Okay, I know what you're thinking. I thought the same thing myself. Why on God's green earth would you call a pub "The Fat Dog?"

But as with most things that seem to make no sense at all, like rainbows and the success of Trevor McDonald's career, there's a perfectly good explanation behind it.

Well an explanation at least. I'll let you decide how good it is.

Paul Studholme, the chap who recently took over the place, also runs The Brewers Arms in Wanborough.

And at that pub there lives a dog who, not to put too fine a point on it, is quite fat. I know, I've seen it.

Anyway the dog's a loveable character and many a Brewers' guest has asked the question- where's the fat dog'?

To the untrained ear this may sound like a punter desperate to be served but I can assure you it's not. And so there you have it. The legend of the fat dog.

Apparently some of the women folk in Shrivenham have got a bit offended at the new name. I'm not sure if the type of person to see the name of a pub as a personal slight would have to be chronically low on self-esteem or have an immensely overblown sense of their own importance but either way I don't want to meet them.

And if the name really is offensive, then it's the only thing about the place that is. Not only does Paul run this place and the aforementioned Brewers, he's also responsible for Longs in Old Town and the Apartment nightclub and I think it's fair to say he's got something of a Midas touch.

The Fat Dog has come a long way from the turquoise and salmon hole it was just a few months ago.

The gaudy carpet has been replaced by a wooden floor and the look is cool and contemporary while the menu is appealing and surprisingly affordable. We had the mixed olives (£2) and bruschetta (£3) for starters. Both of which were very tasty and the servings were enough to fill Father Christmas's belly.

For the main course I had the duck with Cointreau and orange sauce and honey roast parsnips (£11.95) and my friend went for the halibut steak with a spicy tomato broth and new potatoes, (£10.95).

Again the serving of duck was ample and the meat was lovely and tender and fat free. The sauce was also very good. The fish, I'm told, was also delicious.

So if the tale behind the name wasn't enough to get you interested the food certainly should be.