Leith's, the restaurant has been decked out in urban style - wooden floors, leather sofas, and modern tables. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide views across to the marina, as well as to the little green with swans and ducks, and the stream of pleasure cruisers drifting by. You could even catch sight of the University boat crew which has its boat house just opposite.

The restaurant describes itself as offering 'stylish surroundings and a café-style atmosphere'. It is part of the bigger Maltings complex, and is in an ideal location to enjoy a pre-film snack or meal as the ADEC film-showings are just across the vestibule. Food is available all day, from breakfasts through to afternoon tea and dinner, and you can opt for just a coffee or a full meal. The offering is eclectic with pizzas, pasta, and meat and fish dishes.

The menu aims to be contemporary and there were interesting-sounding options, including specials on a board. The chicken supreme - chicken breast, bacon-wrapped - was on a bed of spinach, and topped with leek in a creamy sauce. The steak pie covered the potato-mash, but was a little over-peppered. We only realised later that we needed to order side vegetables as an extra, which was a pity as the meal portions were rather small - enough for an office break, but not for hungry rowers or fen farmers who would probably need something more hearty. The group of mothers taking lunch with their tiny babies was a delight, and their appetizing-looking pizzas were enormous.

The puddings on the menu were supplemented by several appealing items on a chalk board, making for a difficult decision. For indecisive diners, the restaurant has the answer - a trio of little pots, including a rich crème brulée. Apparently, this is popular for wedding receptions as people can swap the ones they don't like with other guests!

It was good to see a place that was happy to have mini-diners at lunch, as eating out with children can be a stress for parents. With its café-style, this is not a place where your conversations have to be whispered. When the sun shines, or even if you bring a chunky fleece, there is outside seating with an even better view of the boating life. The staff at the Maltings were friendly and obviously well-trained. The restaurant doesn't have quite the same intimacy and cosiness of its neighbours, but with its spaciousness, it seems like a good option for mixed-age groups, for families, and those just seeking an English afternoon tea in a picturesque location.