You couldn't pick a more idyllic spot in West Yorkshire to enjoy a summer evening's run out and meal.

The Grouse Inn at Oldfield offers a fabulous view across the moorland above Oakworth, with Haworth to your left and the bleak landscape of Top Withens to your right. Established as a tavern since at least 1852, the building on the outside manages to retain a lot of its olden day, rustic charm. The parking for The Grouse is good but on a busy day you may end up on the overflow grassed section.

A recent modernisation and extension has created an informal bar/eating area that is light and spacious, with large windows that frame the fabulous view, plus a more formal restaurant section. Due to the glorious weather on this occasion, we decided to eat outside on a flagged patio area decked with picnic benches and parasols. There's a very large grassed area that is ideal for children to run and play.

We started with some cooling drinks. My wife and brother-in-law had a Diet Coke with ice and lemon and I went for their freshly squeezed orange juice perfect!

The friendly staff gave us just the right amount of time to deliberate over the standard menu and the specials board.

I plumped for the steak, ale and mushroom pie with steamed vegetables and chips off their standard menu. My wife went for a Thai green chicken curry with lemon rice and prawn crackers. My brother-in-law had their locally produced Venison sausage on a bed of sliced black pudding and mashed potatoes, both from the specials board.

The food arrived in good time and was piping hot. The pie was a good, healthy slab, packed with tender, melt-in-the-mouth steak, peppery shortcrust pastry and a rich ale gravy. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, full-flavoured with a slight crunch and their chunky chips are just divine.

My wife thoroughly enjoyed her Thai curry, which again didn't skimp on the chicken and had a delicate but not overpowering taste or heat. The rice was soft and not too sticky with just a hint of lemon, but it did tend to get lost when mixed with the curry. The prawn crackers were, well, just prawn crackers, but a nice extra.

The venison sausages also went down a treat with my brother-in-law. He said his was a very rich dish with an excellent combination of flavours, helped by a deliciously fragrant red wine gravy. Beware you may struggle to find room for a dessert after this dish.

For dessert, I went for my favourite American baked cheesecake with raspberry coulis. This is again a good portion with a creamy cheesecake topping and light sponge base, complimented nicely by the raspberry. Just delicious.

My wife had the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream. I had a taste test and can say I'll be ordering it on my next visit as it's probably the best sticky toffee pudding I've tasted. My wife totally agreed.

My brother-in-law managed to make room for the old school pudding of the day. On this occasion it was jam roly poly with custard. Again a good helping and thoroughly enjoyed.

Being local, The Grouse is now our regular eaterie. They offer well presented, top quality, traditional pub grub, with that home-cooked feel.

It's a friendly and inviting establishment that prides itself on being more than just a chain pub/restaurant. Faultless!

Main course Thai curry £9.95 Venison sausage £10.95 Pie of the day £8.95 Desserts Sticky toffee pudding £3.95 Jam roly poly £3.95 American baked cheesecake £3.95 Drinks 5xDiet Cokes 1xfresh orange Total cost £50.55 Food Four stars Service Four stars Atmosphere Three stars Value for Money Four Stars Parking: There is a car park at the pub.

  • Our writers comment on what they find during a single visit. They accept standards vary from day to day. In the interest of fairness, they do not reveal their identities, and they pay for their meals in full. Each venue is judged against other restaurants of a similar type.