The Old Post Office, Wem

finds a pub that's carving a new niche.

Although most people tend to eat close to home, those prepared to drive out of town can reap rewards.

This was the case at The Old Post Office on Wem High Street, about half an hour's drive from Telford.

I had heard the pub was newly refurbished and serving "good home-made carvery food and other dishes" on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I was quickly on the phone to book a table for a Friday night.

But I was told food was only served at lunchtime so I booked for myself and my other half Simon on the Sunday.

It was the Royal Wedding and yet another glorious Bank Holiday weekend, and, although having dropped the idea of cooking myself, I didn't see the harm in letting someone else cook a Sunday roast for us.

We parked at a nearby car park where parking cost 10p for two hours. As we were a little early we had a gentle stroll up and down the high street, noting how old some of the buildings were.

You don't have to book at The Old Post Office, but I was glad we did. We'd booked a noon slot, the earliest they serve. Thinking it would be empty, I was in for a shock. There were already three tables reserved, and most of the diners arrived at the same time. Within an hour every other table was taken.

Neither of us are big fans of carveries. I've eaten at a handful over the years and they always seem quite dull, with hordes of diners rushing to join a long queue, only to be served food over-dried by the lamps (not that this ever stops some people taking a mountain of food, regardless of whether they are able to do justice to it). I also hate being served ready-made Yorkshire puddings: these taste, if they have any taste at all, like cardboard. No thanks.

Yet this wasn't the case at The Old Post Office. Simon and I both quickly agreed this was the best carvery we had ever had.

It's set in one of Wem's old, attractive buildings - the site of the former post office which has decamped to a local supermarket - and has its own sunny beer garden at the back, reached through the premises and down an enclosed outside path.

There are a few steps up into the refurbished main bar from the High Street which would make it difficult for wheelchair users, and the refurbished toilets are small, again making it a bit harder for less able-bodied diners.

I had half a cider (£1.50) and Simon had a coffee (£1.20). We said we'd booked a table and saw on the board that roast beef, roast pork and roast chicken were on the menu at £6.95 a head.

As the staff needed a few minutes to get ready we took our drinks out to the beer garden, which has steps, but plenty of seating, sunshades and sunshine. We'd noticed the place looked newly redone on walking inside and it looked as if the beer garden had been revamped too. Somebody is working very hard to make the business a success.

Back inside, we were invited to sit at our table. The dining area looked similar to a cafe and had pleasant music .

There was no cutlery on the table, just cloths and mats. Two chefs walked out of the kitchen and into the carvery off the dining area. They were smiling and friendly - in fact, all the staff were pleasant, friendly, courteous and very good and attentive.

Two elderly people near our table were invited through to get their lunch. A little helper, whom I would guess would have been around 12 years old, kindly carried their plates back to their table. He asked me if I would like the music turned down a little, to which I agreed. Throughout service this young gent cleared plates, carried drinks from the bar to the table, asked diners if everything was OK and checked on pudding orders. What a star!

When we were invited into the carvery. I was impressed with the size and quality of the beef and ordered that. I had plenty of meat put on my plate and a Yorkshire pudding. Some of the vegetables were served while others you served yourself. There were carrots, cauliflower cheese, peas, leeks, roast potatoes, mashed potato and cabbage plus decent-sized balls of stuffing.

On a nearby table was a myriad of sauces in ramekins, including horseradish, English mustard and apple sauce and a heated tureen of tasty, proper roast dinner gravy. You helped yourself to a knife and fork.

My beef was tender and tasty and there was plenty of it. My Yorkshire pudding was crispy on the outside, soft and spongy on the inside and tasted good. The vegetables were hot, not overcooked or dried out, and frankly delicious. Simon had beef and pork and said both his meats were good.

By the time we'd finished it was around 1pm and a little early to be heading home. I thought that this was the perfect excuse to try out a pudding. There were three choices: bread and butter pudding, cherry pie, and pineapple and meringue, but they were good choices. Simon had bread and butter pudding and I chose the pie. We both chose ice cream rather than custard to accompany our dishes.

There wasn't a huge wait for our puddings and they were both thoroughly enjoyable. They came on hot plates. My pie was delicious, with a tasty filling and golden, crumbling pasty. This was so light and moreish. Simon's pud also got the thumbs up. It was light enough that you could have had second helpings.

Simon finished off his meal with another coffee.

While I went off to the very clean ladies Simon paid the bill. Our entire meal came to just £23.80. Wow.

Get yourself down to The Old Post Office, but if I were you I would book, and book early!

ADDRESS

The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wem SY4 5DG

Tel: 01939 235046

MENU SAMPLE

MAIN COURSES

Roast beef/pork/chicken - with selection of vegetables (£6.95 for a large meal. Small meals available)

DESSERTS

Cherry pie, Bread and butter pudding, Pineapple and meringue with cream, custard or ice cream (£3.00)

ATMOSPHERE

Cosy and friendly, warm and welcoming

DISABLED FACILITIES

Difficult access for wheelchair users