Always one of our favourite things to be invited to, the Charles Street Summer Menu was launched in true style last night with a tasting by local media and hoteliers. Stephen Richards (aka Lola) was also on hand to offer a unique commentary on the dishes on offer (cue the jokes about getting stuck into a Lasagne in Charles Street!)

Charles Street may not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to food, but there's always a brisk trade throughout the week for lunch and early evening dining. The prices are astonishingly low, which can lead to a certain amount of scepticism -- but the food is actually very good.

The newly launched menu has some of the old favourites with a couple of excellent additions. We tried a selection of the Small Plates & Sharers which you can order on their own, or in groups of four - ideal for tapas-style picky food. Chicken Wings & Onion Rings, Spicy Battered Prawns and Home Cooked Nachos were all a hit and the Feta Salad with fresh basil being particularly well received.

The menu also boasts a great range of baguettes, wraps & jackets and we were all tucking into the Ham, Egg, Tomato & Mustard Mayo Baguette (the mustard mayo had a great zing to it).

The salad range has been extended this season and we have to agree that the Super Caesar was pretty good - lots of chicken and generous with the parmesan shavings.

Next up was the Spicy Meat Feast Burger. If you like it hot, then the jalapeños piled on top of a juicy burger gave it a very definite kick.

Two more new mains are the Minted Lamb Leg Steak and the Ham Hock with Scrumpy Cider Sauce - all of which are great any day of the week and are also on offer on Sundays as an alternative to the Roasts.

As the puddings started to arrive, we had a little trouble holding everyone back so that we could photograph the dishes and with a very yummy Tiramisu Slice, Chocolate Puddle Pudding and Cherry Bakewell Pudding on offer, it was easy to see why.

A very impressive evening and we thoroughly recommend you give it a whirl yourself. Take a look at the menu on www.charles-street.com and pop in for a bite soon!