THE Slug and Lettuce was a delicious experience, despite the slightly daunting interior.

The pub in The Cross, Worcester, was empty of customers when I walked in on a Saturday morning.

After ordering a bacon and cheese burger - along with a latte and a pint of Peroni - I took a seat at a table in the corner of the grand hall.

The last time I was at the venue was for a Salsa night, when the hall had been cleared of tables and served as a dance floor.

Pop music blasted through the sound system as I inspected the stained glass windows, which almost reach the building’s high-ceiling.

My latte arrived three minutes after I made my order and I was frustrated to find that I did not come with any white sugar.

Instead, I received two brown sugar packets and a teaspoon which was too short to reach the bottom of the glass without dipping my fingertips into the coffee.

Later a couple of customers wandered in and ordered red cocktails.

They took up the furthest table away from me, adding a little colour to the venue.

Some 12 minutes after ordering, my burger arrived.

The barmaid smiled as she delivered the food and fetched a bottle of ketchup after asking if I would like any sauces.

The burger was succulent and had a delicious smokey flavour - although the bottom bun was cold.

Sliced gherkins were laid out next to the burger, instead of being recklessly thrown inside as is the practice at some other restaurants.

Salt and pepper were already on the table.

While I tucked into my meal the couple opposite me had reverted to their smartphones and abandoned any attempt at conversation.

At one point the man looked up and cracked a joke, before returning to his device.

A group of lads - mainly wearing skinny jeans and t-shirts - then entered the pub and livened up the atmosphere of the near-empty building.

They looked like they were in their late-20s and most of them ordered pints, presumably to recover from the night before.

As I finished off my meal, Robbie Williams’ anthem No Regrets started to play through the speakers and I realised it was my time to leave.

The overall experience was a good one and the poor atmosphere was mainly down to the timing of my visit.

One thing I really appreciated was that the barmaid did not bother me during the meal to ask whether I was enjoying the food.

I’ve always found this mid-meal check slightly patronising. If I had a problem with the food I would not need to be prompted to express my dissatisfaction.

As a stoic Brit it would take a lot to make me complain and if it was that bad I would not want another complimentary meal.

Despite the positives I couldn’t help but think that the prices were higher than they should - but if people want good food in a stylish setting this is the place to go.

I paid £9.49 for the bacon and cheese burger, £2.35 for the latte and £4.50 for my Peroni pint.