THIS week, while at a loose end, I wanted to try something different and, having heard about the opening of Ego Mediterranean in Worcester, decided to sample its delights.

I know what you are thinking “this isn’t a pub” “get a real job, Pub Spy” but in my book, if it is a big building with a bar where you can buy beer, it is a pub.

Ego is a chain of Mediterranean-inspired restaurant pubs that has been growing across the country over the last couple of years, so it was only right that I, as Pub Spy, try it out.

Inside, the pub is nicely decorated, keeping to the traditional theme of the place. It is light and comfortable, and there is plenty of room to sit and enjoy your meal in peace.

When I entered, I was shown to my table by a very nice waiter, who showed me the two menus that were on offer.

The first, the lunchtime menu, featured starters for £4 and mains for £7, pretty reasonable if you ask me.

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There is also a main menu, which is significantly more pricey, you can easily pay £18 for your meal if you go for something from that one.

I decided, given that this is a Mediterranean inspired place, to go for fried calamari with garlic aioli for my starter, and I was not disappointed.

The generous helping of calamari was delicious when given some salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

I was surprised at how generous the portions are considering I had heard murmurings that Ego restaurants were a bit stingy with the size of the meals, but I certainly had enough on my plate.

For my main course I decided that it wouldn’t be Pub Spy without that age-honoured classic: cod and chips.

The fish was beautifully cooked; flaky and full of flavour.

Again it was enhanced with the holy trinity of salt, pepper and lemon.

There was a generous helping of chips that were surprisingly light and, again, delicious.

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I washed down my meal with a pint of Estrella, opting for something a bit more Mediterranean.

(I am aware that the guy who created Estrella was a German from Alsace, but he lived in Barcelona so it counts, I believe).

I would normally have a dessert, and the dessert menu looked impressive, but I was full up after first two delicious courses, so I asked for the bill and was on my way.

I would definitely recommend Ego as a place to go for a nice meal and a drink.

Each night has a different theme: Wednesday, for example, is tapas night, and some of the offerings on that menu include lamb kofte, fried prawns in chilli, and a host of other things which sound delicious.

So yes, it is not exactly a pub, but it is somewhere you can go if you want to get out of the cold, have a drink and enjoy something different from usual pub grub.

The lunch menu is certainly good value for money, though it remains to be seen whether the full menu lives up to these standards.

There is only one way to find out, I guess, so I will definitely be returning to enjoy more from what Ego at Manor Farm has to offer.