I moved away from Soton about 20 years ago but long before that I remember going to La Margaritas next to the Gaumont when it first opened.
I remember it being full so they took me and my then mrs into a back room which was being used as a front room/lounge by an elderly couple with a big smelly dog, they spoke little english but were very friendly and they gave us a free drink.
I used to love eating there, the place was always buzzing and the waiters were always laughing and joking, plus it introduced me to how a proper pizza should taste.
A great place with a cracking atmosphere back then.