WALKING in to the Market Tavern you wouldn't think it was much different from any other pub.

However, tucked away at the back is a small, but stylish, dining area with chunky dark-wooden tables and chairs and a cosy feel.

Having not taken much notice of the boards around the pub we were told, by an unenthusiastic waiter, that the choices for a roast dinner were lamb, pork or beef.

Not a great start for one of us who didn't eat red meat.
We weren't given any menus as such, there was one board displaying the choices of meat, but there were no starters and no vegetarian option on the board.

When we asked the waiter about a vegetarian option he said: "I can ask for you".

When we arrived at the pub it seemed fairly empty but in the dining area we took the second-last table.

I decided to go for pork, James, lamb, and our other halves the beef, although one of them didn't like red meat so shared the beef with us.

We were also asked if we wanted vegetables, by our sullen waiter. We said: "Yes."
There was a nice atmosphere about the pub, music was playing in the background and the chatter of people talking over their dinner was enticing.

Our food didn't arrive very quickly but when it did it was steaming hot, and covered in gravy.
We each got a Yorkshire pudding and two roast potatoes, which were very similar to some frozen varieties I know. I also got a dollop of stuffing with my pork.

We got a huge dish of mashed potato to share and carrots, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower – enough to feed all of us and go back for seconds. The vegetables were nicely-cooked and tasted very fresh.
The meat was also really good, my pork was tender and not fatty as can sometimes be the case, the beef was a little chewy but nice all the same while the lamb was flavoursome.

The portions were excellent, considering the pub offers two roast dinners for £10 and we were impressed at the size and quality of them.
I was impressed with their selection of condiments.

But despite their large portions, our sweet teeth were telling us that puddings were needed.
There were three choices – caramel apple betty, cherry cheesecake and chocolate fudge cake – each served with either cream or ice cream, all at £3.95.

Intrigued at what it was, I decided to choose the caramel apple betty served hot with cream, as did my other half.
James went for the cheesecake and ice-cream and his other half, the chocolate fudge cake served hot with ice-cream.

Deciding to pay a visit to the little girls' room I was mightily disturbed by an alarm going off accusing me of smoking in the toilets, which I was not.
The waiter, jokingly accused me and then said that it was faulty.
It is a good idea but a bit annoying when you walk out of the loos and everyone looks at you as if you've committed a crime.

Although they were nice, the desserts were a bit of a let-down compared to the main course.
The caramel apple betty was like an apple pie with a layer of caramel on the top which went all gooey when heated, it was good but you could taste that it was shop-bought and not made by the chef.
The cheesecake still had indentations on the side where it had been peeled out of its foil wrapper, and the chocolate fudge cake, similarly so.

For a total of £43.80, including eight soft drinks, the meals and desserts for four people, it was very reasonable.
I would probably go there again for a cheap and cheerful Sunday lunch. For the price the roast dinners were of a decent quality.

STAR RATINGS (out of five)
Quality of food * * *
Choice * * *
Vegetarian choice * *
(offer if you ask)
Value for money * * *
Atmosphere * * * *
Service * * *
Children catred for * * * *
Disabled access * *
(steps to get in, are able to sit in the bar but steps up to the dining area)
Disabled toilet NO
Overall experience * * *

VERDICT: A cheap and chearful Sunday Lunch in Pleasent surroundings.

Contact details: Market Tavern, Fenkle Street, Alnwick, NE66 1HW.
Tel: 01665 602579