The Methuen Arms Hotel had something of the BBC drama Life on Mars about it

The historic Methuen Arms Hotel reminded me of the BBC drama Life On Mars.

The drama takes the main character back to 1973 and the hotel did something of the same for me.

It is redolent with history and used to be a favourite haunt of the Duke of Edinburgh who played skittles there while stationed at HMS Arthur during the war.

Sitting with my daughter in the oak-beamed Carvers Restaurant with its low ceilings and rather dark decor, it was easy to imagine being back in the 1970s, or earlier.

In keeping with the rather dated air, for starters I ordered prawn salad, or prawn cocktail, which always reminds me of the 1970s.

There were plenty prawns, although I found the sauce a little rich, something I suspect I would have barely noticed 40 years ago when fat was not an issue.

My daughter had leek and potato soup with croutons, which was tasty.

For main course, I chose beef borguignon, served with white rice and bread.

The beef was succulent and came in a rich sauce with vegetables, the mushrooms being particularly tasty and with a nice texture.

The bread, which is baked daily, was lovely.

My daughter had prawn and melon salad as a main course, although it was advertised as a starter. It was served in a pink seafood sauce and set on lettuce.

For pudding, my daughter enjoyed homemade apple pie with custard. I was glad to see the apples had retained their shape rather than being overcooked and mushy.

The waiter was efficient and polite, even though we rolled up just 20 minutes before they stopped serving.

However, he became more friendly after one of the paper napkins caught alight from the candle. My daughter poured a jug of water over it and we cleared up, much to the amusement of the adjoining table and the waiter.

We drank only tap water, served with ice, and the bill came to just under £17, which I thought was good value.
Diana Deal

6:00am Thursday 24th April 2008

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