Reviews in Garstang

Unfortunately, our visit here was a major disappointment. The problems are too many to list, but I will just say that we will not be going back.

Whilst the venue came recommended following Amici days and it looked a pretty place with an interesting menu, on arrival we felt ostracised when the waiting staff announced loudly "Oh - you're the ones on half price aren't you?". This seemed unnecessary when the place had only 6 other diners in on that Friday evening - especially as on booking we had been told if we'd got there after 7.30 we'd not get served. (Only another 4 came in during our stay there.) However food was well presented though fell short from excellent standard. Starters were indeed beautiful but the mains not quite so successful. When I asked could I take my slightly odd tasting steak home (it wasn't to my taste but knew it wouldn't get wasted) the request was met with mild disdain and we left feeling rather unwelcome. Must say the wine was excellent and the presentation good. All a bit of a shame really as we'd really looked forward to going.

Called for tea on the 25/07/08, soup was ok gammon was not cooked , wife ordered scampy but got fish, batter was not cooked fish was slimey & not fresh this week staff left us without knifes & forks had to go looking for them Wife has 38 years cooking in a restaurant so we do when food is not right

'We have just dined like a Queen and King today at the Punchbowl Inn. The quality of the food,huge portions,service and cost were fabulous. I have never seen a meal so large, it took two of us to eat the winter warmer starter and share a chilli burger.......and all very well presented. Don't go hungry before you go to the Punchbowl....go starving its worth it!!

Don't go disgusting

With excellent views and fabulous local produce all home produced on the premises. What more can one ask for? Well great gardens, walks rare breed animals to get up close to this place has something for everyone. Their cake and scones are just fab.

3rd MARCH 2008 & 22nd MAY 2008. MY HUSBAND AND I WENT FOR THE EARLY BIRD MENU BOTH TIMES AND FIND THE FOOD TO BE EXCELLENT. THE PORTIONS ARE NO SMALLER THAN THE ORDINARY MENU. IT WAS PRESENTED BEAUTIFULLY. GOOD CHOICE ON BOTH THE EARLY BIRD OR A LA CARTE MENU'S.

Visiting our son on placement near Garstang and hoping to give him a square meal or two, we found ourselves at Pipers. We chose the set menu which was superb value and immediately after the starter were so impressed that we booked straight away for the following night! On both evenings the meals that we enjoyed were not only delicious, but made with carefully chosen fresh ingredients, skilfully executed and beautifully presented. Good wine too !

The New Holly is rapidly becoming our default venue for lunch when we are in the area. We have always found it clean and friendly with an excellent menu at reasonable prices and I like the waitress service at the table rather than rather than take the table number and go up to the bar. We've never been disappointed.

Absolutely stunning food. I had Chicken a la creme and it was beautiful, well presented and a huge portion. My girlfriend had lemon pepper cod on leek/potato mash, again the fish was cooked perfectly and a full fillet, enormous. Well priced for the portion sizes and a cosy, friendly atmosphere. A real gem of a place.

We think Turners Fish & Chip Shop is the most beautiful food we have ever ever ever eaten.!!! Mr & Mrs Turner & Staff are so wonderful and happy to oblige. Strongly recommend you try their menu. Alf Taylor, Oxfordshire

Excellent venue set in the Forest of Bowland with spectacular views. All food is locally sourced and prepared on site. The cakes are Fab!!!!

I travel 88 miles to eat here; Fair Trade foods freshly cooked to order For breakfast one gets sausages & bacon dry cured so its' not boiled when cooking! A family run cafe/restaurant where service is as good as the food and the prices are modest. Home cooked pies, roasts and real coffee make this an essential part of any visit to Garstang

Once we got inside the restaurant we were more than happy with the food and service. All I can say is book before you arrive. We decided on the off chance to have a meal here but were met with a frosty welcome; "we do prefer a booking" exclaimed the manager!! We did feel like walking out as we felt rather uncomfortable.

This has been recently sold. The new owners have spent a small fortune on decor, the food was excellent, it still looks a bit grim from the outside ! I',m sure they will sort that soon, We were the only party in the restaurant, but the pub part looked pretty busy.

After being told that this place was great, I thought I'd see for myself. Yes it's a lovely place in a nice location. However I was disappointed in the meal I had. My ideal Sunday roast consists of all the trimmings, the veg, Yorkshire puddings etc, not here however, thats were I was disappointed. Lamb, two roast potatoes, two boiled potatoes, strips of turnip, carrots which were hard and green peas in pods? and swimming in gravy. I'm sorry but I will not be returning.

The meal in question was the Cumberland Sausage dish: the sausages were admittedly substantial but had that evident unyielding pre-cooked, subsequently microwaved consistency. The gravy had a good amount of onion but it was raw. The mash was OK, having a couple of lumps in it at least indicating that it was real potato. The dish arrived without the advertised vegetables and when I enquired, a dish chiefly consisting of badly microwaved broccoli was presented. In the time it took to serve the meal, the whole lot could have been cooked from fresh.

Pipers has not yet failed to please having now visited on a number of occasions; evening meal, sunday lunch and midweek lunch. The quality and preparation of the ingredients is reflected in the taste - the beef as though it has just wandered down from the bowland fells and the accompanying dressings enhancing rather than overcoming the true flavour of the meal. This is the only restaurant where my husband has repeatedly ordered the house red in favour of some of the superb named wines. Whereas for myself I have found that Pipers is more than happy to provide tap water rather than expecting you to purchase bottled water as in some restaurants. The fresh, warm bread rolls are not the only endearing touch to this delightful restaurant. From my elderly mum who maintains tradition with linen napkins and ham hock, down to my teenage daughter and her friends who enjoy a slightly more contemprorary feel to both the ambience and menu, Pipers doesn't disapoint. For the ladies who, like me, like to lunch I can't provide a recommendation high enough.