KEEPING pace with venues that change hands is a headache. We knew this place had changed but thought it had become a pub.

However, although it has a licence, it is suitable for a lunchtime snack, although only sandwiches and salads come within our budget.

It was bitterly cold so the word "warm" on an A-board outside could not be ignored.

A few tables are visible from the street. More are located towards the rear of the building. We chose to investigate upstairs.

Spartan is the description that immediately sprang to mind. There was a bare board floor and the walls lacked decoration. There was a mishmash of tables and the room was not particularly warm.

Each table had its own menu. Home-made soup with a selection of fresh bread cost £3.95.

Scanning the main courses we spotted some unusual items. Jamaican jerk chicken, aioli potato, green beens (oh dear!) and lamb shank with ginger in a chilli sauce were examples. Not all on the same plate, we hasten to add.

Bearing in mind our budget constraints (currently £13.50) Ann dutifully chose a chargrilled salmon sandwich with lime crme fraiche and rocket salsa (£5.95) in white bread.

My selection was ciabatta with chicken breast, bacon and asparagus mayo (£5.95).

There was a significant delay before our meal arrived. The muted background music was pleasant because, thankfully, it lacked a heavy bass beat.

Our food, which had been prepared downstairs, came "with fries and salad garnish". This consisted of lettuce and cherry tomatoes. As for the chips, they were thin, dry and extremely hot.

Ann ranked them as excellent and possibly some of the best we had tasted.

The contents of our sandwiches were generous and tasty. In fact we were both beaten by the quantity.

There was a steady stream of new customers climbing the stairs, plus some from downstairs visiting the toilets. There are disabled facilities too.

By the time we left we were certainly warmed inwardly and ready to face the cold blast outside.

Updated: 08:43 Saturday, February 19, 2005