Jacks Cafe, 3 Castlegate, York

12:29pm Friday 15th December 2006

IT WAS an advert that alerted us to this venue.

This nicely appointed cafe, with bright table coverings and shiny metal chairs, was empty when we entered.

As it was after 2pm, we wondered if we were too late for some refreshment.

There was no printed menu, but everything on offer was detailed on boards or display cards.

Coffee ranged in price from £1.60 to £2.50, tea was £1.60 and hot chocolate was £1.95.

Soup with bread, pat with toast, croissants, bagels, freshly made pitta and sandwiches were all priced £2.95.

I also spotted individual crusty pork pies (£1.50) and a slice of turkey pie with cranberry sauce (£1.75).

Ann opted for a fruit scone with jam and cream (£1.75). The scone met with approval. The jam and cream came in separate pots, but the latter had started to evaporate almost before Ann could put it on the scone.

Requesting a pot of tea, this quickly appeared. Unfortunately, the pot was minus a tea bag. The milk sachets and the plastic tea spoon did not impress, nor did the fact a serviette had to requested.

Being a Scot, I couldn't resist the soup of the day, Highland vegetable. It was hot and tasty, but I couldn't tell it apart from any other vegetable soup.

The accompanying bread came with a small dish of butter. I was not offered a serviette.

I completed my snack with a Danish pastry (£1.50) that was difficult to cut as it was served on a saucer.

Like most cafes these days, a 100 per cent fruit smoothie was available in a large glass for £2.95.

By the time we were ready to leave, no one else had joined us.

There are two steps up from the pavement into the caf, which could disadvantage some people.