If you are yet to go to the Fleur de Lys for food, quite simply, you are missing out.

Recently named among the Top 100 UK Pubs for Outdoor Dining, the Lowsonford inn is a popular destination for walkers, cyclists and locals looking to make the most of its extensive garden seating.

Regularly packed on a summer's afternoon in the sun, the historic pub next to the Stratford Canal has cemented itself as a major local watering hole.

But as its recent award suggests, it is not just the setting of the former 15th century cottages that brings in the crowds - but also its food.

It is probably worth stating early on in this review that it has been a couple of weeks since we were invited down to try the food at the Fleur de Lys. However, in the interim both myself and my dining companion on the night have been back again for dinner - surely a cast iron recommendation if ever you needed one.

On our visit in early July - on the hottest day of the year at that point - we decided to dine inside, making the most of the comfortable and quirky surroundings of the wooden-beamed tavern.

The meal was kicked off by a refreshing pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord for myself - one of the number of fantastically conditioned cask ales available. Meanwhile my partner had an equally enjoyable gin and tonic from the impressive range of gins on offer.

For starters we decided to share the backed camembert. We were unsure whether this would be enough for two, but our waiter on the night (rightly) advised that it would be ample.

And what a great choice it was. Covered with red onion marmalade and served with fresh salad, the molten hot cheese spread on thick, crusty white bread was simply a delight. And while often a complaint with this sort of starter - there was no shortage of bread!

After our visit I was told by a regular that not ordering a pie for my main was close to heresy. The Fleur is well known for its exceptional range of homemade pies, with daily specials also on offer.

However, given the temperature on the day of our visit I decided the sticky beef salad from that day's special menu. A huge bowl of fresh leaf salad, topped with lots spicy, crispy meat and cashew nuts was served - and very quickly eaten! 

Served with a portion of crispy fries, it was a fantastic main which I only just about finished. The sauce coating the beef was a lovely blend of sweet and spicy.

I will take this opportunity to point out on my second visit a chicken balti pie was ordered (from the daily specials) and was absolutely fantastic.

Back to a few days before…my companion ordered the roasted breast of chicken which was served with a Caesar salad packed with fresh gem lettuce, crispy smoked bacon, homemade croutons, anchovies and parmesan. Served with a side of fries and a cheese puff pastry straw, it was another winner. An incredible generous portion filled with lovely fresh ingredients and a very moist flavoursome chicken breast - perfect for summer dining.

Possibly again due to the heat, but also because we were so full from two generous courses already, just the one desert was ordered. Having toyed between the raspberry crème brûlée and the sticky toffee pudding, we went for the classic double chocolate brownie.

Just the right side of rich, the moist brownie was as chocolatey as you would expect. Served warm with vanilla ice cream, it was the perfect end to a lovely dinner.

To find out more head to the Fleur de Lys website here.