YOU are immediately conscious of the musical theme. In the entrance lobby the sign asking you to wait to be seated has been placed on a music stand.

There was only one available table when we entered at 3pm. Two walls were noticeably papered with music scores. Our table was next to undated sheet music for six mandolin solos. The price was 1/4d (about 6p).

We were not pressured into ordering, which was just as well. It quickly became apparent that we would be hard pressed to eat within our budget. Had it not been for the heavy rain we might have walked out at this point!

Many salads and all the hot solo's (why the apostrophe?) were outside our budget.

Hot and cold baguettes cost from £3.50 to £4.75. The cheapest hot items, which included smooth chicken liver pat with port and brandy or tomato and basil pasta grilled with parmesan and pesto, cost £5.95.

Ann spotted Concerto 'duet'. Leek and potato soup with a filled mini baguette (£6.95) was her choice. The quality was excellent and although Ann might have been persuaded to try a sweet she declined.

Perhaps just as well because croissant bread and butter pudding is a favourite. Alternatives might have been carrot, honey and walnut cake (£2.95); fresh lemon tarte (£3.25) or raspberry, cinnamon and almond tarte (£2.95).

I was put off the Concerto 'trio's' by another wayward apostrophe!

Instead, my choice was croque monsieur (£5.95), the posh name for a toasted cheese and ham sandwich. This was nicely served on a stave-decorated plate with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, melon, grapes, potato salad and leaves. A grainy mustard mayo was provided in a separate dish. I quickly became another satisfied customer.

On a cold, wet day, baked cheesecake and espresso with Tia Maria were tempting but enough was enough.

This venue is staffed by pleasant, hardworking assistants who were quick to clear vacated tables, but moving cruets before wiping table tops would not have gone amiss.

Updated: 08:26 Saturday, February 14, 2004