THE RENOWNED Newport Italian restaurant Gemelli has been awarded two AA Rosette Awards - and are in line to receive a third. 

The restaurant - located in the Tesco Extra in Newport Retail Park, Spytty - was visited by an inspector earlier today who approached owners and twin brothers Pasquale and Sergio Cinotti to congratulate them on their food and service.

Pasquale Cinotti said the inspection was out of blue and the outcome was a shock to himself, his brother and other staff; but the awards have made them all feel "over the moon".

Mr Cinotti said: "He came in and none of us knew he was an inspector as they act like a normal customer. He ordered a couple of dishes and a dessert.

"At the end of the meal he came up to me and said he was an inspector and he was awarding us two AA Rosettes. It was amazing.

"He said he is recommending us for three but for that there will be another surprise inspection and then we find out if have achieved a third award.

"We are all so happy and over the moon."

The restaurant have previously won an award for Restaurant of the Year at the Welsh Hospitality Awards in 2016 and also the Best Italian Restaurant Award.

Mr Cinotti said people already travel to the restaurant but he hopes the AA Rosettes will bring in more people from further afield to try the food at Gemelli.

He said: "We literally have people travel from Bristol and Cardiff to try our food which is really good, but we think even more people from further away will come to us for a meal."

For more information about Gemelli, visit gemellinewport.co.uk