Nestling on the banks of the River Teviot, four miles west of the beautiful market town of Kelso lies Teviot Smokery. What started out as a small fish smoking enterprise has expanded into a fantastic garden centre, delicatessen, shop and restaurant, and is well worth a visit any day of the week.

The restaurant is in a beautiful circular conservatory surrounded by views of the stunning Borders countryside. Light, comfortable and stylishly organised, Virginia creeper drapes itself around the windows and woodwork, creating a sense of the outside inside.

The restaurant was busy with mixed clientele on the day we visited. Lunch is served daily from noon until 4pm, with a menu that features sandwiches and baked potatoes with various fillings, as well as a fabulous selection of fresh seasonal foods. My starter of spicy parsnip and apple soup was rich and substantial with lovely hints of spice and the sweet tang of apple. My partner devoured the marinated Orkney herrings with thick bread and creamy butter, and a salad garnish to complete.

The chicken cranachan, which saw slices of chicken breast and leeks bound in a smoked cheese, honey and mustard sauce, topped with cheese and oatmeal was expertly cooked; the chicken being tasty and tender and the sauce, with its subtle smokiness and mustard kick, was superb.

There was a fabulous range of mains to choose from; baked salmon with ginger and chilli, Antiguan beef stew with coconut rice or local sausage on a bed of mash with onion gravy, but my partner chose the grilled smoked haddock on a bed of leeks and wild mushrooms with a wild mushroom and cream sauce.

I was unable to resist a taste, leaving me craving more. For dessert, the sticky toffee and ginger pudding with a scoop of ice cream was outstanding and the banoffee pudding had the largest amount of toffee I have ever seen in a dessert. All in all a most delicious visit, and we will be returning in the not too distant future.