WHEN a caf is full it either demonstrates its popularity or the fact that service is slow.

We secured the only vacant table by the window overlooking Library Square. No sooner had we taken our seats when an assistant appeared to remove empty cups and wipe the table.

Service was slick. We had hardly time to consider the menu before our order was requested. Although hot items such as lentil, potato and bacon soup (£3.10), breaded butterfly king prawns with salad and a chilli dip (£4.95) or shepherd's pie appeared on a chalk board we opted for the standard menu.

Regular tea was £1.35 per pot, coffee £1.25 a cup or from £2.40 for a cafetiere.

Lasagne (£5.60), quiche (£5.10) and giant filled Yorkshire puddings (from £4.95) were other options.

As it was lunchtime, Ann asked for a baked potato with coronation chicken (£4.35). It did not take long to produce the potato.

Ann was not too enthusiastic about food which she said was not as hot as it should have been. This is something we cannot understand because the one commodity any commercial kitchen we have visited is not short of, is heat!

When I ordered a cottage cheese salad (£5.10) Ann raised her eyebrows. However, many of our readers have asked about vegetarian options, so I took this as an opportunity to oblige. I received a plentiful plate of cottage cheese, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, grated carrot and coleslaw. With two slices of brown bread and butter it was adequate for my needs.

I couldn't persuade Ann to have one of her favourite desserts - bread and butter pudding, nor the pecan pie. I thought about the toffee or chocolate or strawberry dream delight (£3.10), but not for long! So we called it a day. By this time the caf was beginning to empty a little but service still remained fast. We shared a glass of Appeltise at £1.80.

Tables are placed close together so conversation from adjacent tables was intrusive. We hope that the two ladies on one side resolved their work problem and the man on the other (on his mobile) really was enjoying his visit to York.

The day after our visit I walked past the caf and once again it was full.

Clearly it is doing something right.

Updated: 10:14 Saturday, April 29, 2006