The community of Prestwick, which is really a conurbation slotted in between the steadily growing Prestwick Airport, and the old county town of Ayr, has long been crying out for a town restaurant that will satisfy the café society of all three - and Elliots does it brilliantly.

Three of us, the happy victims of kitchen gossip that made breakfast at home seem untenable, rolled in for brunch or lunch - it matters not - and were lucky to get a table in The Terrace, a recent addition to Elliots that dominates the long street of shops and houses that line the way to the nearby airport. Friendly and efficient service produced a meal of Scottish tapas, Cullen skink (the famous Scottish alternative to chowder), a mussel tart, full Scottish breakfast - and I do mean full - a bottle each of Lemage sauvignon and Moondarra shiraz, and copious amounts of black coffee, not necessarily in that order.

Around us tables occupied by people of all ages and background blended happily together. Elliots is lively in a way that is instantly appealing, unless you are looking for a sociability bypass. A dinner menu pays full heed to such dishes as best end of Ayrshire lamb, sesame crusted duck breast and oven baked chicken supreme stuffed with haggis, as well as a good range of steaks and sauces.

The Skyy Bar is available for private hire, including your cocktail barman for the evening, and you pay for the cost of the buffet only, with an excellent selection that includes blackened chicken with barbecue glaze, duck spring rolls, and assorted dim sum.

Open from 8.30am till 10.00pm daily Elliots caters for every restaurant mood and need. It has been going for nearly four years, is constantly expanding, offers spectacular value for money, and has changed the face of eating out in this attractive corner of Ayrshire.