THE Potters Arms in Winchmore Hill is just what a village pub should be- welcoming and community minded with a good selection of drinks and a diverse menu.

At the helm is Richard Edwards, who has been at the pub for nearly three years, and runs it by himself.

As well as offering quality pub food, there is also a bed and breakfast at the premises, which keeps Richard extremely busy.

The pub décor has exposed bricks, beams, and fresh flowers on the table. You have the feeling that you could arrive in muddy boots and no-one would bat an eyelid.

There is plenty on the menu to choose from and to add to this every fortnight the supper club menu changes, which offers two courses for £12 and three for £16.

I went for the blackened Cajun chicken Caesar salad for starters with anchovies, olives and garlic croutons (£5.75).

The fresh salad of rocket and micro leaves piled on top was accompanied with warm chicken breast with just a touch of Cajun spice.

There were lovely shavings of beautiful parmesan cheese on top which was very creamy, and married well with the salty anchovies.

My only very slight disappointment were the black olives, which could have been fresher with a better flavour.

My mum went for the seared scallops with coriander, chilli and lime dressing (£9.95).

There were three large scallops which were meaty and fresh, with a tangy chilli dressing- a bit like a sweet chilli sauce but zestier- mixed in with red onion and carrot making for a crispy salad.

There was a gentle heat to the sauce and my mum savoured every mouthful.

My dad went for the pan fried chicken livers with bacon, brandy cream and toasted brioche (£5.50).

The livers were well cooked and tender with mushroom slices and streaky bacon layered on top- all served in a delightful, tasty cream sauce.

For the main course there is a selection of pub classics including fish and chips, lasagne and a chicken and chorizo pie.

My mum had the pan-fried duck breast on spicy noodles with a hoisin sauce (£14.75).

Proof at how good it was, there was nothing left on the plate by the end. The duck was served as she had asked, which was well done.

The skin was crispy and served sliced on a pile of egg noodles. The sauce was not overpowering and finished the dish off a treat.

Dad had the rib eye steak with house fries, cognac and green peppercorn sauce (£15.95), served blue.

It was a very succulent blue steak, with a well seasoned home made sauce.

I had a special of skirt steak with fries and a chimichurri sauce. This was from the supper menu.

I was so impressed with the quality of the steak, which was served perfectly medium rare and was brilliantly seasoned. It was delicious.

The chips were fluffy and crisp and the chimichurri sauce went so well with the steak- the piquant sauce is a mix of parsley, oregano, chilli and garlic- and complements beef very well.

For dessert I had the hot chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream (£5.25).

It was a large portion of two triangles of soft, cakey brownie and an almost fudge like top.

Dad had the sticky toffee pudding with custard (£5.95). The dates shone through in the recipe and the sponge was very light, served with plenty of custard.

Mum went for the passion fruit creme brulee (£5.95).

It was delightful with a creamy, dense custard and a crisp topping. I loved the passion fruit which made this dessert extra special.

The menu has excellent variety and the food is lovingly prepared using quality ingredients. We all left feeling very satisfied and I hope this pub continues to go from strength to strength.

Go to www.pottersarms.co.uk/