On arrival at the discreetly well lit car park at Fairways Lodge, which is very extensive (good to remember for large parties), we found the entrance to the Loft Restaurant very easily.

Once we entered the doors we were greeted just inside by a very friendly member of staff who signs you in if you are booked or books you in on arrival. A waiter/waitress escorts you to your table and asks your drink preferences. Drinks arrive very promptly. The staff are all very pleasant and efficient.

I took my two and a half year old daughter and she was treated with care and seated appropriately in a high chair. She was fussed over - the restaurant certainly caters for children with a special kiddies menu. Hence I chose a meal for my daughter from the kiddies menu!

The ambiance is very friendly and the restaurant was full on the day we went, which was a Friday night. I also noticed that the bar below was also very busy, so it is a very happening place. I suggest if you are planning to go there on the weekend, you book in advance to avoid dissapointment.

The wine list featured a range of white, red and rose wines from countries ranging from Australia, Germany and Argentina with a good rose from USA.

For starters I had the Chicken Caesar Salad which is strips of succluent chicken tossed a salad of cos lettuce, bacon, fresh parmesan cheese, croutons and finished with a drizzle of Caesar dressing. This was delightfully light and very fresh. I took my Mother on this particular occasion and she choose the Garlic and Thyme flat mushrooms to start, this was button mushrooms tossed in thyme and garlic and served on a rosti potato cake with garlic bread. We both thoroughly enjoyed our starters, they came promptly with the kiddies meal so that my daughter didn't feel left out! Which was very thoughtfull of the waitress and chef.

The restaurant, as the name says is actually in the Loft and has beams and a lovely "lofty appearance" and it seats approximatley 40-50 people. The decor is red and gold with delightful pictures on the walls. And the windows on the side above one gives the restaurant an attic, sky light feel.

The Loft caters for parties, while we were having our meal, a party of 16 arrived for a special occasion. I noticed that one gentleman had something that wasn't on the menu, so dietary needs are catered for if you ring in advance. On that note, there is a wide selection of vegetarian meals on the menu including a delightful mushroom stroganoff.

The Loft do "theme" parties all the time, they have a Valentines evening which is a good family event. They are also doing a special carvery for Mothering Sunday.

For our main course, I had the minted char-grilled 8oz lamb steak, marinated in mint sauce and Mum had the 8pz rump steak with a flat field mushroom on top of it. This was served with a port, stilton and mushroom sauce. All meals are served with fresh vegetables and a choice of chips or potatoes. We both chose to have the speciality potatoes for the evening - these were delightfully different roast potatoes sauteed with garlic and thyme. Both our main meals were lovely and served promptly. The presentation was also good. We both enjoyed our meals immensely and highly recommend the Loft restaurant.

Only I had dessert, but we shared as we both couldn't fit in one each!! The portions are generous indeed. There is a wide selection with such delights as Mint Fling and Peach Torte. I had the Mint Fling, which was a surprising mixture of mint cheesecake with strawberry chantily cream and finished with strawberry coulis. A sweet round up to end off the meal. Coffee is also available but we decided not to have any.

Having a meal at the Loft Restaurant is a very enjoyable experience which I hope to do again in the very near future. In addition it is very well priced with a two course meal from Monday to Thursday for only £5.95 per person and a two course meal on Friday and Saturday for just £6.95 per person between 6&7pm.