There we were, sitting in the Lighthouse Cafe tucking into big bowls of warmed Dorset apple cake and sticky toffee pudding, both with ample servings of hot custard, when a tall slim man approached our table.

“Hello,” he said, “I’m from the Rambert Dance company – have you come to see the show?”

We looked up at the very fit-looking chap, and back down at our bowls of decadence, and our girths seemed to visibly grow!

We were, indeed, at Lighthouse to see the excellent Rambert, and looking round the café we realised that a number of our fellow diners were from the company. In fact, when eating there, or enjoying coffee on previous occasions, we’ve often seen actors, musicians and dancers from current shows tucking into the excellent food served at this cheerful place.

This time we’d gone there between work and the 7.30pm performance. It was the ideal place to eat, with no worry about getting to the venue after our meal as we were already there.

The cafe has recently been refurbished, with crisp white chairs and tables and touches of vivid orange and bright lime.

The menu includes snacks, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, more substantial main meals, daily specials, cakes, deserts, ice-creams and a range of drinks, including beers and wine. There is also a children’s menu.

It was a chilly day, and we were both hungry. My husband was tempted by the pork and apple sausages with mash and onion gravy and I chose vegetable tart served with salad and chips.

My tart had light, flaky pastry packed with courgette, peppers and tomatoes and was absolutely delicious.

The tasty thick-cut chips were pretty perfect, with a crispness on the outside, and soft, fluffy insides. The simple salad had fresh mixed leaves and sun-dried tomato. The sausages with their creamy mash and tasty gravy were a big hit too.

We finished with coffee and felt well satisfied with our meal.

Of course, we then sat and watched the fantastic dance production. We both felt that, after those wicked desserts, we should have been up and active, burning off some calories like the lithe, slim dancers on the stage. But there we were like a couple of couch potatoes watching in a rather inert fashion.

After such a satisfying meal, we did pass on interval ice-creams and, I have to say, we did use up quite a lot of energy giving enthusiastic applause at the end of the show.

Our meal for two, including coffees and a bottle of sparkling mineral water came to £24.70