A VODKA bar might not be your first destination when searching around for a bite to eat, but a recent overhaul at Beaconsfield’s Revolution reveals an inviting space with a solid, varied menu which throws up a few surprises.

After reopening last month following a £250,000 overhaul, the popular nightspot is branching out, with a brighter, more attractive interior for dining and an impressive, covered outdoor terrace.

The surroundings of red beams and floral sofas make for a pleasant eating experience, and one that a friend and I went along to try a couple of weeks after the refurbishment.

The extensive, largely American-inspired menu has not received the same overhaul as the premises - more of a refresh than a re-boot.

New dishes and sides such as crispy goat’s cheese bonbons and panko fried chicken (both £4.95) appear alongside favourites such as the bar’s range of handmade stone-baked pizzas.

Eager to sample as much of the new food as possible, we ordered a range of ‘small plates’ (3 for £13), with a taster of salted almonds and olives while we scoured the menu.

We plumped for a range of options we thought would complement one another - chicken satay skewers, sweet potato and chorizo croquettes, the bonbons, katsu king prawns, the panko chicken strips and sweet potato wedges.

After a pleasingly short wait, our friendly waitress brought out the plates - a colourful array of morsels which looked appetising, if not hugely generous on the portions.

The croquettes are delicious, with the texture of the crispy breadcrumbs and the smooth filling giving way to the sweet-but sharp combination of the spicy sausage and sweet potato.

The bonbons were also very good - soft and incredibly moreish, with the elegant touch of roquito peppers and balsamic pearls sweetening the smooth and slightly bitter taste of the cheese.

A vast array of dips and sauces lent a little moisture to some of the drier dishes like prawns, which though full of flavour, were a touch overcooked for my taste.

Equally, the chicken satay skewer was the wrong side of tender for me, though smothered in rich peanut sauce, it didn’t matter as much as it might have otherwise.

While we were pleased overall with the variety and flavours on offer from the small plates, our appetites weren’t quite sated, and so we both turned to the pizza menu.

Not able to persuade my friend to order the smokin’ hot variety, we chose what was undoubtedly the house special - the vodka pizza.

This gourmet option comes loaded with chicken, chorizo, pepperoni, goat’s cheese, peppers and red onion, but it is the vodka salsa that remains the talking point.

Other than the venue being known for its vast range of vodkas, it wasn’t immediately clear why a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid was chosen as a suitable glaze for the topping.

On first taste, it wasn’t that apparent either, but two slices in the faint hint of the crisp, sharp spirit added an edge that was a little unusual, but definitely not unwelcome.

The pizza was cooked well too - the thinnest of hand-stretched doughs letting the numerous toppings do the talking while remaining well-cooked enough to prevent it from going soggy.

With room for dessert, it would be lunacy not to opt for the New York cheesecake (£3.50), and that’s exactly what I did. This little gem turned out to be the highlight of the meal, with an exceptionally rich, creamy top layer sitting on a supple, buttery biscuit base and flanked with strawberry.

My friend’s chocolate brownie (£3.50) also went down a treat, though a thinner cream may have benefitted the dish more than the whipped accompaniment.

Unlike some bars, Revolution is worth a visit especially for its dining experience, rather than just a drinking destination.

Michelin star it is not, but with reasonable prices, quick, friendly service and plenty of choice in the new, fresh surroundings, it does the job nicely, and is more than just as a stomach settler before a night on the vodkas.

For more details go to www.revolution-bars.co.uk/beaconsfield