If you're looking for beautifully presented fine food, which you can enjoy throughout the day - Forbes Brasserie, at the Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden, should fit the bill perfectly.

Michelin starred head chef Alan Dann has created a mouth-watering seasonal menu, using the freshest ingredients - including some straight from the hotel's kitchen garden. The hotel has been under the hands-on ownership of Ian and Christa Taylor since mid 1999.

Transformations have already taken place with some more still to come.

During our evening visit I chose the smoked haddock and roasted scallop on a warm potato salad as a starter and my wife opted for the poached chicken salad with avocado and tomato. Both were beautifully cooked and presented - and the flavours were exquisite. Prices for the starters ranged between £3.95 to £7.50.

For our main courses we chose again from the regularly changing menu - and there is a daily specials board too.

My wife had the warm tomato tart with black olive and mozzarella and I plumped for the salmon and tuna fishcakes with chive butter sauce and sauted spinach. Again, the food quality, presentation and generous size of portions could not be faulted.

The main courses here varied in price from a very reasonable £9.50 and £13.00.

Though by now we were struggling - we felt we couldn't leave until we had sampled the desserts too!

One lemon tart with fruit coulis and chantilly (£4.50), and a selection of mini chocolate desserts with chocolate ice cream (£5.50) later, we can testify that the desserts match the quality of the rest of the menu.

You would need to be a real chocoholic to finish the full selection of mini desserts on your plate, though!

Special mention must also be made of the friendly, attentive service that we enjoyed in the relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Forbes Brasserie opens for breakfast and coffee from 9.30am, lunches and light snacks from noon, afternoon tea from 3pm and dinner from 6pm. Last orders are at 9.45pm. Booking is recommended for the evenings.

If you are looking for a more formal dining experience the hotel also features the la carte Garden Room Restaurant.

Tel: 01386 840330, e-mail: reception@cotswoldhouse.com

Internet: www.cotswoldhouse.com