 THE last time I visited the Stamford Bridge Inn on the A51 at Tarvin a helicopter landed on the lawn. This was a few years ago, when carpets were swirly and roast dinners were very much de riguer. After a revamp in April the interior is unrecognisable, as is the menu. I can't vouch for the helicopter owner, but I'd say it's certainly worth a flying visit on the evidence of last Sunday evening. And I can prove that a lot of people thought the same thing. 'I've just seen four people from school,' said the thirteen-year-old, waving and blushing in quick succession as she greeted girlfriends, then a sixth former taking the drinks order. And then there was the ten-year-old's classmate and family, who we'd bumped into only last month at a different restaurant. 'Sunday night treat?' I whispered to his mother. 'For the children,' she said loudly and then winked at me surreptitiously. Well, as busy mums with hectic lives, is there anything more relaxing than eating a meal you didn't cook - particularly on a Sunday? It extends the weekend and paves the way for an easier start to the week. (That's the argument I use, anyway, and you're welcome to borrow it). We were all there, admiring the 'new look' Stamford Bridge. It was out with the chintz and in with the polished wood floorboards, open fires, candles and muted lighting. It's trendy without being intimidating and has overtones of The Goshawk at Mouldsworth - which makes sense when you realise that it has the same management team. However, the menu is slightly less adventurous and the prices a little keener. Not to beat about the bush, it's probably more child-friendly. At least that's what the ten-year-old must have thought when he opened the menu and said: 'The food's really good here.' I looked at husband, P, as a vision of our son flashed before my eyes. I always thought he went football training with his pals on Friday night. Was he in fact having a couple of J2Os and a main course at the Stamford Bridge instead? 'How do you know?' I asked. And he looked at me as if I was mad. I scanned the menu and the penny dropped. With a choice of sausages and mash with onion gravy (£6.95), steak and kidney pie with chips (£8.50), steak burger with bacon and cheese (£7.50) and chicken tikka with rice and naan bread (£8.75), there was enough choice to satisfy every comfort food-loving boy under the age of 16. The over 44s however, were a little harder to please. 'Don't you fancy the monkfish wrapped in Parma ham?' I asked, sure that would be my husband's choice. But I was wrong. And neither the baked sea bass (£10.95), nor the fish pie (£8.50) could tempt him either. But let's start at the beginning. Or should I say, begin with a few starters. | 
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