AS you wander along Poole harbour, you can’t fail to notice that a few restaurants and bars are now boarded up. But the Coffee Club on the Quay is thriving, and once you’ve dined there, it is easy to see why.

First of all there is a big, reasonably priced menu (ten pages) ranging from Oriental stir fries, gourmet burgers and chargrilled meats to stone baked pizzas, pasta, salads as well as set lunch deals and a children’s selection.

As Jackie, the assistant manager said, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Unlike the Salvador Dali inspired wall murals apparently. Personally I didn’t mind them as I felt they added to the Mediterranean-style ambience – which the owners have pitched just right with subtle background music and lighting.

The Coffee Club, which opened in May and is the sister restaurant to the one in Westbourne, is situated over two floors with an array of marble topped tables and soft, brown leather chairs.The Harbourside Restaurant upstairs opens during the summer.

For starters I had Mediterranean King Prawns (£7.95) five plump crustaceans served in their shells sizzling in garlic butter with white wine, herbs and warm, crusty bread.

My husband chose mussels (£7.50) (you had a choice of mussels three different ways – he opted for Mariniere).

Although the mussels weren’t huge, the sauce was exquisitely rich and creamy.

For mains I had Thai chicken and prawn stir fry (£12.95) which was a real feast served on a bed of rice in coconut milk with shredded carrots, spring onions, mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, courgettes, mange tout, bean sprouts and a sprinkling of sesame seeds on top. There was just enough heat to set your taste buds tingling.

Meanwhile my husband was wondering where to start with his huge plate of slow cooked baby back ribs and chicken fillet (£14.95).

If you have a sweet tooth and large appetite, there is a good selection of desserts, ranging from Dime Bar Pie (£3.95) and cheesecakes to classics like Eton Mess (£5.25).

We are planning to return to try the full English breakfast for £6. Judging by the portion sizes here, we won’t need to bother with lunch afterwards!