I THINK it was the deep fried plaice with prawn cous cous which proved the clincher.

Women's editor Kate Thompson went as quiet as a mouse (normally unheard of unless she's gagged) and, if there hadn't been a backdrop of lively chatter in the pub, I suspect we could have heard her purring as she ate the immaculately presented dish.

But then the rest of the meal was of an equally high standard.

The pan-fried scallops with celeriac mash, asparagus, wild mushrooms, proscuitto and a white wine sauce was melt-in-the-mouth magic.

And the thai fishcakes... well, their lip-smacking spiciness made them a joy to munch.

The Wykeham Arms was plucked from obscurity during the 1980s and built up into one of the most successful and acclaimed pubs in the country by Winchester businessman the late Graeme Jameson.

Its food has won it numerous accolades in the past 15 years.

Over the years Graeme and wife Anne decorated the interior of the building, giving it character and an air of laid-back luxury.

The walls and ceiling of the series of bars are smothered with pictures and antiques so there is no more than a square inch of bare wallpaper anywhere.

We were tucked away in the Watchmakers, a quiet non-smoking eating area, far removed from the bustle of the pub's main concourse.

And there - aside from several outrageous comments from entertainment editor Andy White - we enjoyed a relaxed evening of excellent food and gluggable, reasonably priced wine.

I've eaten there many times over the years but this was, without a doubt, one of the best meals ever.

Reservations: 01962 853834.