But along with Brian and Valerie, Stuart’s parents, we were quickly shown to a table tucked away in a corner of the pub.

We noticed straight away the pleasant decor and the fact that we didn’t have to do battle with a fog of smoke as we made our way to our table — the pub is completely non-smoking.

Our young waitress quickly arrived at our table and introduced herself before she reeled off the specials and wished us “bon appetit” as we settled down with the menus.

Valerie and I decided to kick off our afternoon with a bottle of Australian Semillon Chardonnay — Jackman’s Landing — reasonably priced at £7.60.

It was one of dozens of bottles available on the wine list which we both felt was rather well priced. The list included Fraser Bay Pinotage for £8.55 through to McGuigan Bin 7000 Chardonnay for £14.10.

Brian armed himself with a pint of bitter, while the designated driver — the husband — opted for a cola.

The menu was brimming with choice from pasta, pizza and noodles to fish dishes, salads and baguettes — again fairly reasonably priced ranging from an 8oz gammon steak at £6.70 to hot, breaded Caesar chicken baguette at £3.90.

And after scanning the menu, we were all ready to place our order.

Brian and I opted for the soup of the day — hearty winter vegetable — while Stuart and mum shared the cheese and bacon slices — two garlic slices topped with grilled bacon and cheese.

We were pleasantly surprised with the soup, which was rather filling, the only minor point was that the bread roll was ice cold rather than warmed through.

However, the slices were announced a success and the plate wiped clean.

We decided that as it was Sunday we would all have the roast. Three of us went for the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding while Brian decided on the roast chicken.

When they arrived — the plates were piled high — all of us wondered how were going to wade through it all.

As well as the piping hot beef, there was a mountain of mashed potato, roast potatoes, peas and fresh leeks and carrots, topped off with lashings of gravy and horseradish sauce.

No complaints — we polished it all off and declared ourselves well and truly stuffed full.

We decided that it was the right time to opt for a break before we ventured on to the fabulous sweet feast on the dessert trolley.

But in the interests of this food review we eventually did put our ever expanding waistlines to the test and plumped for an assortment of delights.

A traditional pud lover, I went for the apple and blackberry crumble while Valerie went for a slither of Baileys Cheesecake.

Stuart and Brian went the whole hog and picked what can only be described as a monster portion of ice cream covered with frothy layers of cream.

Stuart had the Full Minty — mint chocolate-chip ice cream and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, sugar curls and a bucket of cream. Brian had the Creme Brulee Dream — creme brulee and cream vanilla ice creams drizzled with caramel sauce and sugar curls.

With no room for anything else and the meal declared a hit, we all decided to forego the coffees and headed back to Chez Dunn for a well earned rest!

For those thinking of venturing to the Two Henrys for Sunday lunch, try to get their early to ensure a table. However, if there are no free tables, you can wait in the comfortable bar area until one becomes free.

There is a children’s areas and plenty of parking.

By Claire Dunn

ADDRESS:
Two Henry’s, Battlefield, Shrewsbury
Tel: 01743 450940

MENU SAMPLE:
Starters:
Goats cheese bites (£3.25); Peking duck spring rolls (£3.25). 

Main courses:
Minted lamb shank in mint and rosemary gravy (£8.99); beef ribs in cracked black pepper sauce (£10.99).

Sides:
Twister fries (£1.65); sauces (£1.15).

Desserts:
Baileys cheesecake (£3.25); apple and blackberry crumble and custard (£3.25).

ATMOSPHERE:
Busy, laid back.

SERVICE:
Very attentive and polite.

DISABLED FACILITIES:
Disabled parking, wheelchair access and disabled toilet.

SMOKING POLICY:
Completely non-smoking.