HAVING discharged a charity obligation in Beverley we recalled a recommendation to visit this venue.

The name suggested a pub but outside it quite clearly states Tea Room and Coffee Shop.

We often bemoan the Brits reluctance to fly their national flag. Not so this caf. Both the Union Flag and the Saltire flutter above the entrance. Why the Saltire we wonder? What is the connection with Scotland? Once inside, there was none that we could detect - except for the mention of Scottish brie on the menu.

Association with the aristocracy is also shrouded in mystery. We thought the menu might explain but all it contained was a history of coffee houses.

His Lordship's Special (£7.60) consisted of chicken breast, almonds, sultanas and apple with curry mayonnaise in pita or multigrain bread. Alternatively Her Ladyship's Afternoon Tea (£6.55) provides a choice of sandwich, scone, jam and cream with either tea or coffee.

Scanning the menu, all the sandwiches were within our budget including the toasted variety for which there would be a 20-minute delay. But the luxury sandwiches, including Scottish brie with either bacon or grapes, were more than £7.

I cannot recall Ann ever having been embarrassed by her choice. When her salmon sandwich in brown bread (£5.55) arrived she was mortified. It was bright orange and by the thickness of the filling must have contained an entire tin of fish. Regrettably she was unable to eat very much.

My selection of toasted crumpets (£1.95) was fine.

Unfortunately the caramel and amaretti charlotte (£2.95) I requested was not available. So I called it a day, apart from the pot of tea (£2.10) we shared.

The day's special for lunch was cheese and broccoli with chips and garnish (£5.50). Other items that caught my eye were chips in a roll (£3.25) and an eight-inch sausage roll (£1.35). Desserts were mostly priced at £2.95 including the "luvable lemon lush".

Everyone else in the caf was tucking into a variety of food. Maybe we were just unlucky.

Updated: 16:19 Friday, September 26, 2003