Set in the picturesque surroundings of the wonderful Warwickshire countryside, just minutes from the NEC, Solihull and Warwick, The Punchbowl at Lapworth is the perfect place to pop in for that impromptu lunch with friends or colleagues or enjoy a candlelit dinner with nearest and dearest.

With a modern slant on an otherwise traditional English country pub that encompasses a real log fire, oak beams, candelabras, leather sofas and cutting edge modern art, The Punchbowl could be said to have it all. The food is essentially gastropub in style with attentive presentation and cheerful service.

From amongst starters, tempura soft shell crab, pickled fennel and saffron crème fraîche compete with duck liver pâté, plum compote and toasted brioche. A Thai tasting plate of crying tiger Thai rump strips, chilli dip, sticky rice and crudités treads the narrow line between a heavy starter and light main course.

However, dry aged Aberdeenshire steak, hung for the prescribed 28 days, is likely to prove a greater attraction for many. Then there is Cotswold free range chicken breast with boulangère potatoes, Savoy, chestnut mushroom and meaux mustard velouté; pave of calves’ liver, pickled red cabbage, butternut puree, walnuts and liquorice jus, or beer battered cod, hand cut chips, mushy peas and tartar sauce.

For those in perfect harmony The Punchbowl thoughtfully provides starter tasting plates for two, which comes with seared scallops, crab cakes and crispy whitebait.

Puddings start off with a spiced duck egg custard tart, progress through a fig tart tatin, Valrhona white chocolate mousse, and a splendid plate of selected British cheese.

The wine list competes with a broad range of beers, lagers and other bottled pleasures, and that includes Cloudy Bay at £42.50, but there are other interesting numbers tucked away in a short but perfectly adequate list.

The Punchbowl is the sort of place that makes little or no demands upon its guests but offers great value in really attractive surroundings; however, you can find out much more about it on its Website.