Through the window the venue looks small. However, the upper floor has plenty of room and is allocated to non-smokers.

There is a good view of the Minster, albeit clad in scaffolding at its east end. The decor is basic. Old bricks are exposed on some walls. Artwork is modern and for sale. Wall mirrors are shaped like church windows.

There is a caricature of the proprietor in nun's habit. This is replicated on the menu as a motif.

The menu is in two parts. The main courses would exceed our budget. However, the interesting range of starters and light snacks were all within our range.

Should we choose garlic mushrooms on toast (£2.50), scrambled eggs (£2.75), alioli with crusty bread (£2.95), Habit house salad (£3.50), mint glazed lamb ribs (£3.50) or pigs in blankets (£3.95)? On inquiry we were told the latter was crispy bacon wrapped in sausage. Sounds appetising!

Ann asked for tomatoes on toast (£2.25). She was delighted with the lightly-toasted brown bread and thinly sliced grilled tomatoes. To follow she selected a toasted hot cross bun (£1.80) and a cappuccino (£1.65). Both proved to be winners.

We were told that everything was homemade. Certainly I can confirm that the farmhouse vegetable soup (£3.25) fell into this category. The added herbs put the soup into the exceptional class. It came with three chunks of warmed bread and both butter and Flora.

The list of puddings included deep pan apple pie, jam roly-poly and treacle sponge. I chose fruit crumble (turned out to be apple) with cream (£3.25). This was excellent and because the cream was served in a small jug, I could add as little or as much as I wished.

The toilets were good, with the ladies on the ground floor and the gents upstairs. The tables have mosaic tiled tops which could perhaps benefit from a scrub rather than just being wiped with a cloth.

Having said that, we had a very tasty and satisfying snack. Asked if we had a York Card, we qualified for the Residents' Weekend discount. What a find!

Updated: 08:32 Saturday, February 05, 2005