Main Story
The restaurant game is a year-round business and while you, the diner, are thinking about places to eat on a long summer evening, many restaurateurs are sat fine-tuning their Xmas menus. They want you there come rain or shine – preferably with a large group of friends or family in tow. But there are some venues that really do shine in the summer months, places that come into their own as the days get longer.
Gibbon Bridge could have been desig ...more
Restaurant Review
Chop houses conjure up vaguely Dickensian images of ruddy, portly, bewhiskered gentlemen tucking into hearty meals washed down with copious amounts of ...more
The Gastrotourist
Some meals are worth a special journey. In The Gastrotourist we profile select destination restaurants from across the UK and beyond. This month:
Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe
Neighbourhood Watch
While the rest of the Fylde Coast was little more than a bog, Kirkham was already a settlement of some importance, strategically positioned on the Rom ...more
The Rant
Is there anyone else out there that loves food but just loathes food critics? I loathe them all – newspaper, magazine, TV, the lot. ...more
Signature Dish
Paella is the classic Spanish dish and this recipe comes courtesy of Spanish restaurant group La Tasca, which has a branch on Bolton’s Bradshawgate ...more
Sugarvine Wine Offer
The Explorer Case brings together a choice of interesting wines from around the globe, specially selected with variety in mind. There’s two bottles ea ...more
Book Shop
Jay Rayner chronicles the revolution in high-end gastronomy that has been sweeping the world since the late eighties. Not simply an account of endless ...more
Quick Bites
Auditions for 'Ribble Valley's Got Talent' at the White Bull Hotel in Gisburn Nov 8. . .The Continental pub has reopened after a major refurbishment and now has a strong focus on food. . .Truffles restaurant will host special gourmet evenings on the last Friday of every month at £39.95 per person; August 29th - French, September 26th - Thai, October 31st - Indian. . .Tribute act Mary Gates is singing ‘Hits of the Decades’ at Ristorante Salvatores in Penwortham on 16th August. . .Bernard Vallet will be honouring Heathcotes by hosting a dinner at our Longridge Restaurant on Wednesday 30th July, the menu along with accompanying wines is £50 per guest. . .Caribbean Night at Bistro Bar Med, Friday 30th August £25 per person, dress in Cuban style and receive a FREE Cocktail. . .Jali restaurant on Promenade Blackpool is now offering a new Signature Dishes menu. . .The Clog & Billycock at Pleasington will be the latest opening for Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft of Michelin-starred Northcote Manor. . .Ramsons has been named best restaurant in the North West for the second year running by Which? magazines Good Food Guide. . .Strictly for the lovers of the finer things in life – Gourmet Breaks at Northcote Manor, valid 1st March–30th Nov, click here for more information. . .Upcoming Events at Raineys Bar and Restaurant in Denshaw, Oldham include Mexican Evening with South American Wine - £35 Wed 9th July. 60’s Nostalgia Night, Dinner and Dance - £29.95 Fri 25th July. French Gourmet Night with Gastro Food, French wines and cognac – August. Medieval Night, Hog Roast, Buffet and Disco – Friday 29th August. . .In April Raineys won Punch Taverns Shine award for best food experience pub, includes over 1500 pubs in the Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester area. . .Fundraising event at Gourmet Buffet in Aid of China’s recent earthquake, 5th June at 6.00pm tickets £20.00 each. . .Gibbon Bridge Hotel have launched a new Hot Sandwich Menu. . .Seniors Fish & Chip Shop in Normoss, will re-open on 22nd May with a VIP evening to unveil the new modern look to sell its one millionth bag of Fish & Chips. . .Christopher Gaskell, 3 piece band performing swing, jazz and soul on Friday 23rd May at The Waterside, 3 courses £39.95. . .Al Fresco Dining now available at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel in three thatched pergolas, they are complete with tables, seating and accessories capable of accommodating 6 to 12 diners. . .Nigel Haworth of Northcote Manor has won through his round of BBC2’s Great British Menu to earn a place in the televised finals beginning on 19th May at 6pm, Click here for more information on voting. . .The Red Pump Inn at Bashall Eaves near Clitheroe has reopened after a major refurb both inside (with Indian stone floors, hardwood tables and sumptuous tapestry fabrics) and out (with new gardens). The Red Pump has also been selected by the AA as one of Britain's Best Pubs in their 2008-2009 guide. . .The Freemasons Arms at Wiswell has closed but chef-proprietor Ian Martin may be moving into outside catering. . .Celebrate St George's Day (or any special event) in style with a whole suckling pig for up to 12 people at The Fisherman's Retreat at Ramsbottom. More details from the restaurant which also now has its own brand of single malt whisky on limited release. . .Surprise menu dinner on the last Sunday of every month at The Longridge Restaurant. £30 for 5 courses and an aperitif. . .The Southport Food & Drink Festival runs from May 15-18. . .Winners of the 2008 Northern Hospitality Awards -- Reg Johnson (Special Achievement); The London Carriage Works, Liverpool (Best Restaurant); The Pipe & Glass Inn, East Yorkshire (Best Newcomer); Lisa Allen at Northcote Manor, Langho (Best Chef); The Shoulder of Mutton, Kirkby Overblow (Best Pub); Lowry Hotel, Manchester (Best Hotel); Eyck Zimmer at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester (Best Chef Mentor); Barlounge, Chester (Best Bar); Northcote Manor, Langho (Best Wine Offering). . .Flagship Italian restaurant San Marco has opened at Much Hoole, south of Preston -- part of the Italian Orchard group. . .Duk in Preston is opening a second venture in the heart of the city -- a hacienda-style wine lounge with their famous tapas nibbles. . .Celebrate Easter Sunday Lunch at Blackpool's Imperial Hotel. 3 courses, £15 (£10 kids, children under 5 eat free). Includes free photo, easter egg and bouncy castle for the kids. . Upcoming events at Raineys Bar & Restaurant in Denshaw -- Spanish tapas and wine tasting (Mar 27), Weekend dinner dance (Apr 10), St Georges Day menu (Apr 25). . Twelve in Thornton has been awarded a second AA rosette making it the only restaurant on the Fylde Coast with two rosettes. . .Party mights two Fridays every month at The Cedar Tree in Newhey, near Rochdale. Dinner and live entertainment for £34.95. . .Wine Tasting at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel near Chipping April 25. Gourmet dinner, fine wine, accommodation and breakfast for £130pp. . .The White Bull in Ribchester has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. . .The Duke Of York at Grindleton had a major refurb and now has a restaurant feel and top restaurant-quality food from an award-winning chef. . .The Three Fishes at Mitton has scooped fifth place in the National Gastropub awards. . .The Dicconson Arms in Wrightington has picked up the Marstons Chef of the Year 2007 award. . .Live Greek music nights on the last Thursday of every month at Sokrates Taverna in Horwich with dancing to Zorba the Greek, a bellydancing competition and singalongs. . .Jack's At The Island is now open on St Annes seafront offering casual Med-style dining and some of the best sea views in the northwest. . .Full refurbishment at the Bulls Head in Delph. . .Eat 'Around The World' every Wednesday and Thursday at The Waterside in Littleborough with dishes from Italy, Spain, Greece, Mexico and China. . .Ribble Valley Council is working on a new Ribble Valley Food Trail featuring restaurants, pubs and shops. . .Tapas restaurant Room 47 in Ormskirk has now been totally refurbished. . .Cookery classes now on offer at the Craven Heifer. . .New Italian restaurant La Scala has opened in Clayton-Le-Dale. . .Live entertainment every Friday at The Wheatsheaf in Woodplumpton. . .Check out the live entertainment on every week at the Hop Pocket in Chorley. . .The Freemasons Arms at Wiswell, near Whalley, has won a Routier National Wine List of the Year award. . .Salwick's Windmill Tavern has reopened after a major refurb and has a new head chef formerly with the Angel at Hetton. . .New fine dining Indian restaurant Jali has opened within Blackpool's Best Western Carlton Hotel. . .