Lion Quays, near Oswestry

Star rating: **** Kirsty Smallman, her husband and friends head to a waterside resort for a bank holiday treat.

After spending a bank holiday doing what bank holidays are for – decorating! – we spent the afternoon with friends who were on holiday in the county at Ellesmere's revamped mereside.

When it came to something to eat I was stuck. Not wanting to try somewhere new when with friends, in case it proved a disappointment, I suggested the Lion Quays at Oswestry.

Although I had only enjoyed functions such as christenings and weddings there, other friends of mine had enjoyed lunchtime snacks there.

The catering provided at the previous functions had made a good impression, and with the added attraction of the canalside drinking and eating area, the Lion Quays won the vote.

On arrival, the restaurant area inside and the patio tables outside were both busy, but while ordering our drinks we asked about dining and told it wasn't a problem.

We ventured outside to enjoy the late afternoon sun and the passing narrowboats but, swiftly remembering which country we were in, moved inside!

A waitress showed us to a table for five and we studied the menu. Even before looking at the children's menu, Eloise, had chosen sausages. Luckily for us they were on the menu, with a choice of everything possible to go with hem. Despite healthier options being available – chips was the first choice. Not forgetting the side order of garlic bread which the adults tried to help her out with but were quickly refused!

While I was torn between a number of things on the menu, I ordered the battered fish and chips, but asked for the mushy peas (you either love them or you hate them!) to be swopped for some "normal" peas.

My husband John and our friend Ray followed suit but quickly told the waitress they wanted the mushy peas.

Karen went for gammon, which was served with a huge portion of fresh pineapple, a welcome change from the usual slice of tinned pineapple.

We were all so torn between the choices on the menu, we had to ask the waitress to give us more time to decide.

After ordering, we enjoyed a catch-up with our friends and the food seemed to quickly appear.

All of the portions were hearty and the home-cut chips were perfect – cooked all the way through, with a tantalising brown crispy coating on the outside.

The battered cod was also crispy on the outside but simply fell apart when the knife cut through – delicious.

Karen's portion of tasty, succulent gammon proved too much for her but everybody else cleared their plates.

We hadn't indulged in starters as, even before ordering, I'd spotted a huge sundae-style dessert pass to another table – desserts were definitely on the agenda.

But after clearing our plates, we all (even me!) had to admit defeat and leave the dessert menu for another time.

As our meals arrived, the men were at the bar ordering another round of drinks, but quickly returned empty handed when they saw our meals go by. But a request for a waitress to get them for us was made and they quickly arrived without complaint.

Every member of the party commented how much they had enjoyed their meal, but John and I agreed that it was a little pricey – nearly £13 for fish and chips? Although it was delicious, and I do agree you only get what you pay for, I do think it was still a little overpriced.

I do believe places which have the advantage of the passing trade and an attractive location do feel they can overprice their meals. But we certainly had no reason to complain and would not hesitate to return to the Lion Quays. With the newly opened spa on the same site, I am even tempted to book a day there.

The Lion Quays is an impressive venue and one which is doing more than one thing right – customers are returning time and time again and it is one of the busiest places in the Oswestry area for newly married couples to celebrate their wedding vows, and others who tie the knot at the venue too.

I feel we didn't do the menu justice by skipping starters and desserts but it's a good excuse for another visit.

The menu offered sandwiches and other light-bite choices for lunchtimes and also the large choice of main meals – from the grill, vegetarian and from the sea.

Staff, service and the overall experience at the Lion Quays was impressive.

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Bantry Bay mussels, white wine, cream and garlic (£6.95)

Beef tomato, mozzarella-dressed rocket with basil oil (£5.95)

Main courses

Lamb rump, crushed potatoes, root vegetables with thyme gravy (£13.25)

Roasted seabass, red onion compote, new potatoes and sun-blushed tomatoes (£14.25)

Desserts

Selection of home-made desserts

ATMOSPHERE

Relaxing