The New Inn - Room at The New Inn

We thought we would join the thousands of people who have Sunday lunch at a country pub each week, and, as we were in the northern part of North Yorkshire in the morning, we would call into a place on the way back to York.

We had drawn up a list of three possible eateries. The first looked quite promising, but it was extremely busy. We hadn't booked but we were told we could eat in the bar area when a table became free.

But we never got that far as my partner Jayne, a vegetarian, was not too impressed with the only non-meat dish on the menu. And she was not the only one as two other vegetarians about turned and left.

We gulped down our drinks and followed suit, heading for the next pub on the list a few miles further on. After negotiating the icy country roads on an extremely cold day we arrived a Number Two but wished we hadn't.

It didn't look the most hospitable of places so it was off to the village of Huby, just a few miles south of Easingwold, and to Number Three - the New Inn, which despite its name is believed to be about 600 to 700 years old.

It is a former coaching inn, full of character, standing on what was once the main coaching route from York to northern England. It was 1.30pm and we hoped the pub was still serving food. We were in luck, we had made it with half an hour to spare.

But was there any room at the Inn for two very hungry, very tired, very cold and very irritable eating out writers? The restaurant was packed but we managed to find a table in the rear bar which had a very welcoming, roaring open fire - just what was needed to warm us up.

Something else which gave me and my wallet a warm glow was the prices. A three-course Sunday lunch with coffee was just £7.95 a head, although you can have two courses or just the main dish if wanted.

We both went for the homemade Yorkshire puddings with onion gravy for starters and were not disappointed. The mixture was just right and they were crisp, without being burnt.

There was quite a selection of main courses for meat eaters, including roast beef with horseradish sauce, game pie and chicken and ham pie, but I went for the poached chicken with apricot sauce.

Again there was only one option for vegetarians, which got Jayne's hackles up a bit. "We deserve a choice too, " she moaned.

I had never tried poached chicken before and I was rather surprised. It was delicious, very tender and moist and the apricot sauce complemented it so well.

Jayne enjoyed her vegetable and cheese bake - although the cheese seemed to be in short supply. It was more like ratatouille, with tomatoes featuring quite heavily.

Both dishes came with fresh, seasonal vegetables including roast and boiled potatoes, cauliflower florets and carrots.

The sweet menu looked so tempting that we couldn't resist. I chose toffee crunch pie with cream, while Jayne went for hot chocolate fudge cake with ice cream and cream. Both portions were huge but we still managed to polish them off. They were divine.

After our coffees we had the chance to explore the pub. It's full of character with low beams everywhere. Each room has a particular theme.

The one we dined in had pictures of racehorses and hundreds of entry tickets to Britain's racecourses. It was also home to Silver the parrot, who slept through our visit although she is known to say the odd word or two.

There is also an aviation room with paintings of planes dating from the last war through to the modern day and a fox hunting room where a stuffed fox's head and a couple of brushes sit next to paintings and hunting horns.

It's a place we will definitely be making a return visit to.

Restaurant: The New Inn

Address: Main Street, Huby

Telephone: 01347 810393

Reviewed: February 13, 1999

Food: Very good, although more vegetarian choices would be appreciated

Value: Excellent

Service: Friendly and efficient

Ambience: Traditional country pub with themed rooms.