Reviews in Cumbria and Lake District

Called in for lunch on Sunday 17-02-08 on way home to Liverpool from Fife. Just 2 minutes off the motorway, car park at rear. Good variation on the menu, settled for Beef & Ale pie,served with chips and vegetables. The beef was very tender and in a perfect gravy, not too thick or too runny, great chips, vegetables of carrots and sugar snap peas cooked to perfection and presented perfectly. My wife had the Cajun Chicken Sizzler, also perfect. The standard of the menu, meal and presentation would not be out of place in a top class restaurant.My son who was with us, is a trainee chef in his 2nd year and could not find any faults { and he can be very 'picky' }. Extremely good value at the price. This chef knows the business and must have had quality 'training', as it shows in abundance.

BEAUTIFUL you must go.....

After reading many positive reviews I booked a table at the Log House restaurant. The restaurant had a very pleasant atmosphere but we found the staff rather unhelpful. For starters I had the bread with dips and my partner had the goat’s cheese tartlet. His was rather bland and I found two hairs in my starter! After I found the first hair I asked for a new pot of dip assuming that this is where the hair had come from. After the second hair we realised they were actually in the bread. We politely and discreetly informed the waitress about the second hair but received no real apology. We were very surprised that such an occurrence was not more of an embarrassment for them. Our mains were good, I had the sirloin and my partner had the fish and chips. Both were enjoyable however my partner and I had somewhat lost our appetites after the hairs! Throughout or meal we were not asked if we required drinks refills or if everything was ok with or meals, a few basic questions that you would expect from a waitress in a Michelin recommended restaurant. When we received the bill we did not receive any apology for the problems with my starter, we had not been charged for the starter but this was not explained to us. We were also over-charged for our mains. A simple apology and explanation that the starter had been left off the bill would have been sufficient but I was disappointed in the way the staff handled the matter. I understand the restaurant has an AA award and has been recommended in the Michelin guide. Perhaps they worked hard to receive such recognition but have since let themselves slip. I was very disappointed with the Log House and I will not be returning.

excellent food, great atmosphere, great staff - need I say more

Visited Sweeney's last Friday night. There was no need to book a table (there were only three other groups in) and once the food arrived we could see why. The menu looked good but when the food turned up it far from lived up to expectation. I never realised it was possible to burn food & for it to be soggy at the same time. The chef appeared to have one approach to cooking - fry everything. This was the worst meal I have had in a long time

Enjoyed an evening of fine dining at very reasonable prices, food was cooked to perfection and the menu was of restaurant quality, varied and with plenty of choice, and a good selection of wine. The Duke has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and the restaurant compliments a quality hotel. The staff were excellent and I would highly recommend a visit

We had a fantastic meal with our friends on 2nd feb 2008. There were 10 people in our party celebrating a friends birthday. We had pre ordered our meals 48hrs before after browsing the delicious online menu. The food arrived quickly and the service was efficient and friendly. The sticky ribs were especially good ! As a surprise to the birthday boy, we had taken our own birthday cake and candles and the waitress was very good at hiding it until we were ready to have it served. The musical cake slice was a lovely touch and all added to a wonderful night.

gone down hill since new owners taken over in December 2007, he is very obnoxious and the little black haired gremlin behind the bar /waiting on, never ever smiles. trying to get pub full by introducing cheap 4.95 meals, BUT it shows , small portions and not that tasty, cheap food used, better off going to stagger inn at newton or ship inn at roose.

Went for a 20 booked family Sunday lunch in December 2007. Found the service very slow between courses, the portions small and cold, the gravy tasteless. The sweet choice was limited and the custard was school thick lumpy and cold. All the meals had something wrong, veg over cooked and soft etc. Advised at the bar when paying not happy and no discount offered, not interested so will not be going back.

My wife and I are avid walkers and whenever our weekend strolls take us to Cartmel we always pop into the Mallard Tea Shop for a meal. The food is excellent ~ in particular the cakes and desserts which are sumptuous! The soup is always very good (and filling!) as are the sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc.. Prices are very competitive for the Lakes ~ we were charged a ludicrous £5.50 for a small bowl of soup in Troutbeck recently! The cafe is "themed" in that all the interior decoration is duck related ~ which makes for a very relaxing atmosphere. Staff are courteous and pleasant and the cafe itself is just a stone's throw from the famous Cartmel Priory which is well worth a visit...

fantastic Sunday lunches when they did them, great place to have fun and relax everybody should try out leonokie on a Saturday its fantastic.

Ivy House Restaurant at Braithwaite is excellent. HPB members I am sure will agree.

This is a lovely (tastefully furnished/decorated) cafe situated on the main road through Ambleside. The staff are very courteous and pleasant and the food (in particular the Strawberry Swiss Brulee Cheesecake!) is excellent. The menu is varied and (for the area) competitively priced. We only found the cafe by accident during a walk from Troutbeck ~ we'll certainly be making a return visit...

villa positano is the best Italian restaurant in the lakes i have been a couple of time the food is fab i would give it a 100 out of 100 the service is excellent and the staff are always smiling .

FOOD BRILL BEST INDIAN FOOD IN CUMBRIA

Well after receiving excellent service from the waiters, i enjoyed an exiting new pizza called a padana with goat's cheese and spinach. Might i just say it was the best pizza i have had in a long time. The restaurant is modern, don't be put off by the name it really is respectable, but don't go at the last minute booking at least a day before is essential. Pricewise it is reasonable and worth it for the quality!

We spotted The Herdwick's website and made a booking for a cosy weekend break and was not let down. Well appointed rooms, friendly staff, cosy atmosphere in the bar and great food in the restaurant and change in my pocket too. A great weekend and we would advise all to make a visit

Popped in for lunch. Food was of a reasonable to good standard (no 70's pub grub on view). However the place was not overly busy but it still took over 2 hours to serve a table of two! The owner obviously didn't care as she was sat reading a paper in the reception area. Shame really, can't say we will be rushing back!