The Punchbowl Inn at Crosthwaite has once again scooped the Cumbria Dining Pub of the Year accolade in the 2005 Good Pub Guide. It is the fourth time the Punchbowl has been awarded the honour which, this year, is an even sweeter success for the kitchen and front of house team. Chef-patron Steven Doherty has been busy with his new eatery at Lakeland in Windermere so has had to leave running the pub in the capable hands of his staff who have more than kept up the good work as far as the guide is concerned. "Excellent, imaginative food", it says; "all spick and span"; "delicious food in an idyllic setting". Praise indeed for long-standing Punchbowl culinary duo head chef Anthony Dennis Payne and sous chef Lee Duke; and for the manager, Jamie Slee-Brown, who joined the team a year ago. Foodies should note that Christmas dining starts on December 7 and early bird' dining deals from the a la carte menu continue throughout the year between 6 and 7pm.

To whet your appetite feast your eyes on the following mains roast fillet of sea bass on a mixed bean, new potato & herb salad with a spring onion, lime & chilli crme fraiche with blistered' cherry tomatoes; roast chump of Cumbrian Fellbred lamb served sliced on pesto mash and a ratatouille jus. Desserts include the famous Punchbowl chocolate plate ' with chocolate & orange nemesis, bitter sweet truffle, chocolate & mint tart, and chocolate & Calvados sauce with chocolate ice cream.