IF THE main requirements of a good meal out are excellent food, good service, pleasant surroundings and value for money, then the Landford Poacher meets the lot.

Recently refurbished and sporting a fresh fish selection in addition to a varied la carte menu, the spacious pub, perched on top of the hill at Landford between Romsey and Salisbury, proved a happy choice of eating place.

As soon as we saw the menu and specials boards we knew we had chosen the right restaurant. When you find it hard to make up your mind, it is usually because you are spoilt for choice, and this was definitely the case here.

After long deliberation over the starters, duck and pheasant rillette got the nod from me, while my wife went for the whitebait. I'm not too sure what "rillette" means but roughly speaking it consisted of lean pieces of duck and pheasant potted in butter, and it was sensational. Served with slices of ciabatta bread plus a side salad and fig, orange and cinnamon chutney it was a generous portion worthy of a main dish.

An equally handsome helping of perfectly-cooked whitebait came with a green leaf salad. Both starters were exceptionally good value at under a fiver. The main courses were equally impressive. My halibut steak came in a fennel, wine and cream sauce and we shared new potatoes, pured carrot, courgettes and leek.

My wife had ordered Poachers Pie which came topped with puff pastry, crammed with lean meat including venison and pheasant in a rich sauce, surrounded by mountains of particularly crispy golden chips. Perfectly cooked and packed with flavour, both meals were exceptional.

We gave the desserts a miss as usual, but those with a sweet tooth will find plenty to entice them at the Landford Poacher - loads of creamy concoctions, again very reasonably priced. Even with two soft drinks and a beer, the bill only came to £34.80, which for food of this quality was excellent value.

We were agreed as we staggered out to the car that this was one of the best meals we had had in a long time. Highly recommended.

Reservations: 01794 390353.