The Wiltshire Yeoman, Andover Road, Chirton, Devizes.

(01380) 840665

After much debate on where to go to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we finally decided on the Wiltshire Yeoman.

The pub is in the village of Chirton, near Devizes, and looked very cheerful, festooned with window boxes and hanging baskets.

We were greeted with a warm welcome and shown to our table straight away to peruse a menu that had a good selection of fish dishes, three or four vegetarian options plus a steak and grill menu.

There was also a specials board.

For my starter, I chose the seared scallops (£8.25) and Jason went for the Thai-style Brixham crab cakes (£6.95).

While we were waiting, we were served with two types of delicious home-made bread (mustard and cheese), and deep-fried parsnip and potato slices.

The starters arrived quickly and were fabulous. My scallops were plump and juicy and served with a crispy bacon salad. Jason’s fishcakes were equally as good.

For the main course I decided on the surf and turf. However, they had run out of prawns, so I went for an 8oz sirloin steak (£17.95) with a peppercorn and brandy sauce, which was an extra £2.50, and Jason had the T-bone steak (£21.95).

Both dishes were served with grilled mushrooms, tomatoes and onion and a huge bowl of delicious pommes frites. I am very fussy when it comes to meat – I like my steak well done, but not over-done, and this was cooked just right. Jason enjoyed his steak, which was so large there was no space left on the plate.

After two courses we were rather full, but we couldn’t resist the creme brulee (£5.75), which was superb.

Jason even went so far as to ask the waitress to tell the chef it was the best creme brulee he had ever tasted.

The bill came to £96.70 for three courses, a pint of beer and a raspberry cider, a bottle of red wine and two coffees. A bit pricey, but superb food and worth every penny.

Lunches are also available including sandwiches and more traditional pub meals, along with a lunchtime children’s menu. Would I go back? Absolutely.

Closed Mondays

Food served Tues – Sat: noon to 2pm and 6.30 to 9pm Sun: noon to 2pm no food Sunday evenings

Booking advisable

Beer garden and skittle alley

Private parties catered for.

Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Times without prior knowledge of the owners.