Overlooking the beautiful Roman river that runs through Winchester, meeting at the Bishop on the Bridge for a pre-dinner drink reaps its own rewards. Moving from the huge leather sofas into the dining area, which extends onto a terrace, eating here is an equally gratifying experience.

The menu at the Bishop fuses traditional pub fare with more modern dishes. Starters (£2.45-£8.50) such as roasted peppers with breads and dips, sit comfortably next to home-made soup. The main menu (£6.95-£12.95) is refreshed quarterly, warming you in winter months with their steak and ale pie and pork and leek sausages. My chosen tuna was beautifully tender and my dining companion’s rump steak with home-made chunky chips came up trumps.

For dessert (£3.95-£5.75) we shared a delicious crème brûlée, but choosing had been a struggle with bread and butter pudding and chocolate fudge cake also on the menu.

On Fridays there’s live jazz music, and Monday is quiz night. In the summer there are also regular barbeques, which earned it a Publican Food Award last year.

Best of all, there’s simply a great atmosphere at the Bishop, making it a perfect meeting place whether you’re popping in for a drink, or sitting down for a three-course meal.