The Ditch Restaurant and Piano Bar, Walsall

Walsall's Ditch Restaurant and Piano Bar does exactly what it says on the tin,

- but that's not to say it's based in a stagnant mud hollow.

It's the restaurant and piano bit that rings true - The Ditch serves up delicious home-cooked food accompanied by the wonderful sound of a pianist making the most of the electronic baby grand in the far corner.

On the occasions when a real-life Jools Holland or similar is unavailable - on week nights that is - the piano is programmed to play all by itself. Clever little thing.

According to the Ditch's website, staff pride themselves on serving "the highest quality English cuisine" in "a unique and refreshing venue". Yes this is no generic town centre chain.

Opened by owner Tracey Devey in September 2008 the restaurant, in Town Hill, was an instant hit.

Many of the diners are now on first name terms with Tracey and her staff and as a result there is always a lovely friendly atmosphere or even a family feel to the place.

As a regular visitor, I can honestly say there is simply no other English food restaurant in the town centre like it.

Music is a bit of theme at this high end eaterie - as you would expect with a name like that. But the sound of the well-toned keys in the background creates a lovely ambience and really does raise this dining experience to another level. It would seem that their claim to be unique rings true.

Even the pre-programmed tracks offer a certain something and any young diners will delight at seeing the magically moving keys.

The restaurant recently celebrated its second anniversary with a special music night and West End singer Mark Pincher was grafted in to belt out a few hits. You don't get that at the likes of Pizza Express or Frankie and Benny's.

On my most recent visit there was a very friendly atmosphere with the staff chatting to everyone - they do it so naturally it is easy to see why it has become such a popular haunt among residents. It has just the right rhythm.

There were a good 16 or so fellow diners in the modern style main restaurant at the time. This included a family group of about seven, couples of various ages and one family with children.

The venue has a basement function room which was also in use for a private family event. The Ditch definitely hits the right note and not just for the fine food, but also the high standard of decor with its neutral green shades and modern brown wooden tables with high back seats. It really is in tune with its diners. The black top marble bar even has a small fish tank sitting on top of it. There is also a 'less is more feel' to the place with few pictures on the walls.

Among the menus on offer is an a la carte menu, set lunchtime menu and a Sunday lunch menu.

Dining as a family of four - a quartet if you like - we skipped the pre-concert warm up and went straight for the main performance by ordering a Sunday roast.

The varying meat choices including sirloin pork, beef and chicken breast.

All of the roasts were served with seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. Everything was in the right portions and was served piping hot. The potatoes were a little overdone, but overall we each had a lovely meal.

For the finale, the children enjoyed a duet of sticky toffee pudding with ice cream while the adults opted for the more grown-up desert of crème brulee. The presentation was very swish with square plates and neat portions, and the desserts themselves were absolutely divine. The desert chef is clearly a virtuoso.

Prices vary for the different menus, on Sunday lunch time three courses cost £12.95, two courses £9.95 and one course £6.95.

There is no separate children's menu, so if your little ones do not like roast dinners it may not be the best place to take them, but the staff do serve smaller portions of what's on the main menu.

The Ditch really is a class act and I will no doubt be returning for an encore.

ADDRESS

The Ditch Restaurant & Piano Bar, 1 Town Hill, Walsall WS1 2AP

Phone: 01922 643215

Website: www.theditchwalsall.com