With the Christmas school holidays in full swing, many parents will be wondering what to do with their young charges once the shine has gone off tomorrow's stocking stuffers.

A good choice might be the cinema, and if your progeny have an interest in the big screen they might enjoy the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

There's plenty to see, and if you time your visit over a lunchtime there's plenty to eat, too.

I have been many times to the museum, usually for work purposes, and occasionally to visit the shop. I last visited the caf several years ago and recall having a sandwich and a cup of tea while looking out at an amazing view of the city.

Returning with a friend last week, we made for the lift, thinking that the eaterie remained on an upper floor. But we were promptly redirected by a helpful member of staff a short distance along the ground floor, where the cafe relocated in 1999.

The aptly-named Intermission caf is roomy, with a large eating area and a self-service bar, where diners can choose from a range of hot and cold meals, as well as sandwiches, home-made soup and other snacks such as baked potatoes with a variety of fillings. A display of desserts contained very tasty-looking cakes and pies.

Armed with a tray, and looking for a light lunch - I would be having a biggish dinner that evening - I opted for chicken breast marinated in honey and mustard with salad, while Sue chose a jacket potato with tuna mayonnaise filling and salad.

Opting for a dessert was not easy, as everything looked delicious. I had to put my willpower into overdrive to stop me from taking a piece of chocolate cake, settling instead for home-made flapjack - which looked delicious too. Sue could not resist the chocolate brownie, also homemade.

With two bottled drinks to wash the meals down, we made our way to the back of the caf. We were among only a handful of diners in a spacious area dotted with Formica-topped tables accommodating both large and small groups.

Having a decent amount of space between tables is always a plus point - particularly if you have set out to have a good gossip - and here there is plenty of room.

With lofty ceilings and high walls, I was surprised - particularly considering the venue - that there were no photographic works for diners to ponder over their meals. In what is a relatively dark, windowless corner with no view at all (quite a contrast from the last location), a few of these would brighten the whole caf and give it more atmosphere.

The few potted palms with fairy lights that did exist seemed inadequate for such a large room, and one side of the caf appeared to be a storage area for boxes and other bits and pieces. To be brutally honest, it felt a bit like eating in an industrial unit.

The dcor aside, Sue declared her baked potato "delicious" and the salad fresh and crunchy. My salad was also refreshing, with ingredients including lettuce, spring onion, green pepper and cherry tomato. The chicken was light on the stomach - which for me was important - but was tasteless, with no hint of either honey or mustard (despite the top being smeared with mustard seeds).

Sue's chocolate brownie was, she said, very tasty and filling. My flapjack was one of best I've tasted, crunchy, and very treacly with a hint of coconut. We pondered tea and coffee, but being pushed for time, decided to head back.

Being so close to the office, I will certainly return to Intermission. The prices, while not cheap, are reasonable, the staff are friendly and, despite the rather stark surroundings, you can be certain of a good chat in a quiet corner. It would be nice, though, to see a few photographs on the walls - not only to create atmosphere, but to remind you of where you are dining and possibly entice you to other attractions in this world-renowned museum.

INTERMISSION The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Princes Way, Bradford, West Yorkshire, Tel: Box Office 0870 7010200

  • Our writers comment on what they find during a single visit. They accept standards vary from day to day. In the interest of fairness, they do not reveal their identities, and they pay for their meals in full. Each venue is judged against other restaurants of a similar type.