MY fellow diner and I arrived at Browns, the former grain mill in Quay Street, Worcester, hungry and full of anticipation.

As we made ourselves comfortable and took in the beautiful view of the swans on the river our attentive waiter handed us the hefty wine menu offering a huge range for every pallet and pocket.

Then on to the tricky task of choosing what to eat.

From Tuesday to Thursday two courses cost £27.50, three courses £33.20, or dinner £39.50 a head. With all courses sounding delicious we went the whole hog.

My first course of salmon and crab fish cake with a warm tomato and basil aioli sauce was simply scrumptious.

The seafood sensation inside the crispy, golden exterior was moist and crumbly and was perfectly complemented by the slightly creamy yet tangy sauce. My friend's tempura of squid, Thai salad and sweet and sour dipping sauce was met with equal satisfaction and a comment on how tender it was.

We both plumped for the charcoal grilled fillet of mature Welsh beef for main - mine with herb butter while my companion chose a red wine sauce accompaniment.

Both were cooked (medium and rare) to pink perfection and accompanied by a bowl of plump broccoli florets, carrots and crisp green beans.

However, the six chunky chips placed in a perfect pile on each plate were, disappointingly, slightly underdone.

My warm dark chocolate melting pudding with Kirsch marinated cherries and a delicious dollop of Chantilly cream arrived after a perfect rest period and was demolished mouthful by delectable mouthful.

With hindsight, a lighter option - such as the lemon posset, lemon sorbet with almond shortbread - may have been a wiser choice.

But my friend's treacle tart with marmalade ice cream and orange puree was sublime - a perfect balance of sweetness and zestiness.

And then came the magnificent cheese trolley.

Some best of British gave famous French counterparts a run for their money with choices including Cornish Yarg and Somerset Brie, as well as a tangy Worcestershire White.

One coffee and a magical morsel of melt-in-the-mouth fudge later and we were ready to burst.

We rolled out of the door having enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed evening with perfect service, formidable food and delectable drink.