiting guests.

There’s now another reason to keep me coming back for more – half price steak!

I’m a big red meat lover and this fantastic offer now means Wednesday and Thursday night diners can tuck into an utterly divine 8oz filet mignon steak for a tempting £12.

We last visited on a busy Wednesday night. We obviously weren’t the only ones desperate to take advantage of a brilliant offer from a restaurant that has built up a fabulous reputation and is usually buzzing despite its hidden location, just minutes from Bedford Place.

My two companions and I decided to share two starters so as not to spoil the meat lovers feast which awaited us later.

Soon our friendly waitress was clearing two clean plates after we delighted in every mouthful of the delectable chargrilled halloumi cheese with spicy pineapple salsa and tasty dill and smoked mackerel pate.

My mouth-watering medium rare fillet steak, served with a brandy and green peppercorn sauce, chunky hand cut Maris Piper chips, garlic baked field mushroom and charred plum tomato, was cooked to utter perfection.

My companions, who both opted for an 8oz blackened cajun rump, also hailed their main courses a triumph.

There are plenty of other delights on the remainder of the thoughtfully assembled and eclectic menu even if you’re not dining out on a half price steak night.

Having discovered we were celebrating a birthday, owner Debbie even brought us a slab of chocolate cake to round off a superb evening.

We washed our delicious dinner down with a quality bottle of Argentinian Malbec and were pleasantly surprised when the bill for all three of us came to just £50.

A restaurant I constantly rave about, which just gets better and better.

■ Coco Rio, 18a Upper Banister Street, Southampton, SO15 2EF.

Tel: 023 8022 7700.

Web: cocorio.co.uk.