CAFES come and go and here is another one renamed and under new ownership.

There were four of us on this visit and we had to sit at two tables. Strangely, we were not greeted with enthusiasm although the staff were quick enough to clear tables when it was apparent we could not sit together.

The table menu offered two specials. Scone, toasted teacake or Danish pastry with a pot of tea or cup of coffee cost £2.25 while a round of sandwiches, cake, scone and jam with tea or coffee cost £5.95.

The full menu was supplied by an assistant and then removed when you had ordered. From my point of view, this technique hampers what I can remember about the range of food on offer. There was an all-day breakfast (£5.50), mini breakfast (£2.95), sausage casserole, filled Yorkshire pudding and lasagne each priced at £5.95.

Sandwiches, either fresh or toasted, and soup could be ordered and the specials board offered Cornish pasties with mash (£3.95).

I was exceptionally thirsty and asked for a pot of tea straight away with a Danish pastry later. For two weeks running I have been presented with a pot that poured superbly. The other three in the party asked for iced tap water. The assistant did not look pleased that we didn't want bottled mineral water and told us there was no ice. Really?

Ann and one cousin both asked for the turkey with cranberry in a bread bun. To Ann's surprise the cranberry came in a separate dish as did the garnish.

Our other cousin, home from New Zealand, had a cheese and pickle sandwich while I opted for one toasted with ham and tomato. It took me a long time to catch the eye of the assistant to hustle up the pastry that went with my tea. This turned out to be one of the tastiest I have eaten for a long time.

Service was reasonably quick but other customers seemed to be waiting an age. At one stage I noticed an assistant leaving the premises to return with more lettuces. Shortly thereafter salad orders were fulfilled.

Before paying our combined bill of £18.60, I received an apology that the pastry had been delayed and a hope that "everything had been all right".

Updated: 16:05 Friday, June 20, 2003