Eden Bar and Restaurant, conveniently placed just off the Coventry ringway in an 18th century cottage, offers smartly produced stylish and contemporary Modern British dishes within an interior setting to match. Outside, against the red brick background of the cottage, a garden with heating and water feature and a courtyard, partly covered by a heated marquee, provides the ideal setting for alfresco dining.

Those looking for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere will take to Eden very easily. Music is totally background and non-competitive, allowing guests to enjoy their evening and feel at home, but without the washing up. Meals are served on two floors in spaces that lack clutter and distraction. Corporate functions, staff parties, weddings and birthdays all find that Eden can provide a convenient and welcoming place in which to do their thing.

We live in an age when the pattern of meal courses are changing, with tapas only one of the pressures being brought to bear. The menu at Eden is at ease with this trend and it is quite possible to create a meal that thinks outside the box, should you so wish. Stove and grill demonstrates around a dozen choices, some of which have a distinct brasserie-ish flavour to them. The English matured ribeye steak served with rustic fries and a rocket leaf salad may not shout its credentials from the menu rooftop, but certainly does on the plate. White fish wrapped in bacon is accompanied by sweet new potatoes and pesto salad, and pesto surfaces again with an accomplished pesto, pine nut and parmesan linguine.

Amongst smaller dishes, two of which could well combine to make a pleasant meal, expect to find fresh deep fried whitebait in Peroni beer batter served with paprika mayonnaise, or Eden's cheese on toast: garlic flatbread with mushrooms, blue cheese and smoked bacon. Thai mussels are, refreshingly, steamed with onions, garlic and coriander, thereby retaining their flavour and consistency more truthfully. Tapas are served on Friday and Saturday evenings until 10pm

A warm chicken Milanese salad served on baby potatoes, with tomatoes, peppers and rocket salad stands well as a dish on its own, and for those who find desserts a little too much, can well make a substitute. But for those who don't, treats await in the form of, for instance homemade cherry Bakewell tart with clotted cream and raspberry coulis, or Belgian waffles served with toffee sauce and caramelised bananas. An English cheese board ably fulfils the needs of those for whom no meal is complete with the entry of cheese at some point.

The wine list at Eden is still at the point of gestation and a recent tasting evening was a useful pointer towards what will undoubtedly be a list from across the world, embracing the fine, well-priced wines such as those emerging from South America and South Africa.

Eden Bar and Restaurant has captured the hearts of locals and visitors and is fast building a diner base of enthusiastic and perceptive followers. For further information reference to their Website will keep you up to date with developments.