The Sutton Arms, Faceby, near Stokesley

Mar 29 2009 by Mika Smiles, Sunday Sun

WHEN the sun has got his hat on there’s nothing nicer than a bit of good old-fashioned fresh air.

So, with that in mind, me and Mrs Eats decided to jump in the Eatsmobile and head out to the countryside for a nice walk and a spot of dinner.

We certainly put the Eatsmobile through its paces, winding down country roads before coming across a little village in the North Yorkshire moors called Faceby.

With our tummies rumbling we decided to stretch our legs after dinner and try the fare at The Sutton Arms.

Unfortunately for us, the bar area was jam-packed with locals who’d beat us in line for Sunday grub.

Mrs Eats and I pulled up a pew and chewed the fat with the down-to-earth owner with a refreshing pint of Stella (£2.50) for me and a glass of wine (£3) for her. After polishing off our first round of drinks I could tell She Who Must Be Fed was starting to get a bit impatient . . . in fact, I’m sure I could actually hear her stomach growling.

We had arrived at 2pm and it was around 3pm before Mrs Eats was put out of her misery and we were sat down to eat.

A two-course Sunday lunch at The Sutton Arms costs £10.50 which includes a choice of meats, Yorkshire pudding, roasties and all the vegetables you can eat. As it worked out, our two courses turned out to be starters, rathers than puds, and main courses.

Mrs Eats has a bee in her bonnet at the moment about us trying to eat more fruit and salad. So, with her new rules in mind, we both went for the prawn cocktail.

When they arrived Mrs Eats looked suitably smug as she tucked into the succulent prawns and lettuce. With the lashings of delicious Marie Rose sauce I am not sure how healthy it actually was but what I am sure of is that we quickly scoffed down the lot, as well as a bowl of soft white bread and butter.

Prawn cocktail might not be the most fashionable starter but, when it comes to our tucker, me and Mrs Eats agree it’s the classics that always pack the most punch.