THE Rose and Crown has recently become well known, at least locally, for the quality and value of its special meal deals.

For some years it has had a bistro-type restaurant attached to the pub. Refurbishment and the arrival of a popular local chef have attracted a new wave of regulars.

The special deals include: a two-course lunch between noon and 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday, at £5.75; a two-course meal between 5.30pm and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, at £6.50 (£8.25 for three courses); and the Sunday carvery, which costs £4.95 for one course, £6.50 for two and £8.00 for three.

A pleasant looking pub, inside and out, the Crown is close to the crossroads in the centre of the village. There is a small carpark at the rear and room for more vehicles on the roads nearby.

The pub and the restaurant, the latter in two rooms to the right of the main entrance, have traditional cosy pub dcor and are run by exceptionally friendly staff.

Although we arrived shortly after 5.30pm on a Tuesday evening, the tables were quickly filling up.

I chose from the a la carte menu, which offered a wide choice including six steak options varying in price from £7.50 for an 8oz rump to £11.50 for a 14oz T-bone or an 8oz fillet. There was also a good selection on the specials board.

The starters were equally varied, but I chose badly from a list that had duck and chicken liver pat, grilled local black pudding; breaded wedges of brie; Greek salad etc. My Roasted Field Mushrooms in garlic and balsamic vinegar had too much oily liquid for my taste.

I envied my husband his choice of starter from the three-course meal deal: a tasty mini combo with salad garnish and dips. This included well-prepared oriental favourites such as spring rolls and samosa wedges.

My main course made up for any disappointment. It was simple fish and chips with mushy peas, but of a superior quality with excellent cod in a crisp and light batter.

One could have cod baked in Stilton, and other fish choices were seared swordfish steak and salmon Dieppoise.

There was also much hearty fare. Moorland Lamb, Famous Steak and Ale Pie, and 10oz gammon steak, for example. The Cumberland sausage and mash served on an adjoining table looked vast.

The meat-free options, all reasonably priced, were spinach and ricotta cannelloni; quorn sizzler; spicy bean chilli; Mediterranean lasagne; and mushroom and broccoli pasta bake.

My husband's main course, escalopes of chicken cooked in red wine and mushrooms was not exciting, but perfectly acceptable.

All main courses are served with a choice of chips, jacket or new potatoes and fresh vegetables or salad. On this occasion there were four vegetables.

The sweets represent excellent value at £2.65 each, if you're doing the meal course of course. One list of these contains such favourites as cheesecake, warm apple pie, fudge cake, sherry trifle, summer pudding and banana split. You can even get cheese and biscuits.

Another list, also at £2.65, comes under the heading of The Hot Pudding Club. This has sticky toffee pudding, syrup sponge, double chocolate pudding, spotted dick, and jam roly poly, all served with cream, ice cream or custard.

I passed on the sweets, but my husband chose the double chocolate pudding with custard. The pudding was dark and rich, just to his taste. His coffee (£l.00) was good.

There is value for money too among the beers and wines. Between us we had four glasses of a satisfactory house red at £1.95 a glass. Our total bill was £26.75, which explains the presence of so many family parties in the restaurant.

The Rose and Crown dates back to the 17th century and was extended in the early 1970s to include the cottage next door. In former times the Holcombe Hunt started from the pub. These days the Crown has en-suite accommodation.

There's adequate parking at the rear.

Rose And Crown, 41-43 Bury Road, Edgworth, Tel 01204 852 413

Open for food: Mon-Fri 12-2pm and 5-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-8pm

Star Rating: ****