NOTHING beats a traditional thatched-roof country pub boasting the kind of grub that rounds off a hard day enjoying the sun.

And Shanklin's Crab Inn is certainly picture postcard perfect.

Indeed, the pleasant "olde worlde" appearance of the pub, which dates back to the 1820s, has apparently made it one of the most photographed in the UK.

But the Crab Inn is more than just an eye-catching attraction for the passing tourist.

The large oak-beamed inn tucked away in the corner of the old village serves up a warm welcome and the stomach-bulging portions that one expects from a traditional pub.

It offers up a menu full of good old-fashioned fare, which was served quickly despite a busy restaurant, and the chef was happy to come up with variations on the dishes to suit a diner's particular needs.

That resulted in my vegan partner being served up a specially-created wild mushroom salad as a starter and roast vegetables and pasta in a plum tomato sauce for the main course.

The latter was filling and good value for money but, somewhat disappointingly, the vegetables had only been very lightly roasted at best and certainly did not boast the char-grilled taste expected.

I enjoyed the field mushrooms as a starter as well, but had them stuffed with a mouth-watering combination of bacon and stilton and served with garlic bread.

For the main course, my rump steak was rather overcooked but came covered in a tasty pepper sauce and on a plate filled with mushrooms, tomatoes, onion rings, chips and peas.

With the bill, including drinks, coming in at a little over £24, eating at the Crab Inn proved to be the perfect treat for the summer.

Reservations: 01983 862363.