SITTING aside the River Thames, The Trout at Tadpole Bridge boasts food as idyllic as its setting.

Just north of Buckland Marsh and north west of Kingston Bagpuize, The Trout is a perfect place to retreat to in this hot and muggy weather.

Seating is available outside, but those who want to escape the sun can find a spot in its light and airy interior.

Inside, where I headed upon arrival, manages to maintain an element of class while keeping a relaxed atmosphere.

Staff were instantly attentive and friendly and the menu wonderfully brief - though still difficult to whittle down.

So many of the dishes leap off the single-sheeted menu: corn-fed chicken supreme, cotswold saddle of lamb, Longhorn beef steak burger and 35-day matured Longhorn sirloin steak.

However, looking for something with a bit of lightness and perhaps with a little inspiration from the pub’s title, I went down the traditional root: beer battered haddock with tartare sauce with triple-cooked chips.

For full disclosure, included in the dish is a portion of crushed peas that I, a long-term pea disliker, declined.

It’s going to be hard to now reduce the deliciousness of the dining experience into mere words.

The meal was, quite frankly, out of this world.

I’ve never had chips quite like it - thickly cut and crunchy, bursting with salty flavour.

Each of the brilliant brown squares tasted better than the one that preceded it.

The fish was sublime. I don’t want to sound pretentious when I say that it transcended the boundaries within which I previously thought battered fish resided.

First your teeth have the enjoyable experience of biting away the batter, which is crispy and flavoured to the point of perfection.

The fish concealed behind its batter jacket was whiter than white and beautifully juicy.

The two elements, batter and fish, played off each other like an age-old double act, the Laurel and Hardy of the dinner plate.

Both the fish and chips were complemented excellently by the tartare sauce, which, like every other item on the plate, exceed expectations.

When I urge you to go to The Trout at Tadpole Bridge I do not do so flippantly.

I genuinely want everybody who reads this to go and try the food - specifically the fish, though I’m sure other dishes are just as good.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Call 01367 870382 today.