FRIDAY lunchtime and the city did not seem very busy, certainly up by Monk Bar.

This venue changed its name earlier this year. On two floors with non-smokers upstairs it has a very fresh appearance.

Wooden tables, chrome chairs and upholstered benches along the walls give a minimalist feel.

The menu is extensive with many possibilities well within our budget.

For the more opulent there was duck (£8.50) and tuna steak (£8).

You could even indulge in a bottle of champagne for £110, although there were cheaper options.

Bangers and Irish mash with onion gravy (£5.90), Thai fish cakes with chips and peas (£6.50), a honey roast ham triple decker with tortilla chips (£5.30), roast Mediterranean wrap (£6) or breaded mushrooms with a garlic dip (£3.60) were just some of the items on offer.

Soup of the day with a sandwich would set you back £3.45.

Ann decided that a ham sandwich without the soup would satisfy her.

Well into this choice she said it was a long time since she had had such a nice sandwich in lovely brown bread.

It was beautifully served with a garnish of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion and tortilla chips.

Always on the look out for something different, I requested pan-fried whitebait on a dome of cos lettuce and garnish (£3.90). This did not please Ann. She does not like to see a plateful of little fish with their heads on!

But for me it was a real treat despite the accompanying dip being a bit too strong.

I couldn't persuade Ann to have a pudding. However I could not resist the crepes. The blueberry pancake stack with crme anglais (custard in York) at £3.50 was delicious.

A pot of tea (£1.20) concluded Ann's snack while I drank tap water.

Sandwiches, paninis, even waffles with maple syrup and crispy bacon are there to tempt you.

The staff were quick to take orders but delivery was slow. This we concluded was because the food was prepared for individual customers. Not a bad thing really.

Sadly this venue would be inconvenient for the disabled. There is a

step at the door and further steps to reach the tables at street level. But for us it was most enjoyable and peaceful lunch for £11.

One week on we are wondering: did the very pleasant Welsh girl who served us, and who was awaiting her degree result that very afternoon, pass?

Updated: 16:43 Friday, July 08, 2005