Having looked longingly at the 'specials board' outside the

Old Fleece every time I drove past the picturesque pub on the

A46, my partner and I finally got round to visiting.

It's a popular place and even on the weekday evening when we

visited, it was busy. Nevertheless service was prompt and

attentive and we were made to feel welcome immediately.

It takes time to peruse the menu at the Old Fleece. It's

extensive. There are an array of starters, light bites, main

meals to suit a vast range of tastes. And there's also an

ever-changing specials board.

My partner started with coriander and mint houmous, tomato

salsa, spiced olives and warm pitta bread (£4.95). I picked an

option from the specials board, fig, parma ham and feta salad

(£5.25).

My salad was a lovely combination of flavours, sweet figs

with the crisp feta and salty ham.

My partner reported that his houmous and bits and bobs was

also lovely - his only moan was that he would have liked

another piece of bread! But no doubt the Old Fleece team knew

that he should save his appetite for his main course.

Again I picked a 'specials' option; duck breast with a honey

and red wine and red cabbage (£14.75) while my partner plumped

for sea bream with asparagus and red pesto (£14.95). We both

ordered salad and new potatoes as an accompaniment (we could

have had vegetables, fries or dauphinoise, potatoes, but we

both decided to be calorie conscious).

My partner's whole sea bream was tasty, but he was

particularly impressed with his buttery asparagus, generously

offering me a spear so I could share the experience.

My duck was faultless, with a gorgeous gravy that would

almost justify licking the plate.

The desert list featured traditional favourites such as

banoffee pie, raspberry fool, chocolate brownie with chocolate

sauce and crepes with dark chocolate sauce.

I plumped for a pecan pie with a toffee sauce (£5.25) which

was a glorious mixture of rich flavours and textures.

With a few glasses of wine our bill came to £59 for the two

of us. Like so many of us it's a rare treat for my partner and

I to enjoy a peaceful meal together, and our night out was

perfect.

The food was great, service impeccable and the atmosphere

perfectly relaxed for a summer evening.

Victoria Temple