which used to be called the Bricklayers Arms, dates back to the 16th century and is a well known 'real ale' drinking venue in the centre of town. But would it be any good for food?

Boasting the 'traditional to the exotic' on the menu we chose conventional steak and chips. The traditional was covered with things like Suffolk ham, egg and chips, fish and chips and sandwiches, jacket potatoes and paninis. The exotic included haricot bean chilli, penne pollo zorro and - wait for it - home-made beans on toast. Everything was reasonably priced and all cooked freshly to order.

On our visit the pub had a 'seasonal special' of two Norfolk reared beef steaks, with a free bottle of wine thrown in, which was too good an offer to refuse and turned out to be a inspired choice. The food arrived promptly but not suspiciously fast and it was a feast to the eye and taste buds. The steaks were cooked perfectly (and gorgeous with accompanying garlic butter) and the hand-cut chips, onion rings, tomatoes and mushrooms quickly disappeared. The wine went down very well too although it could hardly be considered vintage!

The place was very busy when we visited and appeared to be a heady mixture of people looking for a little oasis of tranquillity from a busy market day shopping or time out from an afternoon with hot kids! Customer service was definitely 'old school' with no gushing and calm efficiency.

As we enjoyed our seats in the sunshine, amid the quiet murmurings of other contented diners and with the sound of water gently falling from two discreetly placed water features, we began to feel calm again. All in all, this bar offers a something most others don't; real food, real ale, and real human beings.