YOU know how it is. You're looking at the wine list and you know what you want.

But it's down as costing £20 and you know you saw it for less than half that in an off-licence not days ago.

Then what you should also know is that you're in the wrong restaurant.

You should be in Bleu.

This relaxed, un-fussy grill is producing excellent food - more of that in a mo.

But what really grabs your attention is the wine list, with fine wines on offer at prices that will put a wide smile on your wallet. So proud are they of the selection they talk of the place as being a grill and "wine gallery" - whatever that is.

Not only is the range impeccable but the prices occasionally even beat the off-licence. It pays off. They find couples often have two bottles of wine here instead of limiting themselves to just one.

Owner Bob Musker says: "I thought to myself 'What do I hate about restaurants?' and I realised it was the bill, especially the wine bill coming to more than the food."

The idea came to him "out of the blue" - hence the name.

Bob and manager Branco have taken their price policy and applied it to the children's menu. There, dishes for youngsters cost as little as £1, albeit for the likes of spaghetti hoops or similar.

But for those of us more interested in food than the latest in Power Rangers spaghetti shapes, Bleu has plenty to offer.

It being a lunch-time, I reluctantly had to say no to the wine list, but couldn't resist the prospect of Thai prawns in filo pastry.

Little parcels with prawn tails poking out the end, as your teeth puncture the pastry a fragrant cloud of Thai-style steam is released. Hot, delicately spicy and perfectly lovely, initial plans to share a portion for a starter had to be quickly abandoned and more rushed out from the kitchen.

The happy hubbub they left in their wake was broken only by the thud as my dinner guest's gammon arrived on the table. A hefty slab, it was complemented by a portion of fat home-made chips which made you never want to see a wafer-thin French fry ever again.

My stuffed duck breast and its rich, tasty sauce was a dieter's bad dream and barely left room for dessert.

Forlornly, I decided there was no room at the inn for profiteroles and chocolate sauce and went for home-made butterscotch ice cream complete with plenty of crunchy sweet pieces.

It was not a decision I came to regret and neither was choosing Bleu for a business meeting. Also ideal for families or couples or anyone fancying a fine drop with their food, Bleu is a brave venture and well worth a visit.

Our bill, including drinks, came to about £53.

Bleu Grill and Wine Gallery is in Dolphin Lane, off High Street, Southampton. Tel: 023 8072 0501.