SET in a bustling square of Salisbury city, Cote Brasserie is in a perfect spot to watch as the world goes by.

Through the large windows encasing the French restaurant, I spy as tourists mull close to the adjacent and picturesque St Thomas Church while shoppers frantically dash in and out of nearby shops.

The cool and calm eatery proves a haven for the hungry passerby, with a very large restaurant accommodating all sorts of diner, and the menu has a little bit of everything for the continental appetite.

Never being able to resist a bargain, my eyes immediately drift to the lunch and early evening set menu, with two courses for just £9.95 and three for £11.90.

Reasoning that a leisurely lunch spread over three courses will provide me with enough energy to hit the many surrounding shops with renewed vigour, I make my order.

The dishes arrive in perfectly spaced intervals to make tackling a threecourse lunch a pleasure rather than a full-to-thestomach chore.

The pork rillettes accompanied by sourdough bread prove to be the perfect starter – with the freshly baked bread light and airy and the pork meaty and flavoursome.

The chargrilled chicken with garlic butter for main manages to be succulent yet maintains a crispy skin with a generous portion of French fries on the side.

Usually at this point – following two courses – I would be struggling to even think of a sweet but the portions are modest, giving the diner a taste of different dishes, without over-filling the plate.

Admittedly, those with larger appetites would be left hungry but I was happy to see an espresso-cup sized vanilla and rum canelé, tastefully complemented by a berry compote, for my final course The service was polite without being over-intrusive and the light and tasty cuisine left me with a renewed spring in my step, instead of the all-too familiar belly ache and indigestion from a lunchtime overindulgence.

Jen Rivett