Nestled opposite the edge of the Westgate is The Cow & Creek, a Marston's pub that offers 'beers, burgers & cocktails for every occasion'. Given the tight window I had and the speedy service offered, this was the perfect pub for a quick bite before an evening show.

As the establishment makes such a strong pitch for you to eat their burgers (part of their tagline, prominently placed on the front of their menu), my co-diner and I chose a different one each. I sided with the Stacker, a beef burger topped with a fried macaroni cheese patty, BBQ sauce, bacon and cheese; whilst my friend went with the Blue Moon, a beef burger topped with a sautéed flat mushroom and Stilton cheese. Other standouts on the burger menu include Real Boar! (wild boar & chorizo), the Brunch Stacker, which is essentially a full English breakfast in burger form, and the Squeaky Burger, a halloumi and red pepper veggie-friendly dish.

Thanks to the speedy and friendly service, our food was ordered quickly, allowing us to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of The Cow & Creek. There is a strong soundtrack to the pub, even if it does occasionally jump from The Beatles to 'Blurred Lines'. This is the kind of pub that manages to avoid some of the more negative stereotypes whilst remaining approachably affordable.

When our food arrived, the burgers proved flavoursome and well-cooked. My toppings were great, fine compliments that added to the overall burger, and I particularly liked the mac and cheese patty. My friend's critique was that the cheese was not a strong enough flavour for him, but with such a diverse range of burgers, you are bound to find one that fits your tastes. My only drawback was there weren't enough chips to go with our meals.

The Cow & Creek offers a fine alternative to the other chain restaurants and pubs that surround it. It benefits from speedy and friendly service and an affordable menu, providing food that fills the need for a quick meal between work and evening fun.