WHETHER it's a restaurant or a pub, it's always wise to book a table in advance. So it was a bit disconcerting when the Portskewett Inn at Portskewett said there had been no bookings for the nights I enquired about.

Sure enough, on the evening my wife and I attended, just six people were in the dining area when we arrived and we ate our meal virtually alone.

Perhaps the inn is a little out of the way, but all I can say is that the establishment deserves better support, for it offers good value for money.

Even as we arrived, a couple who had enjoyed two meals for the price of one (available Monday to Friday at prices from around £4-50 to £7 from the specials board) were recommending the roast beef dinner as outstanding value.

But we decided to choose from the main menu, with a choice of seven starters and 20 main courses (most of them from £5 to £7).

My wife started with crispy camembert and this was the one minor disappointment - two small portions for £4.55. But I thoroughly enjoyed bacon, cheese and potato longboats (£4.45).

Grilled halibut steak (£6.95) was my main course with my wife choosing chicken supreme with celery and stilton sauce (£6.25).

The vegetables were a little dry and the stilton sauce didn't quite have the flavour expected, but portions were generous.

For sweet, I stuck to homemade apple pie with custard and my wife chose cereal tart with cream, and at just £2.50 they were tasty and large.

Overall the food was simple but enjoyable, the surroundings satisfactory and the service prompt and very friendly.

My wife finished with a cup of coffee and at under £15 for each of us (although we did enjoy a bottle of muscadet), it was a pleasant evening. Paul Tully