With its pretty lantern-style outside lights, the Sand Bar has often caught my eye while strolling along Broadway, and stepping inside on an autumnal evening the warmth and comfort of the restaurant immediately appealed.

My companion and I were swiftly seated by the staff and left to peruse the smart mock-croc menus, which contained a great selection of tasty-sounding dishes.

While we dithered, our drinks orders were swiftly taken and dispatched, although we did have to ask twice for our accompanying glasses of water.

To start, I opted for one of my favourite dishes, goat’s cheese tart, with the Sand Bar’s version coming with caramelised red onion and walnuts. Although expensive at £7.99, it was just the right size and attractively presented on a bed of leaves and balsamic reductions. It was tart, tasty and wonderfully complemented by the crumbly shortcrust pastry base and walnuts.

Across the table my companion was tucking into her sauteed cod cheeks, something I’d never known existed until now.

Each parcel of fish was browned to a lovely shade of gold, and came perched on top of cubes of peppers and chorizo, the flavours of which combined for an interesting and enjoyable mouthful.

My main course, a butternut squash risotto, was tasty and filling, with a nice bite to the rice. It was packed with petite chunks of squash and chopped basil leaves.

My companion’s lamb rump came just the right shade of pink, piled above a heap of wilted spinach and accompanied by dollops of goat’s cheese and crispy, fried potatoes, topped with a rich gravy.

The lamb was tender, tucked inside a cushion of fat to keep all the flavour in, which went well with the chunky spuds and lovely gravy.

For dessert, we decided to share a sticky toffee pudding. The chunky dark sponge, topped with lashings of butterscotch sauce and ice-cream, made it a satisfying super-sweet dish.

Overall, the meal was very enjoyable, with good portion sizes and quality ingredients. The prices might make a trip to the Sand Bar a treat rather than a regular supper haunt, but once in a while a bit of indulgence does every girl good.

What we ate Walnut, goat’s cheese and caramelised red onion tart £7.99 Sauteed cod cheeks with sweet peppers and chorizo £4.99 Rump of lamb with spinach, potatoes and goat’s cheese £18.99 Butternut squash and spinach risotto with parmesan £12.99 Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and ice cream £5.99

Our verdict (out of five) Atmosphere 4 Food 4 Decor 4 Value 3 Service 4 Disabled access Yes