IF you don't mind paying a little extra for quality food then Dine fits the bill.
Our meal, which consisted of two starters, two main courses, one bottle of house wine and one pint of beer came to £66.50.
Pricey, yes, but also good value for money because the exquisite Bradshaw Road establishment is a little hidden gem.
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Surrounded by countryside, the evening begins the moment you climb out of the car and savour the beautiful location.
The restaurant itself has the feel of a large detached cottage which has been emptied and replaced with seven variously sized tables in the large room and a further six in a smaller room.
My wife and I arrived at 7.45pm to an empty restaurant - indeed, only two other couples dined during the hour we were there on a Thursday evening - and the constant impression is that this is one classy joint.
The high-backed, slim leather chairs, wooden floors and unusually-shaped plates and pleasant background music combined to set a comfortable, relaxing and informal tone which was continued by the friendly waiter and waitress.
Then came the food which lived up the recommendations we received after two visits from family members.
The initial tastebud treat came in the form of a selection of warm, freshly-baked bread made with sun-dried tomatoes, apricots and cheese.
On to the starters and I finished my hugely tasty starter of black pudding, white pudding and pan seared fillet of trout with grain mustard and vermouth sauce, at £6.75, wishing I had had more than the modestly sized portion.
My wife's marinated goats cheese, wrapped in filo pastry and lightly fried and served with a sweet orange marmalade, at £6.45, was a decent helping, fairly strong and, I was assured, delicious. The choice of 10 starters begin at £4.25 for either one of two soups while the meat and fish main courses are priced in the late teens, apart from the choice of six pizzas which are either £10.95 or £11.25.
I opted for the fillet steak, served in an avocado, pancetta and dolcelatte sauce, at £19.95, which was, quite simply, the best I have ever had.
It was a good size, extremely thick, and exactly as rare as I had asked for.
It comes with saute potatoes and a small portion of vegetables, and side orders such as new potatoes, chips and salad (all priced at £3.50) are available at extra cost.
My wife decided against one of the exotic pizzas in favour of the lamb, which was cooked in red wine and pearl barley and served with croquet potatoes, and a red wine and red currant sauce, priced at £17.50. The verdict: exquisite.
We avoided one of the four puddings, three priced at £5.65, the ice cream and sorbet, at £4.50, and the cheese, priced at £7.25, and asked for the bill which also included a pint of Lancaster Bomber bitter at £2.90.
Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday: 5pm to 10pm; Thursday and Friday: 12.30pm to 10pm; Saturday: 12.30pm to 11pm; Sunday: 12pm to 9pm; Tuesday: closed.
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