ON A cold March evening after a miserable day of heavy showers the burst of colour from Pablo Lounge in Abingdon was exactly what I needed.

Cosy but quirky is probably the best way to describe the eclectic feel of the cafe/bar/restaurant.

An odd assortment of variously matching tables and chairs are surrounded by brightly-patterned wallpaper covered in more framed artwork than you'd see in most galleries.

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The Abingdon branch is part of the national Lounge chain, each with its own individual name.

How they arrived at Pablo as the embodiment of the south Oxfordshire town is not entirely clear.

Oxford Mail:

Maybe I was wooed by the Indie music playing, chunky wooden tables and big candles providing soft lighting but I quickly forgot I was not in a lovingly decorated independent eatery.

Sadly as I was driving, I could only admire the impressive array of cocktails and opted instead for a pink lemonade (£2.95) which was sharp and refreshing with fresh raspberries and plenty of ice.

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Oxford Mail:

It is just over a year since Pablo Lounge took over from Italian-style Wildwood Kitchen in a prime spot overlooking the town's Market Place, the striking County Hall Museum opposite.

The business celebrated the anniversary earlier this month with a night of live music but it was an altogether quieter affair on my Sunday visit, though there was still a steady stream of diners enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

Browsing the menu it seems there is something for everyone, with an especially wide array of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The tapas selection was tempting but I gravitated towards the expansive burger section and chose the halloumi burger (£7.95).

Four sticks of crispy halloumi with hummus, wood-roasted peppers, tomato, red onion and chilli jam quickly arrived on a brioche (do any others even exist in restaurants these days?) bun. Each burger is served with a side of the house slaw and chips, which can be upgraded to sweet potato fries for an extra £1.25.

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My chips were served in an enamel mug, restaurant’s never seeming able to resist a bit of quirky presentation. They were tasty though and went well with the rich cheese and slightly spicy jam.

For dessert I could not resist a generous serving of churros (£5.95) - once again presented in an enamel mug, though hopefully not the same one. Pablo Lounge may not be breaking the gastronomical mold but it does what it does very well.