PETER BARRON returns from a weekend trip to Dublin and calls in at a popular County Durham eating out venue

WE'D flown to Dublin for the weekend and were on our way back down the A1 from Newcastle Airport approaching Sunday lunchtime.

Having had a less than appetising eating experience at the airport on the outward journey, we needed a safe option for Sunday lunch: somewhere close to the motorway and with a reputation for good food.

The County, overlooking the attractive village green at Aycliffe Village, is one of those places which frequently crops up when discussions turn to decent places to eat out, so that's where we headed.

We hadn't booked but, arriving relatively early at 11.45pm, we were readily found a comfortable table, and ordered a lovely pint of Evensong ruby beer from the Durham Brewery for me, a glass of nicely-chilled Sauvignon for my wife, and a coke for our son.

A selection of fresh bread, white and granary, also arrived to keep us going until the starters were served. Chef's cream of carrot and coriander soup for me – smooth and really tasty – and King prawns in garlic butter, with pea shoots and cress for my wife and son. Plump and in a lemony sauce, the prawns got a big thumbs up.

For mains, I opted for the Chicken Sunday lunch. Piping hot, with a good portion of chicken and an array of crisp vegetables, it wasn't quite as good as my wife's Sunday lunch but I probably have to say that. A couple more roast potatoes to add to the three on my plate wouldn't have gone amiss but, all in all, no complaints.

My wife went for the fish and chips and throughly enjoyed them: fresh fish, beautifully cooked, and proper home-made chips.

My vegetarian son chose the Hellion goats cheese and spinach tart with Indian tomato chutney, with home-made chips. He can be fussy but there wasn't a scrap left.

By 1pm, the place was filling up and we also noticed a steady stream of visitors calling in to pick up takeaway Sunday lunches. A recent initiative, The County takeaway Sunday lunches are doing a roaring trade at a reasonably-priced £6.50, with chicken, pork and beef options. What a great idea!

There wasn't much room left so my son declined a dessert and my wife and I shared a delicious rhubarb and apple crumble served with custard.

Our bill came to £79.15 which we thought was fair enough.

The County certainly is a safe bet if you're looking for somewhere to eat. Easily-located, cosy, and well-managed, serving decent, home-made food at reasonable prices. It thoroughly deserves its enduring reputation.

One small criticism would be that it was a little chilly on our side of the room. We envied the log burner on the far side and it might be worth adding another.

That said, we'd have no hesitation in calling in again – either for a sit-down meal or a takeaway Sunday lunch.

FOOD FACTS

Food: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Service: 4/5

The County,

Aycliffe Village,

County Durham,

DL5 6LX

Telephone: (01325) 312273

Website: thecountyaycliffevillage.com

Food served: Monday to Saturday 12:00 noon - 2:00pm; 5:30pm -9:00pm; Sunday 12:00 noon - 9:00pm.