I HAD no preconceptions about The Bridge Inn and, apart from passing it on journeys to and from Salisbury over the years, it was a blank canvas in my mind.

We arrived just before noon on a weekday so I wasn’t expecting large numbers of customers at that time, but was relieved to find that we were in fact the second customers that day.

I noted the recent award on the bar from another publication, which gave the impression that this establishment had a lot to live up to.

The inside is sparsely decorated in a contemporary style with rattan flooring and bare wood tables but the log fire was soon lit and we settled into a cosy village lunch. Other diners soon arrived and the quiet quickly filled with groups chatting away in cheery voices.

The main menu is similarly sparse but offers a choice of regular pub favourites such as fish and chips, coupled with the more unusual such as roast guinea fowl and crispy pig’s head (a starter), plus specials of chicken curry and roast beef.

After considerable deliberation, I chose the mushroom, red onion and blue cheese tart with salad (£10.50). Paul almost had to have the menu prised out of his hands before he plumped for the homemade beef burger with fries and salad (£12.50).

The menu did warn that good things come to those who wait, due to the small number of staff in the kitchen.

After about 20 to 30 minutes our food arrived. The flavours of the tart combined fantastically and the blue cheese and mushroom, married with the chutney on the bottom, made for one of the most tasty lunches I have had in a long while.

The burger was a bit more of a surprise. The super-thick meaty patty had proved a challenge too far for the grill and it was on the unacceptable side of red.

Once sent back for a second go, it was much better.

The immediate offer of a 50 per cent discount on the aforementioned item was welcome, and a sign that this inn takes its service very seriously.

We bore no malice for the undercooked burger and feel The Bridge triumphed over adversity with its attitude.

The bill came to just over £25 with three soft drinks and we expect to return soon.

*Food served: Tuesday-Saturday noon-2.30pm and 6.30pm-9pm; Sunday noon-2.30pm
* Disabled access
* Car park at rear