Reviews in Lancashire

Visited the Conti on the opening day and I have to say, what a great job they have done on the place. The food was great, from the freshness and quality of the ingredients, to the presentation and variety on the menu. Will definitely come back and be bringing my friends.

As I work locally, I have visited the Railway on several occasions with colleagues and family and always enjoyed it, however on the last two occasions I have noticed a decline in both the standard of food and waiting time. The first time, in early July, I put down to a blip, but on this occasion, we experienced a 30 minute wait for starters which were little more than assembly jobs (paté, mozarella salad, cheese on toast) and then another 30-40 minute wait for 4 main courses in a restaurant that was about one third full at the most. When they arrived, my husband's cheese and onion pie and my daughter's fish pie were so hot as to be inedible for at least another 10 minutes. My 11 year old son's burger arrived 5-10 minutes after the other courses. In addition, the dishes weren't quite as described on the menu - my 'roast pork chops' were obviously grilled and though tasty were quite tough. The 'beef tomatoes' were unripe salad tomatoes and the fish pie came, rather oddly, with a large slice of bread and butter. The burger was very rare in the middle - I think it had been forgotten about and was rushed out. I did mention the wait and asked the pleasant waitress to convey my comments to the kitchen, but nothing was done about them. Although there are still many positives about this place, I won't go back until I hear things have improved.

To us, Amelies , which we came across in late June is a real “gem “as the food is truly out of the ordinary which is refreshing in a time of increasing standardisation. We have visited on several occasions, sometimes on our own and sometimes with family or friends and each time have been delighted with the quality and exquisite taste of the food, the thoughtful and innovative presentation by Olivier and the charming and pleasant yet professional service of Annamaria. We are looking forward to our next visit because whilst there will be some dishes which , in a short time ,we have come to know and love there will be new ones to sample as the menu changes frequently.

Poor Service and under-cooked Duck!

I had a fab meal at the Alghero, it was a birthday meal, really enjoyed the night food was very very good (FISH CAKE). Amazing staff very friendly and great service

Went on Saturday to a new concept that was a first of its kind at Pond a Spanish night, I must admit I wasn't sure as a lot of people try these "themed" nights and they are not very good, Pond however was fantastic, the music superb, the food good, the atmosphere was really lively and we all said we will definitely go back, it just goes to show that the people who own Duk restaurant ( same owners as Pond) really do know their stuff and always seem to know what their customers really want, I just hope that they have another soon its a great venue and i wish them every success, they also had a guy serving Urquell, if my memory serves me correctly it was a Czech beer, delicious, go try it you'll have a great time, apparently they have just started lunch offers, we will definitely be first i the queue .

Went today on opening day - fantastic food, atmosphere, drink, and garden. Can't wait to go back!!

Finally got round to eating at La Salsa after months of driving by & making mental notes to try it. It was definitely worth waiting for!! The menu is extensive & every dish we tried was gorgeous; very fresh & authentic - a major difference from the chain down the round. Service was great; the staff were there as soon as needed but not intrusive. At £8.50 for as many tapas as you like it's worth every penny (& probably more!!). Drinks - Sangria & pints of Cruz Campo - added to the bill, but certainly not excessively. Bolton town centre is short of good, independent restaurants - particularly that don't serve Italian! - & La Salsa is just what the town needs!! Will DEFINITELY eat there again & will recommend.

We've been going here for years. The menu has never changed, but neither has the quality of the food and service which are both excellent. No pressure from the staff, just nice n'easy in this family run business, where you can sit down in traditional surroundings and relax. Take your own drink as it isn't licensed so you won't be ripped off for cheap wine at high prices. If you go in winter you get the roaring fires as well !! Excellent value for money and the homemade blackcurrant tart for dessert should not be missed. Five courses plus coffee for £15 (July 2008) ... what more can you want ? Nothing fancy, just good tasty food and you wont leave hungry !

We had the roast beef that was excellent and very tasty. As was the lemon mousse with raspberries. The young female waitresses were very helpful and friendly. would return!

Well, having read so much bad press about the midland recently I decided to go and take a look with my husband and the kids. I rang the hotel to see if we needed to make a reservation. We did they are so busy you have to book. When we arrived we were greeted by the restaurant manager Victoria. She explained our table wasn't ready, but we were very early, so we took a tour of the fantastic hotel while we waited. There was no childrens menu in place, a godsend if you ask me, children should eat adult food otherwise they don't appreciate good quality when they are older. I opted for the scallops to start, delicious with black pudding and a poached egg. My husband tried the Smoked Goosnargh duck breast salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. Certainly a delight to start off the meal. For mains the kids both had the trio of sausage, I tried the perfectly cooked salt marsh lamb and my husband had the halibut. We were too full for dessert but enjoyed coffee in the sun terrace, my husband had a vodka martini, made exactly to his liking by Dave the new food and beverage manager, who talked about the drink and about its origins and seemed to be rather knowledgeable. I will be coming back to the Midland hotel to try lunch in the Rotunda bar, The Lancastrian Tapas looks very different. Also the afternoon teas sound very delicious and a very good price too. I suggest that anyone and everyone tries this brilliant restaurant with exclusive decor!

The Midland is back!!! This beautiful modernist Art Deco building has been fully restored AND updated by Urban Splash. After only ten weeks in business, it is making a bold statement in style and quality. At the moment, a la carte is the order of the day, and prices match the sourcing of local delicacies eg Port of Lancaster Trout and a brill selection of local cheeses. Views from the well appointed terrace restaurant are stunning - as you dine the sun sinks slowly behind the Furness Peninsula and glimmers across the waters of the bay. WOW! For a city dwelling foodie, seek it out and enjoy a truly gastronomic and accomodational experience. If taking kids - beware of eating in. At present there isn't anything for them to eat for Dinner, although breakfast for my two (aged 13 and 10 was wicked!!! This place deserves to be visited, especially if you are after something really special. Attention to detail and brill service is the order of the day. I say -GO NOW!!!

We have been going to the Yew Tree for special occasions for over 36 years and we have never been disappointed. Wedding anniversary coming up and we will be there!

The food, the staff and the ale/wine are all excellent!!

Our 2nd visit to Pond last Friday evening with brother and sister in law. The place was buzzing and most tables were taken. We chose to have the banquet, which starts at £16 each, but we opted for £20 each. This was a selection of chef's choice brought to our table, starting with bread with various toppings, cheese, mushroom, chili, tomato, all very tasty. Followed by two types of potatoes, bravas and garlic, a pancetta salad, chicken wrapped in parma ham, fillet steak in onions and mushroom and the sweetest cherry tomatoes, topped with a buttery spinach, sea bass with mushrooms. We then asked if there was anything else to come and the waiter asked what we would like. He then suggested a dessert of chocolate dipping sauce with strawberries and raspberries and the most delicious chocolate cake, lovely! With two pints of Peroni, a white wine and soda, the bill came to £105. The meal was very enjoyable, however, we did wonder if we would have got the same amount of food for £16 a head as we did for £20? Still, along with DUK, Pond is still one of my favourite eating places and we will definitely be going again.

me and my wife visit the agra on a regular basis,we have never been disappointed,the chicken chat starter is fantastic.the staff are all friendly . top Indian highly recommended

Tipping it down with rain, horrific storm, freezing cold and soaked through we were thoroughly miserable and couldn't dislike the Ribble Valley any more than we did at that point. Then we had an early supper at The Red Pump Inn. Restorative, good humoured, friendly hosts who were attentive but not intrusive and the food....well, probably the best ribeye steak I have ever had. Superb mackerel starter and a creamy pannacotta put a smile back on our faces. Highly recommended indeed. Restored our faith in the Ribble Valley which has ruined all of our walking clothes this week!

Myself and my friend and her parents arrived at the Italian Orchard, 5 minutes prior to opening, blissfully unaware of what time it opened and went to enquire the opening time and were told it was 6pm. We stood outside waiting as the gentleman who told us what time they opened went back inside and locked the door. We waited until 6pm and there was still no sign of the restaurant opening and no sign of anybody inside. Then a man appeared and we looked at him expectantly and he just shook his head and said one minute, by this time there was thunder rumbling and the rain had started. No attempts what so ever were made to open the doors and offer us a seat in the reception area so we retreated to the car to find another restaurant along with another couple who to were sick of waiting. We tried ringing the restaurant directly to complain, but this was to no avail! Seriously poor customer service.