Help us choose our Italian Restaurant of the Year - here's the shortlist

You’ve given us five mouth-watering candidates and now it’s time to ensure your favourite nets the top spot.

A pasta or a pizza? Spaghetti or penne? Pepperoni or anchovy?

We all love to sit down to an Italian meal and, with thousands of Italian restaurants in the UK, we all have our favourite.

Now we want you to tell us which local restaurant gets your vote. I

t could be because of the fresh and innovative cuisine, traditional-style dishes, select and exclusive dishes you can find in only the restaurant you use.

Perhaps you love the friendly staff, the traditional style or the outrageous décor of the restaurant?

Maybe it’s so much more than a place you go to for a pizza or a pasta?

Closing date for voting is 10am, Monday, December 18, 2017.

The only way to vote is via the coupon which you’ll find in the paper.

Please be aware photocopied or defaced coupons will not be accepted.

Coupons hand-delivered to the office or any received after the closing date will also not be accepted.

TOP FIVE FINALISTS

SGZ001 Da Vinci, 80-82 Ocean Road, South Shields.

SGZ003 Pacino’s, 136 - 138 Ocean Road, South Shields.

SGZ005 Restaurant Bravi, 7 North Street, South Shields.

SGZ009 Tuscano’s, Winchester Street, South Shields.

SGZ010 Otto Restaurant, 35 Dean Road, South Shields.