Dining out with a food connoisseur like my mother certainly puts up the pressure to pick the perfect spot.

However, choosing La Flambe, a mix of a French restaurant and gastro pub, tucked away in Sutton Benger, proved a winner.

It appears suitably impressive with subtle outdoor lighting casting a Gothic look on the building.

However a warning for the diner with a modest budget, you are looking at around £7 for a starter and up to £22 for a main. But, hoping to impress my mother with my impeccable taste, we ventured in and were greeted by a handsome maitre’d in black tie.

We were led to the candle- lit red restaurant which was almost deserted but felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of Chippenham just three miles away.

My mother plumped for a seafood starter and the sirloin steak served in a caramelised onion and Madeira wine sauce whereas I picked the poulet à l’estragon or chicken strips in a white wine and cream sauce with shallots and tarragon.

The seafood starter arrived with fresh bread and was bursting with monkfish, mussels and langoustines served with a cream and herb sauce. My mother said it was cooked to perfection.

The sophisticated atmosphere did plummet somewhat when my mother asked where the bread was from and if it was baked locally to which the waiter replied it was probably from Asda.

Undeterred we ordered more of the delicious house white wine and awaited the arrival of our main courses.

My tender strips of chicken were seasoned to perfection with the shallots and tarragon complementing each other perfectly. However, my mother would have liked more Madeira in the sauce. The steamed vegetables are extra, but are definitely worth the money.

The bill came to £50 for the two of us, and was well worth it for a fine dining experience – albeit with supermarket bread.

La Flambe, 5 Seagry Road, Sutton Benger, SN15 4RY - (01249) 720247

  • Room for large parties and meetings
  • Large selection of French and European cuisine
  • Wheelchair access
  • Children welcome