WE'D been to Harvey's Restaurant many moons ago and decided it was high time to pay another visit after a few complimentary recommendations from friends.

The restaurant is situated at Akeld Manor and Cottages, a holiday complex – built out of redundant farm buildings – only a matter of yards from the A697.

The complex comprises a small manor house, a group of Grade II-listed self-catering holiday cottages and a leisure facility with a swimming pool and gym.

The family-run licensed restaurant is tucked in among the complex but is franchised from it.

It is run independently and welcomes members of the public not connected to the complex. You pass the swimming pool on the way to the restaurant.

The restaurant is very welcoming and is nicely decorated in what could be described as a rustic manner. It is akin to an old-fashioned farmhouse and is cosy.

The restaurant prides itself on locally sourced home-cooked food.

Thumbs up so far. It has a wide menu but as it was Sunday we opted for the traditional roast lunch – £7.45 – served from noon until 2pm.
There was pork, beef and half a chicken from which to choose. I went for the pork, my parents the beef.

No sooner had we ordered than it was in front of us. We were impressed with the fast service.

Each meal came with a Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, roast potatoes and a parsnip. Vegetables – carrots, savoy cabbage and green beans – came separately in two dishes so there was plenty for the three of us. The carrots were firm but cooked enough not to be hard.

We asked for apple sauce and horseradish sauce and they came in little rustic-style pots. I did like the crockery!

The mashed potatoes and parsnips were lovely and I couldn't fault my pork.

My parents' beef was a little chewy but fine nonetheless.

If we hadn't gone for the traditional option, for starters we could have had salmon baskets – fresh Scottish salmon baskets stuffed with prawns, drizzled with sweet chilli sauce and served with salad – £4.65, Cajun vegetable and Brie melts – spicy Cajun vegetables on organic bread with melted Brie and salad – £4.35, duck and port pate – smooth pate served with a warm cranberry sauce, salad and organic bread – £4.25, warm duck salad – roast duck served on a bed of green salad with a warm spicy dressing – £4.65, homemade soup of the day, served with organic bread and butter – £3.45.

The main courses are slow-roasted lamb shank served with minted gravy, potatoes or chips and fresh vegetables (£9.25), steak and ale pie served in a puff-pastry dish with potatoes or chips and fresh vegetables (£8.45), Eyemouth haddock in a beer batter served with salad and chips (£8.10), Stilton chicken – breast with leek and Stilton cream sauce – served with potatoes or chips and fresh vegetables (£8.95), homemade lasagne served with salad and chips (£8.35), pork medallions served with mustard mashed potatoes and roasted onion cream sauce and fresh vegetables (£8.25), homemade roasted vegetable lasagne served with chips and salad (£8.35), woodland mushroom stir fry – mushrooms and vegetables with egg noodles, stir fried in a black bean sauce (£8.45).

From the grill, the restaurant offers 10oz Glendale rump steak served with onion rings, tomatoes, mushrooms, salad and chips (£12.95), 16oz hand-cut gammon steak served with pineapple, tomatoes, mushrooms, salad and chips (£10.45) and Glendale 8oz rib eye Highlander steak topped with haggis, covered with a whisky sauce served with potatoes and fresh vegetables (£15.95).

Vegetarian choices are available and other dietary needs can be met on request.

The children's menu includes chicken fingers, pizza fingers, lasagne, sausages and haddock, all £4.45.

When my mum rang up to book, she'd been told that all the sweets were home-made so we didn't need much persuading when we were given the chance to look at the sweet menu.

There was cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, lemon tart, Eve's pudding and apple and berries crumble, all at £4.25.

This time we all opted for different things – my dad the Eve's pudding with custard, my mum the lemon tart with cream and I went for the crumble with ice cream.

My dad loved his pudding and my mum's tart, which came with a slice of lemon, was very nice.

I, however, was disappointed with my choice. I was expecting a good old-fashioned sweet crumble but the topping consisted of a muesli-style substance with almonds. Not being fond of nuts, this was an added negative point.

It came in an individual pudding dish which was a nice touch and I'm sure other more health-conscious diners would have thought it was delicious.

There was a specials board containing such dishes as cheesy mushrooms and pan-fried haggis to start and Cumberland ring and sea bream for main courses.

We had been the first people in on Sunday but by the end most of the tables were full with one large booking waiting to be seated.
The bill with a lager shandy and two soft drinks came to £41.10.

STAR RATINGS (out of five)
Quality of food 3.5
Choice 4
Vegetarian choice 3
Value for money 4
Atmosphere 4
Service 4
Children catered for 3.5
Disabled access 5
(separate entrance avoiding steps)
Disabled toilets No, but staff say regular toilets accessible
Overall experience 3
Verdict: An enjoyable meal out in pleasant surroundings.

Contact details: Harvey's restaurant, Akeld Manor and Cottages, Akeld, Wooler, NE71 6HY. Tel: 01668 283089