We sampled the small plates menu at Pudding Pantry and found the best cake in Nottingham

Claiming that you have found the best cake in Nottingham is not to be made lightly but after a visit to the Pudding Pantry in Trinity Square, it's one we stand by. Imagine a tall, moist Victoria sponge cake smothered in pink sweet icing with a fresh strawberry filling that was tailored and made to be savoured slowly over coffee.

However, there was no coffee in sight as we decided that no menu test was complete without a throughout run-through of the new cocktail menu. It's a tough job but someone has to do it.

The Pudding Pantry is a Nottingham institution and a success story. What started as one location on Trinity Square became three locations with new additions popping up in Beeston and Sherwood. This is the place to go if you want, or in many cases need, a sit-down, a good slice of cake and to do some people-watching.

The small plate menu is exceptionally well chosen as there is truly something for everyone including a spicy sausage shakshuka complete with a fried egg on top, BBQ pulled pork sliders with mature cheddar and smoked salmon blinis on mini pancakes. There is also a personal favourite on the menu - Welsh rarebit with mature cheddar and pale ale on sourdough toast, a version of which is on the main menu and is the perfect carb-loading end to a stressful Friday in the newsroom.

The best place to start any menu testing or any Friday night is with the cocktail menu. The new menu includes three new options including a salted caramel and Bailey's martini, strawberry shortcake and electric lemonade. My partner opted for the strawberry shortcake which resembled milkshakes complete with a whipped cream sculpture on top. It was very quickly devoured and had a welcome boozy kick in the shape of a generous amaretto shot.

I'm more of a fruity cocktail person so I decided to order the electric lemonade which was both refreshing and surprisingly strong thanks to a combination of freshly made lemonade, vodka and blue curacao. It was so good I ordered two.

When it came to what to order, it's worth noting that myself and my partner are not the easiest people as we have coeliac disease and vegetarianism to contend with. The team at Pudding Pantry were on it with both, happy to swap out ingredients, very informed about allergies and also, incredibly friendly. It was truly no issue to them which makes a welcome change from some places we've been in the past.

We ordered a mix of seven plates starting with Welsh Rarebit which is a bit of a childhood comfort dish for me. The mature cheddar was incredibly flavourful but given a nice balance with the splash of pale ale. My partner, the meat eater of us, opted for the BBQ pork sliders which featured slow-cooked, beautifully prepared pulled pork. While they hadn't been sure about the pork pre-order, they noted it had a delicious smokey flavour.

We also tried the lighter salmon blinis which were given a gluten-free makeover and they were so moreish we could have easily whipped through more of them. The creamy garlic mushrooms were a favourite as they were smothered in garlic butter which is just the way I like it. I consider it a complete win if I leave a restaurant absolutely honking of garlic. No expense was spared when it came to lashings of garlic butter and I commend the amount used.

The patatas bravas was another win featuring roasted new potatoes and bean sauce. This was comfort food heaven as the new potatoes were roasted to perfection and topped with a rich tomato and bean sauce. It's also worth noting that seven plates for 30 was really good value given we were so full when we left we almost fell asleep in the theatre afterwards. If seven between two is too much then you can pay individually per plate but also, there is an option for five for 25.

Pudding Pantry being what it is, we couldn't leave without sampling the dessert section. I opted for the Victoria sponge cake because I couldn't not. I'm normally a savoury person who loves a post-dinner cheeseboard but a good sponge cake always turns my head. I'm delighted to report this cake is something I am still salivating over a week later.

All in all, the new menu is an absolute win for Pudding Pantry and a good option for a Friday night when you want to try something a bit different. The option to mix and match small plates means you can find something for everyone. Also, make sure to order the salted caramel martini before you leave, it truly is a work of art.