ONCE again I found myself eating alone. Following up a recommendation, I set off in search of The Warehouse - a difficult task which was eased by a local resident who gave me excellent directions.

Set amid cobblestones in ancient Ripon, this old building originally housed stables on the ground floor and a tinsmith worked upstairs.

Now there are unusual gifts, rugs and clothes below with coffee, lunch and tea served upstairs.

This family-run caf was busy when I arrived, with only one vacant table. Home-made food is advertised in the table menus and on the specials board.

I overheard customers being told there was only one oven-baked jacket potato left. That narrowed my choice. Pity because the fillings included smoked salmon.

The hot dish of the day was beef cobbler (£5.50). Quiche with garnish (£4.75) or a full salad (£5.75) was also available. Or maybe a turkey, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich (£3.25) would suffice.

After deliberation I settled for vegetable soup with a roll (£2.75). The soup was piping hot and full of chunky vegetables. Great!

I considered the puddings (£2.25) which included trifle, cheesecake and banoffee but opted for a fruit scone (£1.15) and a piece of flapjack (£1). Both were delicious.

To round off, coffee, which included a refill, cost £1.50. Good value. Everything was served on striking blue china which I am pleased to report, was made in Staffordshire.

Pity this gem is so well hidden. However, many customers were well known to the staff and clearly ate there regularly. I can understand why.

Updated: 12:55 Saturday, March 29, 2003