THIS new eatery is perfect for those occasions when you want good food served in comfortable surroundings.

It’s split into two sections – bar area with booths and surf boards for tables as well as the dining room, while upstairs is backpackers’ accommodation, giving the whole place a youthful air.

The interior has a lovely, recently designed feel, with some fantastic locally produced art adorning the walls available for sale – something I love to see in restaurants.

The simple but effective menu offers a good choice without being overwhelming. I opted for the breaded mushrooms to start, which were nice and crispy and came with a lovely garlic mayonnaise.

My companion indulged in the bruschetta which, though delicious (good and tomatoey and liberally doused in tasty olive oil), be warned: it’s an enormous platter, most definitely designed for two, not one.

His 8oz fillet steak (which was locally sourced) was a “fantastic bit of meat cooked to perfection”, with an equally pleasing creamy peppercorn and brandy sauce and the chef’s special sautéed potatoes – all in all a very successful main.

And I can highly recommend my vegetable tower – layers of aubergines, courgettes, onion and tomato with a tasty, cheesy sauce and those amazing sautéed potatoes again.

What with the addition of salad leaves drizzled in balsamic vinegar, my main was too big to finish, but it was a wonderful assortment of tastes and textures.

Full though we were feeling, you’ve got to have a dessert, haven’t you? We opted for the original-sounding Chocolate Crunch Pudding, which didn’t disappoint.

Rich and chocolatey, combining both soft and hard, dark and milk chocolate, it was a very different, but very satisfying, end to a good meal.

The price of our food, with two beers, was a very reasonable £36.50, and I can honestly say it was worth every penny.

We were so impressed we went back for the Thursday night quiz and pizza or pasta for £5 – a real bargain. Not only did we enjoy some more tasty food, we cleaned up on the prizes and we get to go back for a free Sunday lunch!