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In the beginning were tasty snacks, and then the Spanish thought up tapas, though nobody seems quite sure about when or why, except that tapa is Spanish for lid, so a hunk of bread placed over a glass to keep out the livestock . . . . . . well, I'm sure you get the rest. I'm equally sure this is not uppermost in your mind as you walk through the welcoming doors of this relatively recently opened family run and friendly tapas bar, Casa Ruiz, in the heart of rural Bridgnorth, where Spain does seem quite a long away off until you look at Casa Ruiz's menu.

The structure of a tapas meal is so simple that even the meerkats would approve - order 2 or 3 dishes to start, see how you like them, then however much you do, scan the menu for a further selection. And so on. And on. The biggest mistake you could make is to miss the fantastic opportunity to savour so many wonderful Iberian flavours, as well as having a thoroughly good meal in the process. The other is to expect too much in the way of sweet finishes. They are included, sure, but tapas tend to concentrate on the savoury side of life.

The tapas form of eating is convivial and flavour haunted, ideal for parties, and Casa Ruiz has a very attractively priced all food-inclusive party menu, during which it is not unknown for Alfonso to get a touch carried away, sending out an enthusiastically generous array of dishes that really gets the party swinging. We commend this excellent addition to the eating houses of Bridgnorth, a worthy champion of Spanish tapas.

The awards list at The Old Vicarage cannot be lightly ignored, unlike some of its kind, amongst them are AA Three Rosettes for food, the Michelin Bib Gourmand and numerous awards for the distinguished wine list. I mention them as the best way of underlining the attention to detail and confidence evident in the cooking.

Once an Edwardian vicarage, the Old Vicarage is now a luxury country house hotel in rural Shropshire, in a quiet and peaceful area near Bridgnorth. It is furnished with antiques, original paintings and limited edition prints. Each bedroom is unique and has its own charm and character. You could choose from a romantic four poster, a sumptuous half tester or perhaps you might prefer the luxury Allscott Room in the Coach House with french windows opening onto its own private garden.

However, it is most famed for its food, and has been included in The Good Food Guide for many years, one of very few in that part of Shropshire; achieving recognition through such signature dishes as homemade black pudding with sweetbreads and a swede and rosemary galette to loin of Bobbington boar with creamed Savoy cabbage.

Formerly the Ball Hotel this attractive pink-washed and well-established gastropub now does a roaring trade in locals and tourists alike. Atmospherically the zing factor is on high alert with cheerful staff and eager punters urged on by the delicious aromas that drift past as waiting staff scurry to and fro.

The food is tasty and without pretension and might include chicken liver pate with red onion jam and toasted brioche or stir fry squid with prawn and chorizo, honey soy dressing, dressed leaf as starters, followed by oven baked fillet of cod wrapped in smoked bacon, cheddar and leek mash, prawn cream sauce or pan-fried Gressingham duck breast, dauphinoise potato, roasted plums, port jus and winding up with a vanilla panacotta.

Practical wine list and a good range of well-kept ales.