time of year.

With a modern and airy interior set on three levels, we opted for the top mezzanine floor as we were still keen to experience the riverside views that the great location permitted. Our seat next to the window offered us a fine view of the Cam. Attractive paintings of Cambridge scenes from local artists hang on the walls and are available for interested diners to buy. Our first experience of the great, friendly service that Galleria provides was when we were enquiring about whether the vegetarian option (the roasted field mushrooms) required a side order. The waiter replied, with a refreshingly honest 'It's quite rich so I don't think you need anything else with it - I'd say save your money'. Staff are clearly both highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the food on offer.

The food is described as 'modern European', and is creative and unusual. The menu reads as though the words spill out of the mouth of a champion gourmet, for example 'pan-fried Moroccan spiced breast of chicken-couscous-sultanas-pistachios-crème d'ail sauce' and 'poached monkfish fillets-tiger prawns-Basmati rice-leeks-lemon grass, sweet chilli and coconut cream sauce', which is an extremely effective way to whet your appetite. Food can be ordered from both the main menu, or the two-or three-course set menu, and changes seasonally. They also cater for weddings and corporate events.

For the starter, we opted for Bantry bay mussels, which were steamed in a Thai green curry, coriander and coconut cream sauce which arrived in a lovely garlicky sauce, accompanied by French bread. We then had the vegetarian option, roasted field mushrooms with grilled goat's cheese, pine nuts, quinoa and a tomato ragu. This particular dish is a creative array of colours and flavours, the plate is large and it is highly recommended. We also opted for the linguine with crab claw meat, chilli, lemon, garlic and parsley - a delicious seafood delight.

As a rather soggy canoeist paddled past us in the dark we also contemplated dessert, eventually opting for the ice cream and the warmed Dutch apple flan. It is a glowing testament to the Galleria that we certainly hadn't intended on having a three-course meal when we arrived, but the ambiance, welcome and food were such that we couldn't get enough of it all and decided to stay. We'll certainly be back on a warmer, lighter evening to dine on one of the ever-popular balconies.