FOR lovers of dining out, north Lancashire is a hotbed of culinary delights. And one of the best of these can be found amid the unassuming cobbled surrounds of Moor Lane, Lancaster.

Quite Simply Food offers snacks, lunches, and evening meals which are a feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach.

The deli is popular in the day, particularly at lunchtimes with workers able to enjoy lunch indoors or as a takeaway.

In the evening, it takes on more of a brasserie feel, with subtle lighting making for a relaxed and cosy vibe and a mouth-watering a la carte menu with a Beat The Clock offer – with prices lowered between 4.45pm and 6.50pm.

Our table was booked for 8pm and we swiftly ordered drinks – half a pint of Peroni (£1.95) and a Diet Coke in a glass bottle (£1.90).

For starters, my partner chose the chicken kebab (£3.95) and I went for the leek and mushroom risotto (£3.95) which was really tasty.

One of the best bits about Quite Simply Food is the volcanic rock menu, where you can cook your choice of meat or fish on a 400 degrees centigrade rock at your table. And this is made even better because you get a free dessert with it.

From this, I chose the rump steak (£13.95), which was brought out raw and sliced on a plate alongside the blazing hot black Indonesian volcanic rock.

I allowed each piece to cook to roughly medium before making sure I savoured every morsel of this deliciously fresh meat, served with sautéed vegetables, potatoes and sauces.

My partner chose swordfish stir-fry (£10.95), which she informed me was delicious.

We managed to find space for dessert – I went for one of my all-time favourites, sticky toffee pudding (£3.25) and my partner decided on creme brulee (£3.25).

The desserts were the icing on the cake of a lovely evening, made all the better by excellent service from the friendly staff and the surrounds of this quite lovely eatery.

* Total cost for two starters, main courses and desserts, £39.30, excluding drinks.