FOOD in pub chains can sometimes be disappointing, but The Stonehouse, Lighthouse, Road, Newport, part of Brewer's Fayre, came up trumps with well-cooked and filling meals.

The pub is divided into a family section - where we and our two youngsters found a table - and the rest is strictly adults only which will be appreciated by those who prefer a quieter time.

Although we did not use the child menu it looked quite good with pasta dishes among the usual chips with everything.

Only two of us decided to have starters, chicken wings (£2.75) and garlic mushrooms (£2.90). The wings were plentiful and tasty while the garlic mushrooms were fine although it was a bit disappointing that the garlic dip came in a plastic container.

For the main course, I had chicken and bacon salad (£5.15) which was huge with loads of chicken and crispy bacon.

Two of the party opted for steak - one sirloin and one rump (both £9.10) - which was accompanied by plenty of chips, mushrooms and tomatoes which both enjoyed. The other meal was sausage and mash (£5.25). Four meaty pork sausages and a pile of potato defeated a healthy appetite.

Only one of us was able even to contemplate a dessert and rashly went for a knickerbocker glory (£2.50) which was not like the glories that we used to know but wasn't half bad. Even with the rest of us trying to help, he could not finish it. Two coffees completed a pleasing meal and the final bill, which included drinks, came to £47.35. Jane Helmich.