Lifford Curve

Saturday is currently the day to go as Sundays are already heaving despite the extra cost.

The decor is pleasant and our round, corner table was very comfortable

Ceiling 'bubbles' house CCTV cameras to quietly protect the relaxed atmosphere - or to make you feel like you're in your own version of Big Brother if you spot them! - while the quiet muzak gently isolates you from neighbouring tables which aren't too close in any case.

You pay at the till and then take your receipts to the carver, a genial chap who put our children at complete ease.

In fact, all of the staff without exception were very friendly here despite the fact the self-serve modus operandi probably reduces their scope to earn tips.

Despite the low prices, our carvery food was generally good (much better than Madison's below par Bolognese) and the children's meals each included three scoops of quality ice cream.

Served with a side portion of jam, my rice pudding wasn't creamy enough, but that's preferable to being too sweet.

Our alcoholic drinks were top value (a bottle of Collette's wine would have cost a very reasonable £5.99), but the biggest no-no of the night was her cappuccino.

We both tried it and still left half of what a blindfolded test might have suggested was Nescafe-flavoured dishwater.

THE BILL: Adult carvery £3.99 x 2 = £7.98, Children's carvery £3.49 x 2 = £6.98, Spaghetti Bolognese £3.49, 1pt Banks's Bitter £1.79, 250ml Hardy's Chardonnay £2.50, Rice pudding £1.95, 1 cappuccino £1.20, J20 drinks x 3 = £4.35. Total: £30.24