You know how it is. You try to concentrate on the food, but you can't because you know you have to go back to work.

But sometimes you have no option.

And a friend had rated the Red Pepper Bistro so highly that I couldn't resist.

She raved about its chicken fajitas, pumpkin soup, lamb dishes and laid-back, cosy atmosphere. She loved it, she said.

Another warned me it was so busy on Friday and Saturday nights that I would struggle to get a table.

But it was worth it, she said, just for the scrummy desserts – particularly the sticky toffee pudding.

So, lunch seemed the obvious answer and three of us piled into the bistro with high hopes.

There was one couple sitting in an alcove – and us.

Still, at least we would get good service, we said. And we did. The staff were friendly and nothing was too much trouble.

The lunchtime menu was comprehensive, with a Mediterranean edge.
It also had a specials board offering the tantalising prospect of a duck and plum sauce pizza.

Red Pepper Bistro is run by Stephen and Cheryl Hall, both experienced chefs, and a small team. They took over the restaurant – which used to be Pizza and Wine – five years ago. The name change gave them the chance to expand the menu and change the vibe.

Anyway, back to the food.

One of our party opted for salmon, prawn and leek crepe in a light vermouth sauce at £5.95.

As he tucked in, his verdict was "very tasty". His only criticism was that there was a little too much oil on the salad garnish.

My vegetarian friend went for homity pie. It was tasty, she said, and obviously home-made with a light crust and a hot filling of cheese, onion, potato, parsley and garlic.

It was accompanied by small new potatoes and a colourful salad. Pleasant enough, reasonable value at £5.95 and very filling. Which meant she couldn't tackle the chocolate fudge cake she had been lusting after.

I resisted the duck and plum sauce pizza and went for the Greek meze.
I wish I hadn't.

It consisted of salad leaves, a ramekin of olives, another of tzatziki, pitta bread, peppers, four chunks of feta, a wedge of orange and a single cherry tomato.

Oh, and a tiny spinach and feta cheese pie, drowned in honey.

I like Greek food, I really do. And I can see the merit in a drizzle of honey for artistic effect – but this was way over the top.

I literally could not taste the pie. It ruined the whole meal which, at £7.50, was also a little overpriced.

The coffee was delicious, it must be said, and the companion who ordered hot chocolate said it was the nicest he had ever had. Absolutely spot on.

The whole thing came in at £30.30 for three.

The atmosphere was... well there wasn't any. But, to be fair, there was no one in, so that's hardly surprising.

It was clean, if a little dingy. But it was a dull day and there was traffic thundering past.

I suspect it is very different at night. Break out a few candles and the place would be transformed into the cosy haven my friends spoke about.

It might be worth further investigation.

And then there's that duck and plum sauce pizza to check out...

Details
Name: Red Pepper Bistro
Address: 39 Broad Street, Halifax
Telephone: 01422 355694

Courier reviews are conducted without the prior knowledge of the restaurant