DESPITE the cramped conditions for the staff and to a lesser extent customers, this venue is a real gem. On warm days the small 'garden' will be in use also.

The staff were welcoming, speedily responding to orders. The menu is simple. Scones, muffins and pastries, speciality teas and coffees, hot chocolate and cold drinks are readily available. Anyone ordering coffee was automatically offered hot or cold milk. Nothing seemed too much trouble.

Two items caught our attention. The first was homemade soup with chunks of bread (£2.50) - leek and potato on the day of our visit.

A large plate with ten chunks of brown and white bread and a dish of butter was soon in front of us. We couldn't wait for the soup before tucking in! The soup soon followed, steaming and very tasty. It was later confirmed by the creator as being home-made.

Ann moved on to the house speciality; a home-made scone with clotted cream and jam (£2.20), which she assured me was an excellent choice, especially because the scone was nicely warm.

As an alternative to muffins or teacakes, I requested a Danish pastry. This too was warm, which made the pastry light and the icing slightly sticky. Not to worry, a knife and fork had thoughtfully been provided.

We noticed that when any customers were ready to leave, a member of staff was always on hand to open the door. A delightful courtesy not seen too often these days.

A couple of photographs on the walls showed how Lendal Bridge looked in the days when trams crossed the river. But times have changed, so we reluctantly exited to the usual traffic congestion having enjoyed a very pleasant interlude.

Updated: 09:02 Saturday, May 15, 2004