MICHELLE TOMPKINS and pals decide to check out the à la carte experience at the new Rendezvous

"SHALL we rendezvous at The Rendezvous?" read my text message to my friends, in an admittedly feeble attempt at a joke.

"The Rendezvous? Is that the one by the Wyvern?" replied one, kindly overlooking my 'hilarious' quip.

"The Rendezvous?" replied the other, equally deadpan. "Is that the one in Haydon Street?"

Actually, it's neither. To clear up any confusion, the Rendezvous is no longer the long-standing restaurant found underneath the theatre, which closed its doors in the summer to make way for the new Rendezvous. Nor is it the newer Le Rendezvous, which opened in the mid-2000s as an alternative to the old Rendezvous, which now appears to be called GrillLock and not Le Rendezvous at all.

No, this is the even newer Rendezvous, in Hooper's Place, which has taken the place of both the older Rendezvous', although the signage and the branding all appear to be the same as the old Rendezvous.

Got that? Simple really.

Fans of either of the previous incarnations will be pleased to hear that little has been lost in the transition to this new building - the former Mission/Studio/Tiger Bills nightclub - which was opened with a fanfare by owner Alan Mok last month. The hugely popular all-you-can-eat menu is still there, the food still as colourful and plentiful as it ever was, the staff still efficient and friendly.

There are a few very noticeable differences though, not least in the decor. The revamp is said to have cost Mr Mok £1m-plus and it shows. State-of-the-art LED lights travel across the walls and cascade from the ceiling, creating a real talking point, and special VIP booths are elevated above the restaurant floor for an air of exclusivity.

More importantly, the restaurant is no longer a restaurant alone. On Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30pm, the tables are rolled away and the music cranked up as the Rendezvous becomes Tree nightclub, open until 4am. Quite what you do if you're still chowing down on your chop suey when the clubbers start pouring in is anybody's guess, but it was a Thursday when we visited so we didn't get the chance to find out.

The place was still buzzing though, with almost all of the tables taken - a healthy sign that Swindon folk have embraced the new venue and that it will remain at the top of its game.

The Rendezvous menu is staggering, with the number of dishes running to 100-plus. Most people opt for the all-you-can-eat deal, which is worthwhile if you have a huge appetite - as long as you keep clearing your plate, they will keep on bringing the food. On this occasion, however, we were feeling a little more reserved and chose to order our dishes individually.

With a vegetarian among us, we went for vegetarian hors d'oeuvres to begin (£5.60 per person), a wonderful platter of crispy pancake rolls, deep fried salt and garlic mushrooms (yum), crispy won ton and a heap of vibrant green salty seaweed. A chilli dipping sauce alongside added an extra kick of heat to every mouthful.

For mains, we went our own way and I opted for an old favourite, chicken with cashews in yellow bean sauce (£7.30) with a side order of egg fried rice (£3.60). Truth be told, I was a little disappointed in my choice; the chicken was only lukewarm and a little rubbery and the cashews conspicuous by their absence, but I have had the same dish at Rendezvous several times before and this was definitely an off day.

In contrast, my friend's choice of sweet and sour chicken Hong Kong style (£7.30) was still sizzling when it arrived and the mix of bright green and red peppers, translucent onions and white chicken made it look hugely appetising. With a side dish of egg fried rice, she was very happy indeed.

Our veggie friend looked to the Thai section of the menu and went for a vegetable green curry (£7.80) with simple boiled rice (£2.80). It topped everything else on the table for flavour; the brimming bowlful of colourful veg sat in a tangy but light sauce, flavoured with lime and coriander. We all had a taste and I decided there and then that I'd just found a new Rendezvous favourite.

With a bottle of wine between us, our bill was under £70, so we saved a little (but not much) by ordering outside the all-you-can-eat menu. When I visit with my other half or my hollow-legged sons - which I'm sure I will soon - the £19.99 deal will certainly be better value for money.

Which is more than I can say for my jokes. They don't laugh at them either.

Swindon Rendezvous

Hooper's Place, Old Town

Tel: 01793 523570

Parking: nearby

Disabled access: yes

Adver ratings:

Food: 8/10

Choice: 9/10

Decor: 10/10

Customer service: 9/10

All you can eat menu: £19.99 per person Sunday to Thursday, £22.50 Friday and Saturday

TripAdvisor rating: 4/5