JUST where do you take a hungry student offspring for lunch after an early morning jaunt to Basingstoke for the sales?

The Andover town centre venue I had intended to review was closed on Boxing Day so my thoughts turned to the Chalkhill Blue just a mile or so out of town.

Andover’s newest pub has been enjoying its first Christmas and on our visit it was moderately busy, although a table for two was readily available without pre-booking.

There seemed to be staff in copious numbers, all looking very busy, but I have to say service was a little on the slow side – if admittedly very friendly.

It took time for the drinks to arrive, orders to be taken and for the first course to arrive.

On Boxing Day that didn’t really matter as most people are not really pressed for time but on a busy work day, when most people are restricted to an hour for lunch, it might be worth thinking about.

The pub is from the Marston’s stable and my beer, a pint of pedigree, was pretty sound though as is usual in modern food pubs, served far too chilled for my liking.

Of course it did warm up to the required temperature as we waited for the food to arrive.

The starters were very good value.

Garlic mushrooms served with rustic bread for a mere £2.95 while my son enjoyed his rustic bread and olives very much.

The quality of the bread was excellent and I will make a point of having it again when I return.

The signature dish of this establishment appears to be a number of varieties of rotisserie chicken.

I chose to indulge in the coq au vin chicken which was nicely cooked with the flesh still moist and tasty without being greasy to the extent that it is in some establishments known for their chicken.

My son chose the beef and pedigree pie, which was a proper pie and not a cobbler and he seemed well satisfied – though the pastry would not have found favour with me (but I’ve been thoroughly spoilt by so much home cooking over the last 55 years by an assortment of well-trained pastry cooks in the form of grandmothers, mother, wife and motherin- law).

The vegetables were reasonable and edible but lacked a little in the way of taste.

Portion size here are very good, so if you manage three courses I’d say ‘well done’.

Despite being tempted by the dessert offering we both decided on a coffee to finish off.

My coffee was fine but my son questioned whether his latte should really be topped with chocolate.

I know little of such coffee shop niceties but he decided to remove it with his spoon.

The Chalkhill Blue provides a pleasant addition to the area’s choice, offering good value for money at £34.12. I’ve no doubt I’ll be returning for more of their chicken.

STEVE DANCEY