Sunday lunch at The Depot is always full and booking a table can sometimes be difficult. It is a haven for families at that time, and the restaurant is full of hustle and bustle. A mid-week lunchtime, however, is a totally different experience.

Imagine if you will a crisp sunny lunchtime in January and a table right by the river - any nearer and you would have to be in a boat to eat your lunch! It is a glorious location, if your companion is rather quiet you can look out and watch the crews battle the tide from Hammersmith to Putney. The buildings originate from 1901 and were originally the stables and coach houses for the Barnes Council refuse depot - hence the name.

The set menu offers 2 courses for £12.50 or 3 from £15.50 but there is also a wide range of choice on the main menu including oysters by the 1/2 dozen.

On of our table opted for 2 courses from the set menu and the other two were tempted on to the main lunch menu. The carpaccio of yellow fin tuna £6.35 was wonderful (but make sure your diners don't mind garlic!) which was followed by a very tasty roast cod with grilled aubergines and cavalo nero £13.50 accompanied by a crisp glass of Chilean Alameda 2008 Sauvignon Blanc(£4.15 Large glass £5.50 Bottle £16.00). One of my companions was slightly disappointed by the crispy duck and watercress salad (main menu price £6.80) due to a heavy sauce which masked the flavour of the duck. She was, however, most impressed with the calf’s liver with crispy pancetta, baby onions and wild mushrooms (main menu price £13.30) which was soft, tender and extremely tasty.

The third diner chose a starter of flaked roast salmon with tuscan bread salad - the flaked salmon was attractively presented on its bed of salad and the combination of textures was a winnerand Roast Landroc pork with chestnut stuffing, parsnip mash, apple compote and very crisply crackling! Both these dishes got his thumbs up for portion size, taste and price – only £12.50 from the set menu!

Sadly we were unable to manage any of the tempting puddings which were available as we had eaten such a splendid meal already. The choices included Prune & Armangac creme brulee with shortbread, Blueberry & almond tart with creme fraiche and honey, and warm chocolate cake with pistachio ice-cream and raspberries to name a few all priced at £4.85 or a selection of cheeses (£7.50).

Currently to make the meal even more attractive you can get £10 off by printing the voucher (click on the link) if you have a minimum of two courses off the "a la carte menu" between now and 28th February (note not available on Valentine's Day or Sundays). So I would recommend cheering yourself up in this chilly time with lunch or dinner at The Depot.

Sandi Bloomfield