We’ve all had the conversation, “Shall we go to (enter name of restaurant you have been to one hundred times before) again. That place is okay?”

There is a tendency for city dwellers to visit the same eateries over and over. They opt for mundane reliability, over a spirit of adventure, choosing convenience rather than exploration. In the past, I have been guilty of this, but will certainly be willing to think outside the box in future, after a revelatory visit to the Dunton Bassett Arms (DBA), just twenty minutes from the city centre.

The owner of this versatile and intriguing venue can hardly be accused of a lack of ambition; having established many years ago a unique Chinese restaurant which adjoins a charming, traditional public house. The premise may be unconventional but after spending a relaxing evening, enjoying a wonderful array of oriental cuisine, I can safely say that anyone willing to pay them a visit will have no regrets.

My fellow diners and I were welcomed into the bar upon our arrival and we began our evening by sitting in front of the log fire which was replenished throughout the night. The combination of the out of town location and tasteful rustic décor creates a delightful atmosphere, in which the patrons are made to feel truly valued. There was never a sense that we were being rushed.

After devouring the most wonderful Prawn Crackers, we moved on to our starter of Crispy Duck, Capital Spare Ribs and Pancake Rolls. The portions were of a very healthy size and we eagerly tucked in. I was particularly impressed with the Capital Spare Ribs which were covered in the most delicious sauce.

The mains promptly followed and the conversation temporarily took a back seat as we gleefully tasted mouthful after mouthful of tender meat, sumptuous noodles and delicate egg fried rice. My Honey Lemon Chicken glistened in the light. The batter coating was light and the chicken itself was cooked to perfection. The balance between the lemon and honey would have pleased an Olympic gymnast, as would the pleasant surprise of the accompanying pineapple.

Word of mouth prior to my visit had been overwhelmingly positive and I was not left in any way disappointed. It is always a treat to discover a great new place to dine and I feel that this restaurant is equally well suited to catering for couples, families or larger parties.

We all agreed that we would be informing friends and family of the DBA and as we departed into the cold Winter evening, our empty plates and the smiles upon our faces told their own story.