A belly-busting mixed grill and live footie on the big screen - what more could a man ask for! At Lillibets in Liversedge it was just the way to kick off the new Millennium.

Having had to fight our way to a table on previous visits, we were surprised to find the place more or less deserted last week. Perhaps everyone was still recovering from festive over-indulgence .

There's plenty to choose from on the menu - traditional pub grub, Chinese, Indian and old-fashioned comfort food like braised steak, liver and onions and corned beef hash as well as some interesting vegetarian dishes.

I chose winter velvet soup (£1.75) which came with a hot baguette and butter, while Lee plumped for Chinese spring roll with prawn crackers and sweet and sour sauce (£2.25).

The mixed grill came with a warning - not for the faint-hearted - and indeed it was with some trepidation that I embarked on the huge platter. Rump steak, pork and lamb chops, gammon, two sausages, a fried egg, mushrooms, onion rings, chips and peas! Phew! I managed it though. At £8.95 it was one of the most expensive items on the menu but worth every penny.

Lee continued with lamb pathia served with rice, naan and mango chutney (£6.15). It proved to be a tasty dish and deceptively filling.

After a considerable break - we watched EastEnders on the large-screen TV - we (or should I say Lee) decided we could share a pud. It was a chocolate concoction (what a surprise!) aptly named Chocoholics Dream, and that about sums it up.

Lee decided to finish with a liqueur coffee and I - the driver - settled for a plain cappuccino.

Wine prices are very reasonable with the cheapest bottle £5.99. However, we had a litre carafe of the house dry white at £8.50.

The bill came to £33.46 which was excellent value for money and we'll definitely be back. In fact, the kids sulked all evening when they found out they couldn't come with us as they enjoy Lillibets so much.

Sunday lunches start at £5.45. If you want a late lunch or early dinner on a weekday, why not try their Pocket Watch menu - served from 2pm to 6pm - where you can have three courses for just over a fiver.

Kids are well catered for with a special children's menu and indoor and outdoor playing area.

Alan Birkenshaw

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.