I AM enticed to visit The Plum Pudding in Milton mainly because its name rolls off the tongue with such satisfaction – I am intrigued to find out if it as quaint as it sounds.

Families are out in force in the village as we drive through, child witches and werewolves skipping along with plastic buckets brimming with treats.

A creepy doll sat under a tree outside the pub gives me a shock, but hopefully he is just a Halloween guest rather than a regular fixture.

The pub's exterior is as charming as its name, a waterfall of flowers tumbling from hanging baskets against the brickwork.

Staff managed to accommodate us last minute despite also hosting a games team tonight, and show us past a wood-laden open fire to our reserved table.

A ledge just below the ceiling is crammed with bottles of ale that line the restaurant all the way around, while ribbon-wrapped jars stuffed with fresh flowers perk up the tables below.

Picking from a simple sheet of A4 where the menu is listed, I order the seabass (£14) while Tom asks for beef stew with dumplings (£11.50).

We share a starter of warm bread with hummus and olives, the chickpea dip dusted with paprika and packed with flavours of olive oil and garlic.

It is so tasty that I even sneak a forkful of it when the bread runs out.

Our mains look equally tantalising when they arrive, my two pieces of fish swimming in a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce on a rock pool of potatoes.

My eyes widen as I take the first mouthful, the ingredients marrying perfectly with sun dried tomatoes and a smattering of herbs.

Tom nabs a bite and says it is one of the best sauces he has ever tasted, delighted when I pass to him to finish when the richness becomes to much.

The flavour and presentation of both courses is on par with some of the better gastropubs I have been to, though it does not pitch itself as one.

I am too old to play trick or treat, but I did come out feeling just as smug as the sweet-laden children we saw on our way in.

The Plum Pudding, High Street, Milton, 01235 834443.