JUST because you're veggie doesn't mean you don't like batter. Cue The Woodman pub in Blackpill which has come along with the answer — vegetarian fish and chips. They have replaced the fish with halloumi cheese, and Paul Turner went along with his vegetarian wife and daughters to try it.

Where?

The Woodman, Mumbles Road, Blackpill, Swansea.

Atmosphere?

It was a Monday night so we weren't expecting much really, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a busy car park and plenty of people indoors.

We were far from being cheek by jowl, but it was nice to have people dotted around you — there's nothing worse than being in an empty restaurant with all the staff watching you eating your meal.

Close by was an open fire which completed the cosy feeling — although someone could have done with throwing another log on at some point.

Crowd?

There were a mixture of people there, couples just out for a quiet drink, a few families, although none with very young children.

In many respects it was quite quiet, but that might be more to do with the many internal walls which helped prevent the wind tunnel of sound effect you might get in some larger rooms.

Everyone seemed to be chatting happily, and no-one had to shout.

Menu?

Pretty much everything you would expect from this type of family pub. There was plenty on offer in every category of fish, meat and vegetarian with many dishes around the £7 mark and some more expensive. You'll find traditional favourites and winter warmers.

What did we have?

Being only a semi-vegetarian myself (I eat fish), I was intrigued by the veggie fish and chips option, as was my fully veggie wife. We got three halloumi cheese-filled batter parcels, chips and mushy peas — although we could have opted for the normal kind. The halloumi was delicious. The batter was just the right balance between crispy and melt-in-the-mouth and the halloumi was cooked to perfection.

The chips were good, if not sensational.

My youngest daughter had the tomato pasta from the kids' menu which she was very enthusiastic about — always a good sign. And it was nicely presented, unlike kids' meals in some pubs. And my oldest had Whitby breaded scampi. She was less impressed with her meal, though, describing at as nothing special.

Puddings included a chocolate fudge cake and a lovely sharer dessert comprising toffee pear pudding and strawberry jam sponge with ice cream and custard — a school dinner-style pud, but much better, gorgeous in fact, and very light.

Disability access?

Parking is adjacent to the pub and it's all flat from car park to entrance doors.

The verdict:

The main thing that struck me about The Woodman is how we felt welcomed like regular guests. The service was just about right to make you feel comfortable and unhurried.

Food-wise, it's not cordon bleu, but that's not what you would expect, but it does offer a little refinement above what you might find in other family-oriented pubs.

The bill:

The vegetarian fish and chips came in at £8.15, the Whitby breaded scampi at £7.40 and the children's menu at £4.95 including an ice cream. For dessert, the hot pudding sharer was £6.45, and the chocolate fudge cake £4.35. Side orders of onion rings and garlic cheese flatbread were £1.95 and £2.45 respectively.

A diet pepsi cost £1.95 and an apple juice £1.69. The pub also offers deals of two courses for £8.95 and three courses for £10.95.

Last word?

If you want a warming, cosy night out without any pretension, then the Woodman delivers it.

And a big thumbs up for trying something different for vegetarians. The veggie fish and chips is a great idea, and one we will definitely be returning for.