THE first time we attempted to dine at the Boat House, in Parkgate, was something of a strange experience. We'd made no booking and arrived early - at 6.30 - to be told there were no tables available until 8.30.
 
There was not a soul in the place. Ravenous after a day's work, we took our hunger to more hospitable climes.
 
The next time we tried, we booked ahead. Yes, they were expecting us and, yes, here's your table. And they gave us the menu.
 
It's just as well that there's an extensive wine list and a decent selection of food, since nothing much happened for half an hour. We'd been seated at 6.30 and our order was taken a little after 7pm.
 
We've all heard of relaxed service, but we really were not planning to stay the night.
 
That was something of a shame, since we'd heard this place had improved dramatically since a makeover which involved gutting the restaurant and bar area and creating about as near to a gastro-pub as we get in these parts.
 
Eventually, staff were mobilised and things started to happen just, as it happened, a group of 30 or so people assembled to take tables in the adjoining dining room.
 
We ordered a bottle of False Bay Pinotage from South Africa, which we'd intended to have as an aperitif. There's around 80 different choices on the wine list with offerings from most quarters.
 
Usefully, too, the list of wines available by the glass is extensive and well thought out. That's a rarity, as it's usually have the house wine or keep quiet.
 
The idea of an aperitif was good, but the starters arrived barely minutes after we'd ordered and we had to ask, several minutes later and after managing to catch a waiter's eye, for the wine.