THE Alice Lisle near Ringwood has a reputation for excellent, local food – and it certainly did not disappoint.

The charming country pub, known for its fish menu, has a great family atmosphere and the staff are extremely pleasant and helpful, without being overbearing.

As for the food, the menu is reassuringly concise and centres around a number of mouthwatering seafood options that vary depending on what is available.

In the restaurant's own words, it has "an imaginative and ever-changing specials board that centres on superb seafood".

After eating there, I am inclined to agree. It is not hard to see why the pub has a four-star rating on review website TripAdvisor, with more than 200 excellent, five-star ratings.

Brill was among the day's specials, and special it certainly was.

Served with bubble and squeak, a poached egg, spinach and chive hollandaise, the dish was comfort food at its best.

The venison steak was another treat. Perfectly cooked and served with new potatoes, it comes highly recommended.

The sharp, fruity flavours of beetroot and blackberry cut through the rich, gamy flavour of the meat, complimenting it perfectly.

The bar serves a good range of local ales, while the Virgin Mary is a good choice for those abstaining from alcohol.

For starters, the Smoked Blashford Lake Platter to share (£16.95) is bursting with London porter smoked salmon, Cornish orchards smoked trout, smoked mackerel pate, delicious tartare sauce and lemon. Fantastic.

The menu boasts other pub classics with a contemporary twist, as well as a good selection of starters, salads and sides.

Head chef Maciej Graczyk says: "Every dish is a signature dish".

The kitchen has seasonal, local produce delivered every day from New Forest Marque suppliers, meaning everything is as fresh as can be.

There is a children's menu that uses the same ingredients as the adult version, and every Sunday they serve a traditional roast with all the trimmings.

The Alice Lisle is at Rockford Green, Ringwood, BH24 3NA To book a table, call 01425 474700 Email: alicelisle@fullers.co.uk