THE Tree Hotel at Cadmore End has really upped their game with a new talented head chef. Daljit Dusanj has more than 15 years’ experience in the restaurant business and has returned to the hotel after previously working for the group for three years.

And it is a welcome return as the new menu and food on offer is very good. It is an European and Indian-based menu with a variety of cuisines, which make it a great place to go with a group.

As well as more traditional dishes, they have pub classics and curries. For starters I had the pan seared scallops with confit cherry tomatoes, marrowfat pea puree and crispy pancetta (£6.95).

There were three large, sweet scallops which were perfectly cooked- light golden and just cooked through. The marrowfat pea puree, which is really a version of mushy peas without the lumps, was a great accompaniment to the scallops.

The creamy texture of the marrowfat peas made it so much better than the lighter pea purees I have tried before. The juicy, tomato confit was bursting with flavour- so much better than any other tomato I have tried this summer- and there were two slivers of the crispy pancetta.

It was an excellent starer.

Tom had Maas Ke Sholey- lamb morsels marinated overnight with spices, yoghurt, poppy seeds cooked in the tandoor and served with mint chutney and salad (£5.95). The lamb was tender and very well marinated with just a hint of heat in the spices. The mint chutney added a great burst of freshness to the beautiful meat.

There are plenty of other starters to choose from ranging from mussels to beetroot and goats cheese to a chicken dish.

For mains I had the pan fried duck breast served with sautéed potatoes and chilli garlic pak choi with forest berries jus (£14.95). It was another excellent dish. The duck was served pink and had a lovely crispy skin. The rich, dark jus which tasted of blackberries went superbly with the duck, and complemented it, rather than overpowered it. The pak choi was a nice change to the usual vegetables you might expect, and the new potatoes were tasty but could have been cooked just a touch longer.

Tom had whole tandoori sea bass delicately spiced with freshly ground Indian spices and cooked in the tandoor, served with curry sauce and pulao rice (£15.95).

The fish easily flaked away from the bone and was delicately spiced. The slightly creamy sauce was very fragrant and tasted fantastic with the sea bass. Again there is plenty to choose from for mains from more meat dishes to pub classics and curries.

For dessert I had chocolate mousse with strawberries (£4.95). I don't think chocolate mousse is on the menu enough at restaurants, as I think it is a great end to the meal. The Belgium dark chocolate mousse was creamy and very chocolatey- yet light enough to not be too much. The sugar coated strawberries finished it off a treat, along with a cup of peppermint tea, which I had ordered.

Tom had the strawberry cheesecake (£4.95), which was exactly as it should be. A crunchy, biscuit base, with a rich, creamy filling and a sweet strawberry topping. I am pleased to say The Tree is back to its best. The service is great, the atmosphere friendly and happy and the food is very well done indeed.

Go to www.cadmore.treehotel.co.uk.