Recently, after a day helping with a house move, I spent a night in a bed and breakfast in Cheltenham. The meal out that evening felt essential – something to restore us, somewhere relaxed, with good food, not too expensive, and not too far away. A quick hunt online found me La Petite Brasserie, and a table for that Saturday night.

It was an easy walk to the restaurant, energised by the music and chat pumping out of the pubs, all bursting with customers. Everywhere felt busy and the mood upbeat.

La Petite Brasserie was tucked in amongst a neighbourhood of small businesses. I stepped inside having no idea what to expect. My first impression was correct – it was very full and there were no tables free. After a little discussion, and cheerful rearrangement, a table was found, and the house movers arrived.

We settled in for what proved to be a wonderful night of friendly service, delicious extras, and beautifully presented, tasty dishes of freshly-cooked food. My starter was a small cheese soufflé served on thin slices of juicy pear, followed by a main of four miniature portions of different vegetarian curries, each served with tiny poppadums and the best chapati I have had. The wine, an American pinot noir, fitted in perfectly.

Two and a half hours later, after an evening of real texture and character, we wandered fatly back towards our beds.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023