The weather has finally caught up on us and the cold and wet has taken a hold. On these dark chilly nights all you really want is some good ol' |comfort food and a log fire. I don't have one, a fire, so I headed to the Halfway House in Rame to use theirs...

You've probably zoomed past the Halfway House many, many times, but if you are looking for some |delicious and filling pub grub, it is about time you pulled over and popped in.

With all the traditional charm you'd expect of a country inn, the pub already has a growing reputation for its carvey and its dessert menu keeps many a local returning time and time again.

Cosy, warm and inviting we were invited to choose whether to sit in the pub or restaurant area - making a bee-line to the seating nearest the log burner, we settled in to peruse the menu.

Here you'll find the traditional meals you'd expect - trio of Cornish sausage and mash, home-made beef lasagne and Cornish rump steak - the staple dishes are offset with a large|specials board making the most of fresh local produce.

It was on this board that I found my dish for the evening - pork steak in apple and cider sauce, with crispy sage and onion crust, served with rustic chips, onion rings, peas, toms and mushrooms.

Joining me away from this windswept evening was my husband with curry on his mind. Delighted to find a beef madras on the menu, |the deal was done and the meal ordered.

Had we not read the menu so quickly we could have taken |advantage of some of the suggestions our host offered.

A quick word about our host, Peter, friendly and attentive from the off, we were slightly suspicious that he was turning on the charm as he knew I was from the paper - but as we watched him during the course of the evening all of our fears were allayed as he chatted and laughed with fellow |diners.

Given his relative new time in the post (two months) he was knowledgeable and affable - a good mix.

Back to dinner. My eyes bulged when my whopping plateful arrived - would I do it justice? I would give it my best shot!

The apple and cider sauce was light, its flavour not overpowering the pork or the sage and onion crust. The chips were crispy and light, so too were the onion rings (although I |wasn't a fan of my peas, a little overdone). Across the table my hubby tucked into his madras with gusto. With rice, poppadoms and two mini naans it too was a hearty portion.

He declared it |fantastic - |||large chunks of succulent meat, a good amount of sauce to allow for naan bread dipping and just spiced enough for a sniffy nose - apparently a big curry compliment from my other half.

Eavesdropping on Peter chatting to the couple behind us, we learnt that the Halfway House is dedicated to cask ales, wines, and spirits working with Camra to provide tip top tipples.

I'd heard much about the legendary dessert selection at the Halfway House and now was our chance to try it - and it did not disappoint.

Spotted dick, bread and butter |pudding and olde English puddings sit side by side with chocolate fudge cake and ginger ice cream in a brandy snap basket.

Peter recommended the brandy snap basket as his top dessert of the night and he was spot on. His |selection struck such a cord with hubby that he waxed lyrical.

Apparently it was the perfect foil to his curry, cleansing the palate and leaving a fresh taste and invigorating taste.

My chocolate fudge cake with ice cream proved to be my defeat. Rich, chocolately and just that little bit gooey it was the final button buster.

Heartily fed we sat at ease in our surroundings chatting about how we actually wished we lived that little bit closer that we could call in for dessert more often.

With that a group of men came into the bar and ordered a round of drinks... and a dessert, I’m not |kidding.

The Halfway House in Rame, Penryn, 01209 860222 or see www.halfwayhousecornwall.com