EATING OUT: THERE'S nothing more indulgent than lunch with friends on a work day.

Jo, Craig and I headed out of Trowbridge for a relaxing lunchtime treat at Caf Rouge in Bath. The restaurant is just a stone's throw from the main shopping area and yards from the Theatre Royal.

The dining area is divided into two areas, one smoking and one non-smoking, separated by the mahogany-topped bar. The interior is very French, with plenty of dark wood, huge gilt mirrors, candles and mellow gold-coloured walls.

The menu certainly caters for all tastes, and there is plenty to choose from.

We decided to go for a three-course blow out, with Jo starting with the deep-fried camembert, at £3.95, which came with a proper berry fruit compote rather than the usual jam- style accompaniment served in so many places.

Craig worked his way through a sizeable Caesar salad, at £3.25, which had not a hint of iceberg lettuce, but came with a creamy dressing and crunchy garlic croutons.

I chose the onion soup, at £2.95, which was delicious and arrived steaming hot. The only slip up was that it was supposed to come with a gruyere crouton. The crouton was certainly there, but there was no sign of the gruyere.

For her main course, Jo chose the spinach, potato and onion omelette, at £6.35, which came glazed with cheese. She chose the optional mixed salad which took the price up to £7.85.

It was the right size for her sparrow's appetite, but would probably have left a hungrier person peckish. She said it was pleasant, but suspected the eggs had been kept in the fridge and not at room temperature, as the omelette was on the tougher side of fluffy.

Craig worked his way through an enormous bowl of pasta twists, at £7.45, which were tossed in a mushroom, basil and garlic sauce. It was so huge that it defeated even his healthy appetite.

I went for the salmon fillet, at £8.75, which came with a butter and watercress sauce, new potatoes, and a fresh tomato and onion salsa. The salmon was over-grilled on one side and the sauce was more buttery than watercressy.

Jo decided she didn't have room for a pudding, but Craig filled up with a surprisingly light chocolate mousse, at £3.45, which came topped with chocolate shavings. I chose the lemon tart, at £3.55, which was served with creme fraiche.

This was a gentler version of the traditional French tarte au citron which can be so zesty it makes your tongue zing. Our bill, with two diet cokes and a glass of house red wine, came to £46.10.

The service was unhurried and relaxed, and Caf Rouge is ideal for an informal lunch or dinner. The food is not authentic French, but offers good value for money.

Sara Oliver