When I last stepped into The Clanfield Tavern, Clanfield, on the Tuesday after a Monday Bank Holiday a couple of years ago, to ask if I could have lunch, I was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't serve lunch on Mondays.

I replied by pointing out it was Tuesday, to which the person behind the bar answered: "But yesterday was a Bank Holiday, so today is Monday."

Unable to argue with that logic, dog, Liz and I went to The Plough opposite, where we enjoyed a superb meal.

The Clanfield Tavern is in very capable hands now, despite having taking so long to recover from last year's flood damage.

A light airy conservatory furnished in modern chunky furniture stands in complete contrast to the series of rooms leading off from the bar area, with their exposed Cotswold stone walls. This means that those staying for lunch or dinner can choose between the olde worlde atmosphere of the main pub area or enjoy the stunning modern look of the new conservatory.

My colleague Chris and I chose the conservatory. Had I brought the dog with me, I could have eaten in the far corner of the bar.

This pub is seriously good now. It's both friendly and atmospheric, and the beer is great. Above the bar hang hundreds of beer mats, which bear witness to the many guest beers served here. Banks Bitter remains on tap continuously, with two different guest ales offered each week.

When we called, Jennings Honey Bole was on tap, also Titanic's Iceberg, a zesty wheat beer which complemented the summer heat perfectly. The Honey Bole was great too, and as its name suggests, it had a lovely honey finish. Yes, I did try both, as I wasn't driving and we wanted to linger over lunch.

As you can see from the photograph of the free-range chicken and mushroom pie I ordered, which came with home-cooked chips and fresh salad (£9.50), my meal was among the most attractive I've ever been served.

That was down to the fact that The Clanfield Tavern now boasts a well-stocked vegetable and herb garden. The flowers that decorated my salad were plucked from the borage herb and nasturtiums growing there in abundance. I think the radishes and the salad leaves were home-grown too. How good it was to enjoy a meal complemented by vegetables that have only travelled a few yards from soil to plate.

The free-range chicken pie was fantastic too, it tasted like a real chicken pie should taste. Loads of juicy chicken pieces and succulent mushrooms. Fabulous!

Chris went for the special lunch deal, which offered him two courses for £10. He began with sautéed field mushrooms on toast with garlic butter, and enjoyed a gigantic salmon fishcake, served with salad from the garden and a lemon butter sauce. His choice was another example of the excellent value pubs such as this offer those who come for lunch.

Sticking to the main menu, I joined him with a starter by choosing the devilled whitebait with saffron mayonnaise (£4.75). I asked if my whitebait could be cooked until crispy and served with loads of lemon. How good it was to discover the request was honoured to the letter. I have seldom enjoyed whitebait more.

The young woman who served us so efficiently beamed when I asked her to compliment the chef.

The vegetarian option served the day we called was grilled courgette and caponata bruschetta served with Tavern salad at £8.50.

The two double espressos we enjoyed to conclude our meal cost £1.65 each and came with a home-made shortbread biscuit.

We left reluctantly, after being shown round the vegetable garden by owner Tom Gee, who should certainly be proud of the way he's turned this pub around. And there are toilets for the disabled.