GOING out for Sunday lunch is a real family treat - especially for the usual cook - and Harpers Restaurant in Newport's Holiday Inn did not disappoint.

After being greeted by the charming maitre d', we were shown to our table and the buffet system as quickly explained.

The tables were well spaced so you did not feel like you were sharing your meal with the strangers on the next table.

Starters, the main course and most of the desserts are laid out in the middle of the restaurant.

After directing the youngest member of our group away from the black forest gateau, he opted for a cream of broccoli soup.

This was declared a winner and, having cadged a taste, I can confirm he was right. Thick, cre-amy and tasty - just the thing to chase away the cold. The rest of us opted for the cold selection which included melon, fish, rice, salad and couscous.

We then moved on to the main course. As well as the traditional roast meats - pork and beef the day we were there - there was also a delicious looking salmon dish and a vegetable crumble.

After the chef carved us a generous helping of meat - the beef was lovely and tender but the pork was slightly too chewy for some tastes - we helped ourselves to good selection of vegetables.

All were cooked well but the roast potatoes were given top marks by the experts in our party and the gravy was excellent.

We were able to help ourselves to a choice of two gateaux or trifle and the waitress also offered bread and butter pudding or ice cream. Just a minor gripe, I wou-ld have liked the choice of a lig-hter dessert, perhaps fruit salad.

Although we helped ourselves to most of our food there was a waitress to bring our drinks and clear the table between courses.

The bill came to £44.40, including a round of drinks, for two adults and two children. Overall, a relaxed and enjoyable experience - and please can I have the recipe for the gravy. Jane Helmich