THE Baker’s Arms has always been in the right spot to take advantage of my hunger pains.

When you've been on a day out in Purbeck or West Dorset it's ideally placed for a bite to eat as you head back along the A35 or from the Wareham area. I always remember having fun in the pub garden when I was a child and that is probably the reason why I still have a soft spot for the place.

For our visit the Baker’s Arms was spotlessly clean and is very smart too, with a cosy feel throughout.

It is a shame that you order at the bar though, as that gives it that cheaper pub food feel.

The staff were all very friendly and attentive though so once we were at our table it soon felt more like a restaurant experience.

I decided I only needed one course and that was a tricky choice though as the “chargrill favourites” section of the menu was calling out to me. The wild boar and chorizo burger sounded worth a try and on another day the steaks or even the mixed grill could have been a possibility .

But I managed to resist and the handmade fishcakes soon caught my eye, edging ahead of the fish pie in my choice. The salmon and broccoli mix in the fishcakes worked well and I was pleased with my choice, the salad tasting fresh and crisp with a good herb and mayonnaise dip.

While we were there the Baker’s Arms was also offering its fixed price menu with one course at £6, two courses at £8 and three courses for £10.

My partner took advantage of the two-course option by going for the caesar salad, complete with bacon and a very good tangy sauce.

For her second course she enjoyed her shepherd's pie and it had a nice side of a mixture of different types of green beans. But I thought the pie looked like it had been sat there ready to throw in the microwae upon order.

The children's menu is quite big with two courses and a fruit shoot drink for £6.95 and the prawn cocktail and tomato pasta went down well. We enjoyed the garlic bread that came with it even if our young diner was not so keen.

The Baker’s Arms is not breaking any culinary boundaries with food but it is an efficient restaurant designed to cope with the huge numbers that go through there at times.

It is still good enough to merit a visit there for a special occasion too though, and is great for a family meal.

The Bill

Pint of Carling £3.05
Half pint of Carling shandy £1.55
Children's meal of fruit shoot, prawn cocktail with multi seed bread and butter and tomato pasta with garlic focaccia bread £6.95
Two course meal of Caesar salad and shepherd’s pie £8
Handmade salmon and broccoli fishcakes £7.75
Two x cappuccino £4.20
TOTAL:   Total £31.50