Reviews in Cumbria and Lake District

They serve Thomas's meat & potato pie (judged to be the best in Furness by the "Hairy Bikers"). The pastry is always crisp because they don't microwave it. The bacon buns are good as well. They claim to sell the best coffee in town - could well be true! Often crowded or full, but worth a wait.

We recently stayed in Broughton-in-Furness (March 08), just around the corner from the Manor Arms. Although we never had a meal there, I can certainly recommend the good choice of real ales and ciders available. The people were very friendly and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this place - it was certainly our favourite.

The hotel has a marvellous view of Lake Windermere. It was very serene to sit in one of the lounges pre-dinner and enjoy the scenery. Holbeck Ghyll feels like a well worn in country house. For a one star Michelin restaurant, I was a bit disappointed in their tasting menu. There were scallop (one), foie gras (terrine, not pan fried), boudin blanc (I was told it was chicken but it was rather tasteless), venison (it was moist and tasty), dessert and cheese (this was the best as there is a good variety of local cheese with good description of its origins). The food was not impressive for a Michelin star restaurant, especially when compared to others around the Cumbria area such as L’Enclume and Gilpin Lodge. What was most disappointing was the restaurant ambiance. I felt like I was eating at a pub rather than a fine dining establishment. There are two parts to the restaurant. One part has table cloth but where I was dining didn’t. It is fine if the tables are nice but with the wall paneling and the pub like tables, I just don’t feel much like I am sitting in a fine dining establishment. For the price of the meal, there are other choices available in the lake district. On the upside, the service staff was efficient and pleasant. The wine list has some really nice wine at reasonable mark-ups.

This restaurant appears to have got everything right. The choice is good, the food is good, the service is good and the atmosphere is relaxed. Also very reasonably priced.

My party of three visited on Saturday 29th March 2008 The cafe is lovely (decor in keeping with the the cafe's name and area) , the staff are polite, the menu is very good and the prices are very fair - approx £5.00 for a good portion main meal. Good choice of snacks available too. Real (not frozen or oven)chips available which are excellent. Everything is cooked fresh to order. 'Bosuns Locker' Cafe at Roa Island is definitely worth a visit.

March 2008. Excellent buffet. I agree with earlier review - this is the best chinese buffet I have been to. Excellent choice of food / excellent quality food. There is an 'Early Bird' price of £10.80 (5.30-6.30 p.m.) 'Grand Buffet' price of approx couple £'s more from 6.30p.m. - 09.00 p.m., then the price drops again at 09.00 p.m. to £10.80 per head. We arrived in time for the 'Early Bird' and the choice was amazing. Barrow is my home town where I visit several times a year, but I live in Hertfordshire.

me and my family truly enjoyed our meal here. it was our first visit and we were made extremely welcome by the staff the decor was lovely and not too modern and the food was out of this world you could taste all the flavours in the food it was truly amazing we will definitely be back

Fantastic food, lovely ambience with superb staff. Meat eaters should really try this very different style of eating, they certainly won`t miss the meat and will feel well fulfilled believe me.

After many lovely meals over the past 4 years my husband and I were sorely disappointed with the level of service and main courses that were put before us on a recent visit. When we 'quietly' complained about the meat - turkey- not being as described on the menu 'turkey crown' we were presented with the whole re-constituted joint (sent by the chef)at our table in front of the other customers and told that the joint was a turkey crown which it obviously was not. We were shocked with their behaviour and as we have never had cause to complain before we had no idea what would happen. I hasten to add that we will not be going there again.

Bank Holiday Monday 24th March we drove down to Carlisle for the day from Glasgow, Scotland. Over 100miles. Thought we could do some shopping and go somewhere for lunch. From the outside Franco looks ok - we went in and got seated, Just. It was so cramped, tables where so close to each other. We ordered a garlic bread to start, followed by a Baked potato with savoury mince, and a cheese and tomato pizza. The garlic bread was very greasy, it wasn't even bread or a pizza base for that matter. flat tortia wrap floating in a bed of oil. The standard of the main courses didnt improve either. My baked potato was squashed into a bowl with a side salad crushed in at the side. It was very watery at the bottom of the bowl. Dunno if the BP was frozen or just served from a bowl of water. It was more like minestrone soup with a BP on top. Improvements: Bigger plate for baked pototoes - improve the presentation of the food so its not all crammed into a bowl. Use the same 'set' of bowls - the couple sitting beside us each had a different style of bowl from me - looks better if they match. No watery baked potatoes and get decent pizza bases.

The Sun Inn is one of the finest advertisements for wonderful home cooking we have ever come across, we have dined there quite a few times on our trips to England, and the food, especially the lamb henry (my American wife's favourite) is always cooked to perfection, and have recommended it to our friends both back home and here in Florida USA. Long may it continue, we love the lake district and the lure of the Sun Inn is always too strong to resist.

I worked at the Lowther Arms for sometime and it is one of the best pubs to eat in Penrith. The food is just great and there is a wide selection so everyone can be happy! I love the giant Yorkshire pudding, yum yum! It also has a great feel to it, it is like how pubs used to be!

Visited the Briery last Sunday for lunch - was really impressed with the amount of staff that were 'buzzing' around - everyone seemed to be working extremely hard to give a quality service and absolutely excellent meal to our group of 4. I shall be re-visiting on Wednesday 19th March with a large group from Nepgill Park -I am travelling all the way from Manchester for this meal - but I know it shall be first class. Well done to you all. Extremely well organised and like I mentioned above - excellent food. Now, that should warrant a pay rise to you all!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers!

The first night we visited we were made to feel right at home. The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is just the right mixture of friendly and professional. We've been back lots of times to take advantage of the mid-week offers as well as at the weekends.

i have been here on several occasions and it is an amazing restaurant. the 3 courses for £9.99 deal during the week is stunningly good value, as the food is amazing and the service excellent. i would recommend it to anyone.

What a fabulous place to visit!! Starting with the welcoming and friendly hosts, to the delicious and memorable food. All in a deliciously relaxing environment. I plan to be back very often indeed

The meal service and price were absolutely excellent on Saturday 1st March. We shall certainly return to this venue.A must book venue.

Lovely hotel with a restaurant you would expect to find in a 5 star hotel, i had a fillet steak and my wife had sea bass, really very nice, rooms clean, good service.