IF you’re a vegetarian – please look away now. For there are times when only a good steak will do! Now I’d heard that Miller & Carter in Parkstone, which is under new management, was worth a visit so we headed there one Monday evening.

Most people will remember it as The Mountbatten Arms on Wallisdown roundabout.

But although it sounds like a solicitors’ firm, Miller & Carter is rapidly building up a reputation for its quality beef from the West Country.

Other dishes on the menu include Isle of Man Queen scallops, British-sourced rack of lamb, hot & spicy short rib of beef and sea bass. You can also build your own burger from West Country beef, grilled chicken breast or sweet potato and chick pea with as many toppings as you like.

For starters I had the calamari which was light and crispy and served with a tangy chive and garlic mayonnaise and my husband plumped for a classic prawn cocktail. Both dishes were good and well presented.

But back to the steaks – which come with parsley butter and seasoned fries or jacket potato, a slice of onion loaf and an iceberg lettuce salad with a wide choice of toppings.

Your next decision is whether you want your steak on or off the bone – with a choice of T-bone, Porterhouse, ribeye, sirloin, rump or fillet.

We decided to try the 16oz Chateaubriand for two to share. It was perfectly cut (beef tenderloin) and perfectly cooked and served with two steak sauces – you have a wide choice including béarnaise, bordelaise (red wine, garlic and parsley), red wine and shallot, mushroom & bacon and hickory maple BBQ sauce. We chose peppercorn and blue cheese.

All in all it was an excellent meal.

The service was spot-on, the quality of food was superb and even though it was a Monday there was still a good atmosphere.

Apparently the charismatic manager Alex has more plans in the pipeline to revamp the menu so watch this space!

This is an independent review by a reporter without the cooperation of the establishment.

The bill

Calamari £5.95

Prawn Cocktail £4.95

2 8oz fillet steaks £41.90

Two pints Peroni £7.40

Total: £59.40