WITH seats waiting for us to see Cats at the Mayflower theatre, it was only ever going to be a brief visit to Joe Daflo's.

The staff weren't phased at all by our scant appearance, as they are more than used to theatre-goers dashing in for a bite to eat before a show at the theatre situated across the road.

Obviously experts at preparing food on demand, no sooner had we chosen from the varied menu than our starters of two portions of ciabatta with garlic and pesto topped with melted mozzarella arrived piping hot from the kitchen.

After ordering this dish we were slightly concerned that our garlic breath may effect others sitting around us in the auditorium, but fortunately for them the garlic flavour was subtle and nothing for us to worry about.

The melted mozzarella on top was that lovely gooey type that could be stretched for miles!

Once our starters had been devoured we found time to take a short breather before our main courses swiftly appeared.

I had chosen warm mille feuilles of field mushrooms, roasted peppers, tomato and mozzarella drenched in balsamic and basil oils. My partner had been ever predictable and opted for his favourite dish of sausages and mash - the Joe Daflo's version dressed up this popular British dish by referring to it as Toulouse sausages with sage mash and cider gravy.

Helpfully we had been warned beforehand not to choose some of the dishes on the main menu as they would take slightly longer to prepare and we would be in danger of missing Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, the all-important scene-setting opening song in the production.

Unaware what mille feuilles were, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it consisted of layers of light pastry crammed full of plump tomatoes, juicy roasted red, green and yellow peppers and tender mushrooms, all topped off with yet more deliciously gooey mozzarella. And I was even more surprised when a bowl of the leanest French fries and another of steamed vegetables were delivered to accompany the dish.

Even more green beans, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots arrived to complement the three plump Toulouse sausages, which were served on a mound of creamy mash and drizzled in tasty gravy.

With no room (or time) for dessert, we paid the bill which came to a very reasonable £27.30, including four soft drinks, and vowed to make a return visit when we didn't have a pressing engagement with an alleyway of cats.

Joe Dafloes is in Commercial Road, Southampton. Tel: 023 8023 1101