As part of the Mystery Shopping I do, I sometimes have to carry out jobs in pubs. Most of them are family pubs, and its just a drink study, but at times like to day, the request is for a full meal.

I feel a bit self concise sitting in a pub on my own, and eating is going to make it worse, but its a wet, cold day and it will save me cooking for myself.

As I walk past the window, my heart sank. The pub is full of Liverpool supporters in full kit, and there is not a free table to be seen. I managed to get one, and within 15 minutes am sitting down with my drink and dinner.

My first observation was the size of the plate, and the fact that it was nearly full. There were four roast potatoes, broccoli, carrots, peas, a Yorkshire pudding, two balls of stuffing and a slice of what I imagine is nut cutlet. Plus a little boat of – I hope – vegetarian gravy.

With the exception of the carrot, the dinner is cooked to perfection. The carrots are a bit hard, but there are plenty of them, so if you like them that way, there is plenty to like. The potatoes and Yorkshire pudding were crispy and well cooked, it I am sure the peas were not tinned.

It was a bit of a surprise to find out that the stuffing balls had been fried, and seemed to be in some sort of casing. I could not tell if it was batter or crumbs, but there was a crispy texture to that as well.

All in all the meal was good value. £5.99 including a free drink