Percy Arms, The

The newly upgraded Percy Arms presents a lively and family-conscious gastropub, with quality food as a main aim. The non-smoking restaurant and patio offer even more space to enjoy the well-respected menu at this handsome eating-house.

In addition to the unique butcher counter for those who wish to indulge in some creative selection, both by weight and topping, there are now Tailor Made Burgers, of the same high standard as the rest of the meat.

The high turnover means that a wide menu range can be comfortably accommodated, starting with The Percy Arms which includes a Sunday menu, The Garden menu, a menu for the Christmas season, and yet another for Christmas Day itself, the latter I happen to notice carrying a brilliant solution to the ever-present turkey by including on the same dish honey and mustard roast gammon.

The Percy Arms menu is essentially what might have once been termed a brasserie version, packed full of comfort food. A quick study of the starters gives the picture with classic moules marinières, Italian bruschetta with tomato ciabatta topped with fresh tomato basil, buffalo mozzarella and pesto, Scottish smoked salmon served on warm new potatoes, sliced Boerewors - South African farmer's sausage - served with a spicy dunking sauce, or their answer to tapas-frenzy, 'Finger Munchies' with onion rings, chicken goujons, chicken wings, garlic bread and potato skins, all served with garlic mayonnaise and spiced tomato salsa.

A good range of salads can be served as starters or main courses and include the traditional ploughman's, beef carpaccio and seafood, with the accolade reserved for their own Niçoise, a masterpiece of its kind.

Naturally steaks feature largely, with Aberdeen Angus fillet, rib eye, sirloin and rump all ready on the butcher's counter. All customers need to consider is the type and size, how they would like it cooked and what they would like alongside it. Toppings include Bordelaise, creamy blue cheese, Diane, and creamy garlic. For the traditional their choice can be made and reef and beef rub marbled sides with tournedos Rossini, Carpetbagger of The Percy Arms Hillbilly steak, an 8 oz rib eye with mushroom sauce, topped with cheese, bacon and fried egg, encircled by onion rings.

The Summer Garden Menu acknowledges the demands of the season with lighter food and more al fresco dishes available, the odd Roquefort or Caprese salad, Mediterranean pasta, a curry of the day, gourmet sausages served with leek mash, and wholetail scampi.

But whatever the season their undertaking is the same - 'Please note we don't do fast food: we do good food as fast as we can...'

Sunday lunch at The Percy Arms is legendary in the area. As well as a menu that embraces all the family there is the famous carvery offering a choice of roast beef, lamb, turkey, pork or gammon, with plenty of Yorkshire pudding and gravy, all at under £10 a head or £4.95 for the younger members.

The Percy Arms is one of those places that deserves to be popular. There is a wholehearted commitment on the part of the staff, creating the sort of spirit that transmits itself to the customers. Just thinking about going for a meal here will make you feel happy!