The Star Inn at Wenhaston, near Southwold, offers a welcoming old-fashioned pub vibe with an interesting eclectic set of dishes

“I know this place Kev that you are just going to love”, John had completely peaked my interest, he's always been incredibly good at that.

Now I have known John 'Johnny' Spillings, owner of the magnificent Penny Bun Bakehouse in Lowestoft, for more than 20 years since our cheffing days and I have always gone with and trusted whatever plan or idea he has come up with.

This time round (and with no need of convincing at all) he suggested we go to The Star Inn at Wenhaston for food and I am so glad he did.

The multi-coloured lights shining outside The Star, which has been a free house since 2012, gave a warm and welcoming glow outreaching into the Suffolk evening sky as we pulled up.

Inside, the roaring fire, black and white chequered floor, the mix of old signs and a blue carousel horse's head on the bar could not have been more up my street if it tried - an old fashioned country pub that hugs you like you a local as you enter.

As we went up for drinks I could not help but spot something out of the corner of my eye on the pub pumps, Giggler cider, which I was told was made less than 10 minutes down the road.

Now, I don't normally drink, but this deliciously, crisp and dry apple pint from Grove Farm in Bramfield was just amazing and at what I thought said 6.8 per cent on the pump badge was lucky that it did not spoil the rest of this review.

But, without stepping on the toes of Suffolk News' Secret Drinker (I do highly recommend it) I digress, as we sat at our beautiful bay windowed table.

Now the menu for the evening on the pub chalkboards was a cracking eclectic mix of choices, all of which sounded incredible.

Keralan curry, Madagascan coconut chicken and Sino-Mauritian chicken and pork dumplings were calling me to fill the table with them and I gladly would have.

But picking gateau piment (Mauritan chilli cakes) and the dumplings to start, our table was ready to eat.

When they arrived, we were straight into the former - that course pulse flavour, similar to falafel, with that chilli kick dipped into the cooling yoghurt and mint dip or the herby acidic coriander chatni told me this meal was going exactly where I wanted it to.

The dumplings, with their perfect marriage of chicken and pork in their casing, finished with their soy dipping sauce were also an absolute delight.

It's light chicken, pak choi and chinese leaf bouillon gave a nice crunch and warmth that I could have had many times over.

Main course was a Romazava, a Madagascan beef and pork stew cooked with spring greens and cayenne pepper, and on the side I went for Creole saffron rice.

The melt in the mouth pork and beef with another appreciated spice hit just showed how the chef Sarrif, who makes all the spice blends for his dishes himself, really does know how to show his customers a good time.

The rice, fried with peppers, shallots, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and curry leaves was the perfect accompaniment and with the acidity of the tomato and red onion salad mixed in as well - this was a dish I could have gladly consumed over and over again in front of the pub's roaring pub fire.

Key lime pie was our dessert of choice, and though basic in appearance when it came to the table it more than made up for in comfort eating.

Those creamy then citrus layers gave an understated zig to my spoon before breaking through that biscuit base which grounded and combined all those lovely set of flavours together- a soft smooth dessert that was cleared from the bowl with far too much ease and in too short a time.

With that dispatched, we all left going out into the night air again, though I felt we did it begrudgingly like leaving a comfy sofa.

The Star Inn in Wenhaston truly is a vibrant, welcoming and old fashioned country pub which I for one would be happy for it to stay that way forever.