I SUSPECT The George Hotel in Colchester has fond memories for many Colcestrians.

On the Saturday lunchtime I took my family, there was a 60th birthday taking place in one room and a wedding reception in another, making more memories for a whole host of people.

Personally The George Hotel was the place my family first met, and immediately fell in love, with my wife and as I sat that looking at her with our children by our side, that momentous meal came flooding back.

Then I wondered why it had taken us so long to come back.

It's a place that's as part of the town as Jumbo and the Town Hall and yet for many years we had both completely passed it by.

And I mean that literally. I honestly cannot remember the last time we went in, even for a cup of tea and some cake.

Which is why when my wife suggested we pay it a long overdue visit, I enthusiastically agreed.

Now under the ownership of the ever expanding Surya Food Group, as soon as we stepped through the door and were greeted by the friendly staff, I remembered why I liked the place so much.

They treat you ridiculously well.

Menu-wise, there's nothing particularly ground-breaking or exciting about what's on offer but then that's not what The George has ever been about.

For starters we all shared plates of squid, crevettes and rustic breads of which the squid was the resounding winner, especially with the boys who loved the crunchy batter, spicy mayo and delicious melt-in-the-mouth squid.

That said I adored the zesty chunky prawns which was great with the various types of breads, in particular the tomato bread.

Next for our mains I had already spied someone else's burger with onion rings coiled around a wooden toothpick perched on top of the bun and an enticing pot of onion relish by its side - and that was for me.

My wife and daughter chose the sumptuous salads, the five bean and feta cheese and prawn smothered in Marie rose sauce respectively, which were astounding value with the amount that was dished up in their bowls.

But perhaps the best value of all were the two boys meals, the whole tail scampi which got a satisfying thumbs up from my middle lad and the chicken goujons, which were proper homemade goujons, which the youngest little man declared were the best he had ever tasted - high praise indeed.

After eating an insane amount of food already, there was no option but to share our desserts.

The boys were entitled to a chocolate brownie as part of their meal, which at just £1 extra, was again ridiculous value, particularly when it arrived, beautifully presented with various fruit coulis scattered around it and big enough to satisfy an adult's appetite.

It didn't last very long.

The red velvet cheesecake with its fruity jelly topping, crunchy base and incredibly light filling was equally as delightful, the perfect ending to a lovely meal.

So when it comes to a great family meal out I suspect my wife and I won't leave so long next time to visit a good old Colchester favourite.

What we ate:

Squid £6.50

Crevettes £7

Rustic breads £4.50

Children's scampi £5.95

Children's chicken goujons £5.95

Angus burger £10.50

Prawn salad £9.50

Five bean feta salad £7.75

Cheesecake £5.95

Children's brownie £1

Our verdict:

Decor 4

Food 4

Atmosphere 5

Value 4

Service 5

Disabled access: Yes