a place mat which incorporates a large fish. The objects are plentiful, yet somehow inconspicuous - not as garishly tacky as they may sound.

The seafood, which the George and Dragon takes pride in, is delivered fresh from Lowestoft each day. There's a wide selection of food on offer: diners can choose from the à la carte menu and the range of daily specials, which includes fresh cod, plaice, haddock and scampi, as well as the enormous mixed grill. They also have a rolling programme of special table d'hote menus, and a rolling programme of regular events. The Monday night special menu has included king crab, chicken and ribs, lobster thermidor and paella during 2008. The popular Wednesday night fish supper is a three-course fish feast of fillet or cod or haddock or the weekly special fish, followed by a selection of homemade desserts and coffee and mints. Fridays are the regular steak night. The George and Dragon has proved to be so popular that, at the end of May 2008, the owners Karen and Paul Beer also took over The Rose in Stapleford. Here, they intend to stick with the successful seafood theme, but introduce more fine dining options.

Despite the fact that this is proudly a seafood restaurant, vegetarians need not feel left out, as they have the choice of the tortellini, red onion tart, or creamy vegetable curry from the à la carte menu. Our vegetable curry was thick, creamy, and there was plenty of it. The only slight problem we had was that they had run out of naan bread by the time our food was ready to be served - not much of a problem for us, though, as we aren't really naan bread fans - and this was resolved very quickly by the polite, friendly and efficient staff.

Diners have the choice of eating in the cosy bar area, or one of the lighter rooms off the bar, which generally have a lighter, airier feel. Heading outside, the large, enclosed beer garden, with its well-tended lawn and borders, continues on the nautical theme by having, in one corner, a selection of flowers growing from an old fishing boat.

The more discerning drinker is not disappointed here either - the George and Dragon offers a surprisingly extensive wine list, with over 50, a reasonable range of real ales, including Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, and Ruddles County, and even a range of whiskies.

On our midweek evening visit, it was clear our fellow diners were sociable groups of older people, and families with young children. However, we got the distinct impression that anyone would be welcome here.