I'VE read good and not so good things about the Otter at Kegworth, both about food and service.

But we went with an open mind, determined not to allow any negative vibes to cloud our judgement before we'd even stepped over the threshold.

The setting of this rural riverside pub must be inviting on a hot summer's day.

But, on a cold snowy lunchtime in February, it was another attribute that we found so welcoming.

A roaring open fire was just the job for warming the cockles and we made a beeline for the nearest table.

We intended to have a sandwich. So how was it we ended up having a three-course meal?

The fixed-price menu, which operates until 5pm – even on Saturdays – was enticing, especially the list of main courses where I could have eaten any one of the six.

When I'm torn between two starters I secretly hope Mr P will choose one, so I can nick a bit – I mean sample for the sake of writing a detailed and well-rounded review – while I pick the other one.

This he did, opting for the root vegetable soup which, I can vouch, was thick, warming and flavoursome.

The only (minor) grumble was the pats of butter which came with the two hunks of brown bread were too cold to spread.

The sweetcorn fritters I'd ordered were a rainbow of colour: three chunky yellow-dotted fritters on a bed of red pepper and tomato relish, topped off with watercress.

Did they taste as good as they looked? Well, yes. The fritters were crispy on the outside, soft inside and gently spiced up by the relish.

Pinning the main course down to grilled mackerel fillet proved a good choice.

The white fishy flesh had a far more subtle taste than the smoked variety. It was brought to life by half a Piedmont red pepper, roasted with garlic and rosemary and accompanied by a decent sized portion of new potatoes and a handful of green leaves.

I was so engrossed in my own food that hubby demolished his toad in the hole with Cumberland sausages, peas and caramelised onion gravy before I got round to asking for a bite. But he assures me it was spot-on.

Having already eaten far more than the proposed lunchtime sandwich, I thought I might as well go the whole hog and ordered a gypsy tart for pudding.

Sweet gooey mouthfuls of caramel brought the memories of school dinners flooding back (in a good way) and, if I was to grumble, it would only be to say it was so nice that I could have eaten twice as much!

With one course costing £6, two £8 and three £10, it was darn good value for money.

For a dismal wintry midweek lunchtime, the restaurant was surprisingly busy so I'm guessing the fixed-price menu is quite a draw.

We had no major complaints about the food, nor the service from our waitress, who delivered just the right level of efficiency and pleasantries.

If you live across the other side of Nottingham I wouldn't say the Otter warrants a special trip but if you're in the neighbourhood (on the A6 between Loughborough and Kegworth roundabout) it's certainly worth a visit.