It is three and a half years since we were last in this venue. At that time it traded under a different name. What has changed?

Certainly not the welcome. We hadn't really taken a seat before a waitress was beside us, pad in hand. At 9.45am we were the first customers of the day. Obviously there are no regulars for the all day breakfast.

This is an attractively decorated caf with a blue and cream colour scheme. Adequate tables, comfortable individual chairs and blue tartan upholstered benches with non smokers segregated. All the ceiling lights had energy effective bulbs.

We sat in a corner and despite every other table being unoccupied, the next two customers to enter chose gregariouslyn to sit on either side of us.

Ann selected a toasted teacake (95p) and a hot chocolate (£1.35). She declined to have it with cream and said her hot and frothy drink was lovely as it was.

I went for the morning coffee, two hot (very) croissants, butter, preserves and a small cafetiere (£3.80). As always we shared the spoils and felt we had received both quality and value. Checking my report of three years ago, prices seemed to have risen about 10 per cent, so no complaints there.

The daily specials boards included chicken and mushroom pie in white wine, pizza, lasagne and quiche. There was also an extensive list of mouth-watering sweets. No main course was priced above £4.95.

Although attractively and efficiently served both the teacake and croissants came on top of serviettes. By the time we had retrieved them they were already greasy. Perhaps a change in presentation might benefit customers.

Restaurant: Baileys

Address: Museum Street, York

Telephone: 01904 651473

Reviewed: March 20, 1999