AFTER watching my team get well and truly beaten by the future league champions, it was time to drown my sorrows and not let the poor result ruin my Saturday night.

So after witnessing the defeat, we made our way from St Mary's to the Commercial Road end of the city where a lovely big leather sofa and a bottle of Chilian Merlot were waiting for us in Joe Daflos.

After a glass or two our minds turned away from football and on to food. The converted church has a lovely airy restaurant on its first floor and we booked a table while we finished off our wine.

Within 20 minutes a table became free in the busy restaurant and us hungry fans were seated and presented with the ample menu.

Having eaten at Joe Daflos before, I am always excited to see the menu as it regularly changes so there are always new dishes to try.

I was pleased to see that an old favourite of mine was still on the menu - Caesar salad. This time I opted for the chicken version as opposed to the anchovies option. A huge bowl of crisp lettuce leaves arrived with a tender chicken breast and crispy croutons, all smothered in a delicious, creamy Caesar sauce.

My two dining companions weren't as healthy as me and went for the homemade meatballs in a rustic tomato and basil sauce topped with mozzarella on a bed of spaghetti. A welcome added extra was the bowl of bread and salad which accompanied the dish. For those with slightly smaller appetites, Joe Daflos offers a deli-size-portion.

Three empty plates later, we all declared that the food was excellent and vowed to return again soon to see what dishes had been created on the next new menu.

The bill came to just under £30 and included soft drinks.

Open all day, last food orders are at 9.30pm although on Fridays and Saturdays last orders for food are 15 minutes after the end of the evening performance at the Mayflower theatre across the road.

Joe Daflos, Commercial Road, Southampton. To book a table contact 023 8023 1101.