Or rather, The Canute Pub – named after King Canute – was our host.

Unlike its namesake, it didn't try to hold back the waves, but it got a fairly good hold on our appetites.

Things got off to a cracking start, as staff chucked in a few bottles of pink champagne and balloons, for a colleague who was leaving the paper after four years for pastures new.

The pub is part of a chain, but slightly classier than some of its high street counterparts, with bright, airy surroundings, and a welcoming atmosphere from the friendly staff.

The Canute has a varied menu, chock-full of tasty treats at pocket-friendly prices. It is the perfect place for a relaxed party meal out.

After dismissing the butternut squash risotto and fusilloni Da Vinci, I chose the vegetable chilli with rice, adding some cheeky nachos and sour cream for an extra quid. It was delicious, and tasted really home-made, although I am not sure if this was entirely true. It was perfectly proportioned and had just the right amount of spice.

The departing Andrea Borrowdale plumped for a medium rump steak, and said it was cooked exactly to her liking.

She was also pleased that the jacket potato she requested was nice and crispy.

She shared some beer-battered onion rings with a friend, who opted for cajun chicken, and it went down a treat.

The mains arrived thick and fast, along with a Thai green chicken curry for Helen Mullins, complete with rice and a naan.

She said it compared well to other similar dishes she had in other pubs, and gave full thumbs up to the creamy yet tangy sauce.

Rounding off the orders for our party were Debbie Lockett and Graham Smyth, with sausages and mash, which came in mammoth portions in tempting-looking bowls.

Graham commented on the creamy mash, and that the sausages were beautifully seasoned.

Judging from the way they tucked into their meals, I’d say it was an order well made.

We were all pretty hungry that evening, but anyone fancying a lighter bite would not have been disappointed.

There is an in-depth enough range of salads, jackets, burgers, deli sandwiches, melts and wraps on offer, to give you reason to return.

Sadly, our evening was cut short with plans to move on to a band night at the pub around the corner, but there were plenty of tempting puds, had we had the time to indulge.

We could have taken our pick from plum and almond streusel, rich Belgian chocolate fudge cake or warm apple and cinnamon pie – not to be sniffed at for £2.95 a slice.

The Canute experience wasn’t so revolutionary that I would jump to recommend anyone making a special journey for a meal there.

But if you find yourself out Gainsborough way, and you fancy a good plate of honest food with some change to spare, it’s a good place to start.

by Chantal Spittles

star rating HHH