As you walk the cobbled path to enter, an element of curiosity prevails. Comfortably situated off Barnet Road, The Arkley is a smart village inn and dining, whose pleasingly understated structure and design give a cosy and homely feel. The stripped out inside is a clever fusion of countryside grace and self consciously modish décor with rustic wooden furnishings, neutral tones, sensual textures and eye-catching modern art.

The atmosphere is one of joviality particularly when the sun is out, and the world seems a better place as you enjoy an al fresco meal or lounge in the warmth. The outside of the pub is set with comfortable chairs and benches, easily seating around forty-five diners at a time. For all those special occasions, The Arkley could be just the place with its retro-chic theme and bespoke menus to suit all tastes and budgets.

The kitchen's approach to cooking is mostly modern British, underpinned by a slight Mediterranean focus, with great emphasis placed on sourcing high quality seasonal ingredients. There's something for everyone and all occasions and you will find traditional favourites such as pizzas, steaks and fish and chips interestingly juxtaposed with chef's daily specials.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked Camembert with rustic bread or Greek mezze of taramasalata with humus, tzatziki, feta and flatbread.

Amongst the starters expect to find freshly made soup of the day, oak smoked salmon with buttered asparagus, melon, Serrano ham, feta and chilli ice cream or red onion tart with jersey blue cheese, watercress and roasted vine tomatoes. The salads ? more generally referred to as 'leaves' - offer crispy duck, mouli, carrots, spring onions and plum sauce and for the seafood fiends some smoked trout, prawn, pancetta, creamy lemon dressing, watercress and spinach goes down extraordinarily well.

For the big event look for a fish dish that includes the likes of smoked salmon and prawn fishcakes, baby spinach and hollandaise. The fillet steak with truffled mushroom sauce and frites is well worth trying too, so too the rib-eye steak with jersey blue cheese stuffed mushroom, watercress and fresh horseradish salad. Pastas include spaghetti, asparagus, and lemon mascarpone with poached free range egg, rocket and panagrattato.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgium frites and mayo and sweet potato fritters and Asian dip. For desserts resort to the classics ? chocolate fondant, vanilla pod cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding. Local cheeses enjoy a wide popularity

A sensible wine list that matches the cuisine to perfection trawls the world and comes up with some pretty interesting numbers - almost as interesting as the laconic descriptions, many just one word but very accurate, even if ?regal, intense and youthful? does sound rather like a generous heiress of infinite promise. The Arkley also stocks a wide range of traditional cask ales alongside well known bottled brews.

Check regularly on their Website for menu changes and arrangements for special events and celebrations. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.