FOUR hungry girls, including one fussy eater, is a daunting prospect for any restaurant.

But the Village Bar and Grill rose admirably to the challenge from the minute we walked in to the moment we settled up and left.

My three companions and I decided to visit the Billericay restaurant on a Tuesday night after a session at the gym.

Starving hungry, we were hoping for great food and even greater portions as we settled into our chairs.

I was also praying there would be something on the menu for my friend’s younger sister.

But my worries were ill-founded – the wide selection of dishes on offer, from burgers to fresh fish, ensured there was something for everyone.

Having ordered, we sat back to admire our light, bright and clean surroundings, which are decorated to give just a hint of rustic Italy.

A scan of the restaurant revealed it to be half full, with groups of friends and couples enjoying a mid-week treat.

But I’m told the venue gets really busy during its regular live music nights.

Our attentive waitress was quick to bring our starters – garlic pizza bread and goat’s cheese brushettas.

The brushettas were delicious with generous globs of creamy goat’s cheese on crunchy bread, topped with bright red, sweet cranberry jam.

However, we found the pizza bread disappointingly tasteless and a bit chewy.

But hunger now kept at bay, we happily chatted until our main courses arrived.

Two of us had opted for the oven-baked herb-crusted cod, which came with green beans, and potatoes mixed with bacon and leek.

The fish under its tasty coating was a delicate white and cooked perfectly, while the accompanying veg was a delicious and substantial accompaniment. I had wondered how well the salty bacon would go with the fish, but the flavours worked well together.

My other pal went for a chargrilled chicken breast and feta salad, which came with sunblush tomatoes on a bed of leaves.

The portion was a decent size with so much feta she struggled to get through it all.

Our youngest dining partner opted for chicken marsala, a juicy chicken breast served with mushrooms in a wine sauce, and served with mashed potatoes and green beans.

Although not a fan of green beans, she tucked into the rest of the dish and saisthe chicken was tender and the sauce good, although a little bland.

We had no room for dessert which was a shame as the chocolate fudge cake we saw winging its way to another table looked very delectable.

All in all the Village Bar and Grill was a success. The food was unpretentious and tasty, and came in generous portions. The service was good too.

What we ate Garlic pizza bread £3.25 Goats cheese bruschetta £5.25 Herb crusted cod £12.35 Marsala chicken £11.45 Chicken feta salad £10.95

Our verdict (Out of Five) Atmosphere 4 Food 4 Decor 4 Value 3 Service 4 Disabled access Yes