KEYSTON.

lf you are looking for a gourmet meal in pleasant surroundings with a pint of real ale as well as bubbly, then this is your place. Don't expect to come away with any change from £50 if there are three of you eating. That said this 'pub' is set in some beautiful countryside. Getting to it is not easy from the north as you need to cross the busy A14 and there is no flyover or roundabout. Once in the village keep following the signs (small and neat) until you find the pub at the end of the road. A thatched roof welcomes you to the pub, the car park is at the side. You can sit out front in the summer, but the sun doesn't really catch here in the afternoon. Once inside you can see that it is a series of conversions from a row of cottages - assorted farm implements adorn the walls. The bar faces you here. It is a small affair as befits what is really an eating establishment. However, there are always two guest ales on plus Adnams Bitter. All were served well, though slightly colder than normal. They also do a selection of Belgian beers on draught and plenty of wines, the choice is almost limitless. Seating in the bar area is a mixture of sofas by the real fire and old pews at square tables. A seating area round to the left has ordinary dark wood square tables and chairs, though mind your head on the ceiling as it is low here. The restaurant area to the right towards the gents toilets has mainly large round tables to seat up to 8 people and when we visited these were full of families having Sunday lunch. Food is impeccable with top London restaurant choices and prices - £15.95 for a single course (most main courses were this price). This may not seem high, but there was nothing for vegetarians and even soup was nearly £4. One of our party had an open beef sandwich with small nut salad and paid £6.95! For those who prefer not to smoke there is an area set aside and music is not played throughout. Access for the disabled is not good and there is a step to the gents toilet. The Pheasant is part of Huntsbridge Ltd who have pubs at: Huntingdon - The Old Bridge (01480) 452681; Madingley - Three Horseshoes (01954) 210221; Great Yeldham - The White Hart (01787) 237250; Fotheringhay - The Falcon (01832) 226254.

	Symbols:		Open:	Monday-Saturday:	Sunday:	Map	Pics:
				12-3, 6-11	12-3; 7-10.30