GRAEME ROBERTSON takes a quick eat at the Blake Head, York

It may have been the exotic holiday food that prompted Ann to suggest a vegetarian lunch. And vegetarian lunch it was, at the Blake Head.

I had previously fought shy of this venue thinking its prices would be beyond our budget. I need not have worried. Certainly you can pay more. For example a three-course special lunch would set you back £7.50. But there are many more modestly-priced items.

This caf is tucked away behind the book shop in a spacious, well-ventilated room. Although the bill of fare is chalked up behind the servery, menus are available to enable leisurely contemplation before selection. In addition to the vegetarian menu there is a range of vegan options.

Should we have celeriac and cauliflower soup (£2.50) or mushroom and herb pate (£2.50 or £3.95) as a main course)?

Blake's burger, vied with the vegetarian burger and the sweetcorn and green bean quiche of the day.

We settled for the day's special (£4.95) of lentil hotpot for Ann and Mediterranean pie for me. Each came with new potatoes and a selection of salads.

I had a good taste of the hotpot and agreed with Ann it was rather glutinous and bland. Even the new potatoes lacked flavour. My pie was a quiche by any other name. Containing feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, yellow peppers and olives, I found it tasty but not enough to have me running back for more.

The accompanying salad, which included at least seven vegetables and fruit plus two varieties of lettuce, made up an adequate helping.

Freshly baked cakes and biscuits looked appetising but on this visit temptation was resisted!

The caf is open from 9.30am to 5pm although the menu states snacks are only served from 10am to 4pm. Strange!

Cafs:The Blake Head

Address:Micklegate,York

Telephone:01904 623767

Reviewed:13/9/98