After a few weeks of eating healthy dinners at home, due to those New Year’s resolutions, me and my husband Phil were glad to be heading out to the Shannon at Bucklesham for dinner.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Shannon at Buckelsham.The Shannon at Buckelsham. (Image: Archant)

Neither of us had been before, but I’d heard good things, particularly about their Sunday roasts.

We weren’t sure what to expect of their weekday menu, but we soon found we were pleasantly surprised.

Driving through Bucklesham, just outside Ipswich, we spotted the pub, which from the exterior looked like many other village pubs in Suffolk.

But inside, the Shannon is light, modern and spacious, with plenty of tables in the dining area.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Shannon at Bucklesham.The Shannon at Bucklesham. (Image: Archant)

There was one other group seated when we arrived, but other parties arrived after we sat down, and we were glad to get our order in before them!

The staff here are very polite and friendly and, after taking our drinks order, our server left us to look at the menu.

And what a menu! There’s a lot of choice on the main menu – even for someone like me, who doesn’t eat meat – plus a specials board too.

I struggled to choose between a salmon dish and the fish pie on the main menu and the salmon and king prawn risotto dish on the specials board.

I finally settled on salmon fillet with herb crushed new potatoes, wilted greens and saffron veloute.

It was schnitzel night on the day we visited, so Phil was trying to decide between a schnitzel, the specials of lamb rump and sirloin or rump steak and ‘the Shannon’ cheese and bacon prime beef burger. As it was named after the pub, he finally settled on the burger.

There were vegetarian dishes to choose from too, including roasted red pepper and goats cheese risotto and Thai green vegetable curry. A gluten-free menu is also available.

Soon, we were able to tuck into our main meals. My salmon was succulent and went well with the sweet, creamy sauce. The cabbage was perfectly seasoned with black pepper. I was a bit worried the herb crushed new potatoes may be too aromatic, but there was just a light scattering of parsley amongst them.

The portion size was just right, as I felt nicely full, although I knew I’d just have to try one of the delicious sounding desserts.

Phil enjoyed his dish, and said that the bacon was particularly nice, bringing out the taste of the burger.

On the desserts board, we could choose from sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie, white chocolate brulee, pear and blackberry crumble, egg custard tart and cheese and biscuits.

I must admit I’d had my heart set on the chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream since we’d first sat down, so I ordered that, while Phil went for the sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce. He asked for custard with it, instead of ice cream.

I savoured every mouthful of my brownie, which was crispy on top and fudgy below, and went well with the ice cream.

By the time I thought to ask for a spoonful of Phil’s sticky toffee pudding, he’d eaten the lot! “It’s worth the trip out here for the dessert alone!” he declared and I had to agree.

I think next time we’ll try the Sunday roast, which includes a vegetarian option – with an offer of buy one roast get a second for £1, who could argue?