Over twenty years ago we began work on this beautiful old building, at the time a very lovely but unloved, boarded-up schoolhouse. Hundreds of thousands of meals later, we're continually being told we've achieved the status of an institution - only marginally ahead of possibly being confined in one!

Our original idea was to provide a venue for the full gamut of social occasions, in a setting of genteel imperfection serving guests in a grown-up, matter-of-fact sort of way. Despite huge changes in food fashion and fads in style, we think we've pretty well stuck to our objectives and our loyal droves of customers seem to like what we do.

We have a truly great reputation for providing really good food for large numbers of people with more choice than anywhere else and a minimum of fuss. Our food is what it says it is: we call a pie a pie, the bread is fantastic and we make all the soups, sauces and puddings.

Our wine list is spectacular, full of real gems and even the house wines pass muster. We're great at hosting weddings, birthday parties, fashion shows, dinner dances, musical and theatrical events, casino nights, talents shows and even find time to be a restaurant!