“ANYWHERE that does a decent salad is fine by me,” was my vague and somewhat unhelpful response to my friend’s request for dinner suggestions.

Having returned from two weeks in Florida the day before I was feeling the effects of one-too-many all-you-can-eat buffets and in dire need of something green with a nutritional value anywhere above that of a Big Mac and chips.

I had been welcomed back in style the previous evening by my regular dining companions of Adver_Chris and Adver_Tom, who had decided to take me for a welcome home dinner to Rio’s on Bridge Street for an all-you-can-eat extravaganza. Thoughtful to the end, that pair.

That said, it was an absolutely scrumptious meal, as it had been during our last visit when I had restrained myself from splashing out on the sangria. Still feeling a little delicate from overindulging on Virgin Atlantic’s complimentary vodka on the overnight return flight I avoided the sangria entirely this time, meaning another return visit is still on the cards.

So, trying to get back into a healthier lifestyle (two weeks before Christmas, a foolhardy expedition, right?!) I checked in with a good friend of mine and former colleague, who can regularly be counted upon to sit there judging me from her ivory tower of mung beans, quinoa and tofu while I tuck into something gluttonous and cholesterol-ridden. She has the disapproving arched eyebrow nailed.

Having heard that The Goddard Arms had undergone a revamp of its rooms and was boasting a new seasonal menu we decided to take in the short walk from Adver Towers along Wood Street to the traditional coaching inn. The Goddard holds a special place in my heart for two reasons. Firstly, one of my earliest memories of Swindon was seeing a panoramic shot of Wood Street and The Goddard in a monthly magazine exalting the delights of Wood Street as one of the delights of Swindon, long before I moved here. And secondly it’s where Messrs Adver_Chris, Adver_Tom and I went for our first after work meal. Aww.

So, buttoned up against the miserable December weather we hot-footed it inside the ivy-clad pub so that I could fill her in on my many adventures abroad. Arriving shortly after kicking-out time at the office we found the Arms were surprisingly busy for a Monday evening, with a party already there enjoying a Christmas party, while office folk lined the bar for a post-Monday drink. Being busy on a Monday night, in my opinion, is a very good sign.

I had my first taste of the Goddard’s new festive menu right there and then at the bar when I was sold hook, line and sinker for their mulled wine (£3.49) which warmed me right down to my toes. My dining companion was true to healthy form and opted for a Diet Coke.

Perusing the menu for starters we ummed and ahhed between tomato and mozzarella salad (£3.99) or sweet chilli chicken and pepper skewers (£4.29) before eventually going for crispy calamari (£3.99) and grilled halloumi (£3.99) which we promised to share between us.

The calamari was light and crispy as the menu described, and came served dusted with paprika along with a garlic aioli dip and pea shoots. The grilled halloumi set the bar very high on the salad front, coming with roasted carrots and vine-roasted tomatoes on a bed of seasonal leaves, dressed with rocket pesto.

As for mains, I bravely cast my eye away from the grills and burgers section of the menu and instead went for the sweet chilli chicken salad (£7.79) although I was almost swayed by the chicken risotto (£8.49).

Then the tables were really turned, when my diet-ace dining companion abandoned her super healthy diet in a pre-Christmas binge and opted for the Goddard’s classic burger, upgrading her chips to sweet potato fries in a double pronged attack at my sensible salad. I was wounded.

Though I need not have worried, because the salad that arrived was something else. With an entire grilled chicken breast nestled on a delicate superfood salad of mixed seasonal leaves, baby spinach, half an avocado, spring onion, edamame beans, slow-roasted tomatoes, cucumber, vine tomatoes and mixed peppers along with mixed seeds and a low-fat vinaigrette I was definitely the one sat there looking smug.

Though naturally, my companion would disagree with me - not only because that’s what she does best, but because for a burger coming in at £8.99 it was really quite spectacular. She did say it was slightly overcooked for her liking, but that was my fault for having not specified at the bar that she liked a bit of pink in her meat. Looks like I was picking up the bill then. But even that proved to be a surprise, as both of our meals were on a special menu of two for £10.49, which is offered Monday to Friday.

We certainly could not fault the service of the Goddard’s staff, who went above and beyond the call of duty to make our meal something special, even bringing more drinks over and taking our dessert orders from us at the table to save us returning to the bar (that would be a salted caramel bar for madame - £4.29 - and rhubarb crumble and cream for me - £3.99)

I’m not really a huge fan of chocolatey desserts, but I naturally had a corner of her pudding and think that on a return visit I could quite happily manage a whole one on my own.

Our visit came after the Goddard underwent a £100,000 refurbishment of all its 17 guest rooms and given the miserable weather outside we were quite tempted to book in to a couple of rooms and make a night of it.

Though we ended up thinking better of it – and after a fortnight of gluttony, I could certainly do with the walk home.

The Goddard Arms, 1 High Street, Swindon, SN1 3EG

Tel: 01793 619090

www.goddardarms.co.uk

Parking: Yes

Disabled access: yes

Adver ratings:

Food: 8/10

Choice: 8/10

Décor: 9/10

Customer service: 9/10

TripAdvisor rating: 3.5