"I hadn't been here since my mother brought me as a teenager in 1965, when it was the Chalet Suisse. We were welcomed by a waitress seeing us coming and opening the door for us, ushered to a table by the window. We both had a fish dish, myself a crab-stuffed fillet of plaice, my wife a seabass paella with mussels. My plaice was succulently fresh, with a subtly spiced filling and sauce, The new potatoes were perfect. My wife is from a fishing family in Brittany so really knows her fish, and her saffron paella met with unconditional approval. The buckshee bread chunks in a basket already on the table were left, so I could enjoy mopping up the last of the lovely flavour of the juice. After polishing off the little extra pot of sweet potato fries, for dessert we had a special, Eton Mess, and banana cream profiteroles, which we swapped half way through, just gorgeous, and a filter coffee to finish off. With a couple of beers all for a fraction over £50 this was extraordinary value. This was no ordinary pub-chain grub. Every dish had something unusual and special to commend it, whether the spicy crab or the tart passionfruit syrup setting off the usually overwhelmingly sweet Eton Mess. This was proper cooking by someone who really knows their stuff, nicely presented but without fuss. Our fellow diners were all friendly and accomodating in a fairly small space, some engaging in jolly conversation with us. The service was attentive, kind. and unobtrusive. There was music but not overly loud and the atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried. I've heard this place mentioned by others before over the years and very much wish we'd made the effort to visit before now, our wedding anniversary. We will go again for sure, and take others with us too!"
