WHEN we have just returned from a holiday, why is it we crave food from the country you have left?

I don’t know the answer but after returning from France I had the urge to go to Quite Simply French on St George’s Quay, Lancaster.

I have never been to the restaurant before – mainly because I get my fill of French food on our annual trips and I would normally prefer an Italian or Thai.

But I had heard lots about Quite Simply French and so booked a table.

The restaurant is very welcoming and the night we dined it was steak and mussels night with a choice of several mains for £11.95.

I chose the Fricassee of leeks and cured salmon in a White Wine Cream served over Toasted Brioche for my starter but was not prepared for what came.

First, the portion was large, and secondly the taste was absolutely sublime – so much so that I had no problem finishing it all!

The salmon was cooked to perfection and the taste was so different to anything I had tried before.

 My tastebuds tingled with the mixture of flavours, the smoked flavour of salmon, the mild onion taste of leeks tempered by the coolness of the cream sauce. A truly amazing dish.

My husband had the cream of leek, potato, broccoli & goat’s cheese soup, which he also really enjoyed.

Now, when it comes to choosing a main course I have never made a bad choice. However, I would probably not order a rump steak again at Quite Simply French, I would go for a thicker cut.

The menu advises – as is the case in France – to order a steak slightly more cooked than you would in England, so I asked for medium to well done. Unfortunately, it was disappointingly overcooked.

My husband ordered the same and felt the same way – though The bernaise sauce which accompanied it was very tasty and the hand cut chips delicious.

Would I go back again? Yes, without a doubt.

French food can slip by rather unnoticed as it is not really that exciting, but at Simply French there are many mouth-watering sounding dishes on the menu.

Total cost for two starters and two main courses - £32.85 (excluding drinks).