Island Restaurant & Bar, Lancaster Terrace

From the outside this restaurant doesn't look too inviting—the poor welcome not helped by an unmanned reception desk—but inside the staff are friendly and purple mood lighting creates a cosy atmosphere. At the bar you can enjoy a delicious cocktail and generally sit back and unwind a bit before thinking about your order. The menu is influenced by British and European cooking, with dishes such as beer-battered sustainable Pollock and hand cut chips, Loch Duart salmon and linguine with prawns.

The portion sizes are generous. I started with a huge bowl of Cornish mussels, which were well cooked in a sauce packed with flavour. A main of monkfish kebabs was delicious, the skewered meat succulent and moreish. Although I didn't really need a dessert I went for the pancakes with poached pears, which I thought would be the lightest option. It was indeed light, but unfortunately wasn't quite up to standard. The pancakes were dry and the "poached" pears rather hard. The wine however, didn't disappoint—a Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc, which seemed a little pricey at £27.50, but delicious and worth the mark-up. If just for the cocktails we'll definitely be coming back here again.

Sarah Hanson