The sun was shining and it was hot. There was no time to waste.

Before the snow/sleet/hail or rain descended once more and postponed the arrival of spring, I headed for the Covered Market for what the Americans would call a "great take-out".

Owned by William Pouget, who runs the St Mary's Vaults, and whose father Robert operates the Woodstock Road Deli, the Alpha Bar is famous for being healthy, good value and delicious all at the same time.

The ethos is to serve food that is local, seasonal and organic whenever possible. More of a stall than a shop, it's popular with both students and townies alike, all hoping for something more exciting than a sandwich and better for them than a burger. It's the best fast food you can find in Oxford.

Near the Superdrug side of the Covered Market, the protocol is to queue up, decide whether you want to go for the big take-away option - four salads, one main and two toppings or the 'more-than-adequate', three salad, one main and one topping option. The hardest decision is choosing from all the wonderfully exotic concoctions which never fail to surprise, change daily and keep the punters on their toes.

Good for veggies, then?

Definitely. Salads include puy lentils, beetroot, carrot and seaweed in a wheat-free soya dressing, roasted seasonal veg, vegan coleslaw, brown rice salad with tamari and kale, or a good, juicy salsa.

And for carnivores?

Mains ranged from tuna, chicken, mackerel or falafel and the toppings from pesto to olive tapenade.

Three of us had a bit of everything from tofu - marinated in tamar, ginger and then baked - to hummus and the daily special of Spanish omelette.

Even the containers are fun and resemble US Chinese takeaway boxes.

What about drinks?

There's Fairtrade coffee and tea, juices, milkshakes and smoothies made with fresh and frozen fruit.

What did you think?

The more-than-adequate' portion fills you up beautifully and the selection means you eat a varied, exciting and nutritious lunch that you can never tire of.

Topped with seeds and black beans, I loved every minute of mine, and what was sometimes lacking in flavour more than made up in portability, diversity and originality.

We chose to eat our picnic under the trees in Christ Church Meadow, finishing off with slabs of carrot cake and fizzy water. As the sun warmed our cold English bones, I vowed to return as soon as possible.

But beware - they only take cash at the Alpha!

Verdict: It's a win-win situation. Where else would three of you get lunch of this quality for £13.45?

The bill: Three small salads £9.75 Two cakes £2.40 Bottle of water £1.30 Total: £13.45