YOU may think that two visits to McDonald's in a week is a bit over the top, but there was good reason.

On the first occasion, we visited specifically to sample the 'new menu range of Toasted Deli Sandwiches'. The press release said the six toasted deli sandwiches are unlike any other food McDonald's has ever offered.

The warm toasted brown or white rolls are freshly prepared on the spot and include a grilled vegi melt (£2.59), the sweet chilli chicken sandwich or the chicken tikka (all £2.79). There is also roast beef and mature cheddar (£2.99).

We joined the queue at the counter with Ann requesting the chicken salad: grilled chicken layered with tomato, cucumber, onion and iceberg lettuce and Hellmann's extra light mayonnaise (£2.79). My choice was Maasdam cheese with ham and pepperoni (£2.99). It took about five minutes to produce our food which also included a portion of chips and a mug of tea.

I got lost on the pricing but the bill came to £6.98. We chose to sit upstairs where it was quieter but no refuge from mobile phones.

If you are not familiar with McDonald's, the sandwiches come in labelled packets, the chips in a carton and the tea in a lided disposable mug.

The size of the sandwiches did not make for elegant eating. Although very hot when we started, by the time we were half way through the food was becoming decidedly cold. Ann said her choice lacked flavour. I fared better with the pepperoni giving my sandwich a kick.

The chips were acceptable and the tea with cartoned milk nothing out of the ordinary.

The second visit I conducted alone choosing to sit in the area marked 'McCaf'. The tables were labelled 'For use by McCaf customers only'. Despite this, the other tables were filled with customers who had walked through from the main restaurant armed with chips and burgers.

This separate area provides coffee at £1 to £1.90 depending on variety and size. Four paninis were on offer at £2.99 or, combined with a regular coffee, the price would be £3.50. There were also a range of cakes and pastries.

My ham and mozzarella cheese panini (£2.99) was hot, lightly toasted and remarkably good. So was the mocha cake (£1.65) and the pot of tea with fresh milk (£1.20). Quite why the combined cost of these three items came to £4.89 was beyond me. Maybe it has something to do with modern maths!

So two experiences in the same venue, one not to be repeated in a hurry but the other quite pleasant.

Updated: 15:35 Friday, October 14, 2005