Arbor Lights, Lichfield Street, Walsall

Mar 20 2008 By Wayne Stackhouse

SUNDAY dinner with the folks proved the ideal opportunity to discover if the Arbor Lights is still arguably the best for pub grub in Walsall.

Certainly the formula hadn't changed in the many months since I was last there.

There's a reasonable number of interesting starters, mains and sweet choices as well as sandwich and tapas options.

The ambiance remains a mix of traditionalish pub meets the sophisticated and the service was as efficient, friendly and attentive as ever. It seemed the Sunday offerings were a bit more limited than during the normal week with two or three courses for set price options.

For starters it was a ham hock terrine for dad and me. It was deliciously satisfying without being too heavy to spoil our appetite for the mains.

My mum's lentil pate proved a winner, as did her traditional Sunday main course - roast beef. Coming with all the expected trimmings, a sample taste of the meat proved succulent and cooked to perfection for this particular dish.

Equally my corn-fed chicken with pac choi and spinach, coming with roast potatoes, worked superbly, resulting in a mouth-watering delight. No room left for dessert but everyone was left feeling amply satisfied.

This is pub grub that's certainly not your bog standard and while it may cost a little more than average, it's certainly worth the extra.

* The Bill

PLUS: Quality, imaginative fayre with friendly, efficient service in modern, stylish and relaxed surroundings.

MINUS: Limited choice sweets which were all essentially sorbet based.

* Verdict

Ham hock terrine (x2) . . . . . . . . . .£4

Lentil pate................... £2

Roast beef................ £9.95

Chicken (x2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21.90

Bottle of white wine . . . . . . . . . £13

TOTAL.................. £50.85