WE have shunned this venue for some time, finding it on the expensive side when we last visited. Would our recently increased budget of up to £13 enable us to try the menu at last?

This is an L-shaped restaurant with a servery at one end. In the courtyard, there are picnic-style tables, some occupied on this mild March afternoon.

The open sandwiches of the day, all at £5.45, sounded appetising. Brie with sweet pepper and tomato chutney; coronation chicken and toasted almonds; roast ham and pineapple were on offer.

For Ann, the lemon and coriander poached salmon, dill, crme fraiche and cucumber ribbons open sandwich couldn't be bettered. This was ordered at the servery but brought to the table after a ten-minute delay. Served on two types of bread, there was an ample helping of fish, garnish and some upmarket crisps.

"Absolutely delicious" was Ann's verdict "and so attractively presented". So with a pot of tea (£1.65) there was one satisfied customer.

My choice was not so easy. I helped myself to a bowl of roast tomato and fennel soup (£2.95). This proved to be extremely hot, possibly dulling my taste buds because I could not detect the fennel. However, slices of three different breads, with adequate butter, which came with the soup, were quite distinctive.

It was 4.15pm and the place was filling up. Five of the customers were known to us, but tactfully refrained from asking what we were doing.

I looked at the good-sized scones, plain at £1.50; lemon, sultana and ginger at £1.65 or red onion, olive and cheddar cheese at £1.75, but moved on to the cakes. Choosing a lemon and raisin bar (£1.75), I was delighted by its strong flavour. Alternatively, I could have selected muesli cookie, Dundee cake, chocolate cake or even shortbread.

It is unlikely that we could have eaten so cheaply at midday but for £11.80 we felt we had value for money in pleasant surroundings.

Updated: 09:49 Saturday, March 20, 2004