Every month, the Standard's Pub Spy visits a different pub to give his verdict on the place. Here, he reports on The Greyhound in Siddington.

LURED in by its award-winning Rich Cow pie, I visited the Wadworth-owned Greyhound on a Saturday evening and was instantly impressed by what I saw.

Open fires and wooden beams create a cosy atmosphere, and the menu is equally as easy on the eye with its variety of home-cooked meals, including smoked fish and cheese dishes.

Minutes after sitting down, a cheery barmaid came to our table and warned us that we should order soon as a table of 40 had just arrived – a thoughtful gesture.

As much as the menu looked appealing, I was intent on gorging on the Rich Cow pie, so I was disappointed when the waitress said it was no longer on the menu.

Desperate to keep me happy, she responded to my distress by recommending the steak and stilton pie with greens, glazed carrots and creamy mashed potato (£11.95) and, somewhat begrudgingly, I agreed to give that a try.

My friend chose the pan seared duck breast with creamed mash, seasonal vegetables and cranberry and red wine jus (£14.95).

To start, I ordered a goats cheese and red onion tart on dressed leaves with balsamic glaze, while my companion went for seared scallops with a parsnip puree, crispy pancetta and pistachios .

Both were exquisitely presented and full of colour. My tart had a wonderfully thin and crispy texture and the balsamic glaze added a rich and sweet flavour.

However, the seared scallops were not so good. A mild dish that needs some seasoning, they appeared to have none at all, and the puree was equally weak. For a starter priced at £7.95, this was poor value.

Thankfully, the mains were superb. My pie had thin buttery pastry and the seasoned steak and gravy sauce inside was beautifully balanced by the melted stilton. The greens were fresh and the mash creamy and well seasoned.

My companion’s tender and succulent duck was brought to life by the sweet and spicy jus, while the greens were deliciously fresh and the mash rich and creamy.

To wash down our mains we ordered pints of Horizon (£3.40), a Wadworth ale, and were both impressed by its strong crisp flavour.

Overall, dining at The Greyhound was a delight. With a relaxed atmosphere, staff who fall over themselves to help, fantastic food and appealing drinks, the pub makes a trip to Siddington well worth the effort.

SCORES Atmosphere: 9/10 Decor: 8/10 Staff: 10/10 Drink: 8/10 Food: 8/10 Prices: 9/10 Overall: 8/10