THIS is not a venue that you are likely to stumble across by accident. There is little to draw you to the passageway linking Swinegate with Grape Lane.

There is the option of sitting outside (what, in January?) in the courtyard that doubles as a thoroughfare, or within. For us, the choice was easy.

Stools at the windows allow customers to observe what, if anything, is happening outside. We chose to sit at one of the closely placed tables where the activity at the servery could be observed.

The two visible members of staff put us under no pressure to order. We might have been tempted to delay our snack while we looked at the reading material that was available.

Apart from the standard sandwiches and bagels a number of items were shown on the specials board. These included cheese and bacon melt with chips (£4.30); fish, chips and peas with buttered bread (£4.95); a rump steak sandwich, chips and salad (£4.95). We felt that these specials had been on offer for more than just the day of our visit.

Eventually Ann asked about the hot roast that went in the sandwich. Chicken was the answer, which would suit her admirably. At £4.50 and with chips, this sounded a good deal.

Sadly the result did not live up to its description. Yes, it was chicken but looked more as if it had been casseroled rather than roasted, but we could have been wrong. It was served with gravy which made for a rather soggy bread bun. Ann managed all the chicken, but only half the bread. With help, the chips were a welcome addition.

My selection of the soup and panini special (£4.80) was excellent. I chose ham, brie and tomato for the filling. I had to take great care when eating it as the tomato was extremely hot. My choice complemented the mushroom soup well.

Should we conclude with treacle sponge and custard (£3.95) or call it a day? Apart from a cappuccino (£1.50) for Ann, we decided a pudding would be a course too far.

Here was another café advertising treacle sponge when I am almost certain it would be made with the contents of a tin labelled ‘golden syrup’. Can any reader explain this phenomenon?

The last time we visited Piglets a large cappuccino cost £1.55. Now five years on the cost was £1.50, although we cannot vouch for any change in the size of the drink.

And once again we ponder why an eating outlet should take the name ‘Piglet’. Clearly it does not put off customers, many of whom would appear to be regulars from the greetings they received.