WE have driven past the Lynton Court pub restaurant on Christchurch Road in Bournemouth many times and barely given it a second glance.

But ever since we ate at the Bailey Bridge in Christchurch – which is part of the same Table Table restaurant chain – our youngest child has been desperate to go back.

For when you are a growing ten-year-old boy with a big appetite and a sweet-tooth it’s the place to go. Not only does the menu feature all of his favourite puddings, but the portions are more than generous too.

From a parents’ point of view it’s good value. For £4.95 they get a main course and a pudding and for an extra 99p they can add a starter of nachos, potato wedges or garlic bread.

So he and his sister were delighted to discover that we were going to a similar place with the same menu.

Even though it was a Monday evening well after the end of the summer holidays the Lynton Court, which is situated in an old house with lovely high ceilings, was still quite busy.

While the kids were tucking into cheese-covered potato wedges, I ordered the baked camembert. It’s well worth the 15-minute wait as you get a whole cheese with half a sliced baguette served with a sweet cranberry compote which is like a taste of Christmas.

My husband was suffering from a touch of food envy at this point as his cream of broccoli soup was a bit of disappointment as it lacked flavour.

He perked up once he clapped eyes on his main course, though. His gammon steak, which covered half the plate, was succulent and tender and served with fried eggs (or he could have had grilled pineapple rings) half a grilled tomato, peas and chunky chips.

I ordered the seafood pie with pieces of smoked haddock, crayfish, red snapper, prawns and clams in a cheese sauce topped with mashed potato.

It was molten hot and I had to wait at least ten minutes before it was safe enough to eat! The delicate fish flavours were rather overpowered by the cheese but I still enjoyed it.

Meanwhile the children were wolfing down adult-sized portions of chicken nuggets, chips and beans. I insisted on trying a nugget for research purposes obviously. The batter was light and crispy and not at all greasy and the chicken breast was nice and moist.

We still managed to leave room for desserts – apple crumble, Eton Mess and something called a mini chocolate indulgence which included Belgian chocolate truffle ice cream.

All good rib-sticking stuff – perfect comfort food on a chilly autumn evening and good value too. Our bill for a family of four came to £35.62 excluding drinks.