The Gate

This is that rare thing: a chic vegetarian restaurant, filled with designer-handbag types rather than the beard & sandals brigade. The laid-back, casual service may have slight hippy overtones but staff are generally helpful & knowledgeable, wanting diners to have a good time. The menu takes its influences from a wide range of cuisines, with starters ranging from Indo-Iraqi potato cake & Caesar salad to tomato & Gorgonzola tart & Thai salad & mains veering from coconut & pumpkin laksa to pasta. Presentation is strong & if the flavours are not quite as defined as they would be in their own specialist restaurants, the choice & overall execution is first rate. Clear labelling helps those on gluten-free & vegan diets & most of the wine list will please the organic brigade. In warm weather, the cobbled courtyard makes a fine outside dining room.