My first thought towards this dining experience over a week ago was I wouldn't even wade into the…read moreenthusiastic mostly 5-star rating of a French styled restaurant in a fairly small town in Northern rural England. Just let it go. So here's what is bothering me, and I have strong feelings about this: the beef bourguignon. It's not rocket science to make this dish, and its base is a rich, savory beef broth mingled with things like onions, carrots, shallots, herbs like thyme and rosemary and possibly other spices to the chef's liking. Happen to know a bit about the dish because I've been making it for years. It's all about the broth to this diner. And to be fair, I once had a sadder version of the dish in Paris long ago. So how hard is it to make? Well, apparently the chefs in pubs and similar dining spots along the way are able to craft outstanding versions of their steak and ale pie that are simply outstanding in their robust beef taste. If those chefs can make that dish so well, so savory, why can't something similar be applied to beef bourguignon? I maintain the broth in starting the cooking process was simply not up to par. Lacking in richness, the beef was over-dried, suggesting it had been sitting too long or just wasn't prepared correctly. Instead of baby potatoes, a side of mashed potatoes sat off to the side of the beef and broth. Sorely lacking in the amount of butter needed and low on salt, it was an unpleasant and uninspiring addition that added nothing to the dish. The salad that proceeded the meal was listed as shrimp and mango. Out came baby shrimp with the rubbery taste of just thawed, mixed with mango, then a massive amount of Thousand Island like dressing drenching it all with a few chives atop. Not a great effort. Kudos for offering a true French Malbec from the Southwest corner of the country, the black wine, but this one was pedestrian and was served in the kind of wine glass that screams cheapest serving ware possible with its thick rim around the top. I can commend the staff which was professional and on top of it on a busy Friday night. Beyond that, this is a pass for me. Should have stuck to a local pub serving traditional countryside pies as the ones I've had along the Coast to Coast walk, my reason for being here, have all been outstanding.

Thanks to Emily B's brilliant local knowledge we ended up here early-ish on a Saturday night to…read morebenefit from their pre-1830 set menu which at £15 for 2 courses and £18 for 3 is great value for the quality of the food. I had a nice crab cake to start and only had slight food envy of my bf's delicious deep fried brie (yeah would def get that next time). For mains I had a fantastic rich and beautiful cooked duck leg and then a classic creme brulee to finish. Bf had the beef bourguignon which he loved and was still commenting on days later. On the sides front I would recommend the creamed leeks and green beans (in garlic butter), only thing I wasn't so keen on was the ratatouille. Service was very good and I love the design of the restaurant which involves a fake outdoor pavement seating area!

We take my in-laws to Simply French whenever they come to town. The prices are reasonable, the…read morefood is excellent and it's a nice walk along the quay to get there. This would be a nice place for a date, actually! It's cozy and intimate inside and quiet enough to chat. The staff is really friendly and the owner, Rob, always has a big smile for us when we cross paths (in the restaurant or just around town!) If you're going for a lunch date, try Quite Simply Food instead. It's a little cafe by the same owner and it's excellent also.

In my opinion one of the finest french restaurant in the north.Taking inspiration from some of…read moregreat dishes of La Gavroche. Had a fantastic evening in November 2011, the team provided the perfect festive lunch, the monkfish thermidor was fantastic. Strongly recommend potted shrimp starter. If you enjoy great French food, then Chez La Vie could not be recommended more highly. The wines available on the wine list are truly fantastic from the house wines to the finest red & white wines, there is something for every budget.

Pleasantly surprised. Fine dining in a little town. French food in an English Village…read more Charming inside. When we made the reservation we asked what the dress code was, no mandatory dress code, we dressed up (cocktail/wedding like attire) anyways & glad we did. Everyone was in at least a button up shirt and slacks, some had coats. The atmosphere was classy. We weren't sure if we needed to make a reservation but glad we did, it was a busy Saturday night. The food portions were filling. The food was delicious. Also ordered the Duck Fat Chips, a glass of white wine recommended with the meal, and Escargot (forgot to take pics of these). The escargot was amazing. The food was appetizing to the sight. It was evident much heart went into each dish. The staff was polite and attentive. The price was reasonable for the quality and portion. Will definitely be going back because there are many more items on the menu I'd like to try. Do recommend.

Holy cow! Call me impressed…read more On our way to Edinburgh we stopped to find a place to have dinner. Although out of the way, this restaurant in Hexham is a hidden gem. An unassuming building from the outside leads to a softly decorated dining room with French prints and neutral tones that leads to a calming dining experience. My appetizer was one of the best chicken liver parfaits I've had in a long time. Perfect baguettes accompanied the pate which also came with cornichons and white onions. Cheese soufflé was light and airy with a hint of saltiness to add effect to the overall taste. The mains of duck confit and lamb rounded out the full eating experience. My only one criticism is that the duck was a little bit dry as the dish became cooler. Lamb entree was fabulous though!!! Such an amazing little restaurant that just went through a new renovation to the dining room that just makes the whole experience a must try for anyone who enjoys French cuisine.

Excellent service, tasty food, delicious drinks & great prices…read more We highly recommend. We

Prebook in advance to avoid disappointment!…read more I booked this for our anniversary meal. Despite turning up on time we had to queue outside for at least 25 minutes with several others waiting for people to finish their meals. Once inside the waiter was super apologetic, and you could tell he needed a drink himself. The restaurant was very cosy with interesting pieces of art on the walls. A nice very traditional feel about the place. Anyway the starters consisted of various seafood and meat dishes to which you can size up as a main on average pricing of £7 to £15. I had the pork cheeks and himself the clam spaghetti. While we waited we were presented with canapés consisting of cheese and carmalised onions..the other truffle oil on crackers. These were a very tasty treat. The spaghetti was well made and the sauce light smothering the tiny clams. My pork cheek was super tender, and it lay perched on perfect mash, panchetta, black pudding, pickled onions in a tomato broth. Various bits of bread was also served to mop up this juice. Only criticism clam meat is sooo small in this country so not worth the battle against the shells for such a tiny reward. For mains I had the seafood special which was a bowl filled with mussels, clams, scallop, king prawns and longuistines swimming in a broth and fresh pasta. This was super tasty, cooked to perfection and presented nicely. My only gripe was I only had one at most two scallops. My other half chose the lamb which again was super tender, in a homely bed of mash, sauce and root vegetables. Super simple dish but everything was cooked perfectly. I was feeling quite full but the orange panacotta with orange sorbet was too tasty to miss. It didn't disappoint. Overall despite the disappointing beginning the service was impeccable and food really tasty. However I did expect a bit more in terms of creativity considering this was a Michelin star restaurant. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy your seafood especially.

L'Enclume - Cartmel, Cumbria, England Visited Spring 2025…read more There are places in the world that don't just serve food -- they tell stories. L'Enclume is one of them. Tucked into the sleepy stone village of Cartmel, this restaurant doesn't announce itself with grandeur or flash. No need to. The experience unfolds slowly and deliberately, like the first warm day of spring back home in Georgia -- quiet, confident, full of promise. I came with my daughter and my father, a three-generation table on a grey and rainy English afternoon. What we found inside was something close to sacred. Every ingredient -- and I do mean every leaf, sprig, blossom, and shaving -- is grown just up the road on their farm. It's not farm-to-table because that phrase gets thrown around too easily. This is farm-as-table. Soil to plate, with nothing lost in between. Frankly I'd eat the dirt! The food isn't flashy. It's not even trying to impress you. What it's doing is whispering to you, reminding you how a carrot should really taste, how a beet can surprise you, how even the garnish -- a single flower petal, a delicate frond of dill -- has a place, a purpose, and a story of its own. Every element on the plate has been handled with the kind of care I've only ever seen in kitchens where respect runs deeper than ego. It's the same kind of care you see in a chef who's shelling peas from their grandmother's garden, barefoot and sun-warmed. Do yourself a favor and get the cheese trolley. I don't care how full you are. This isn't a board. It's a full rolling altar of British dairy. We ate our way through it like pilgrims. The wine pairing? Thoughtful and subtle. Not a single pour felt showy or out of place. Just another thread in a tapestry that had already been so patiently woven. And if you have favourites, as my father does, they will expertly deliver what your palet craves. And let me say this plainly: the service is beyond reproach. It's the best I've encountered anywhere. Period. There's grace in the way they move, in the way they speak, in the way they listen. You're not being served. You're being cared for. And there's a difference. They knew the dishes, yes, but they also seemed to know us -- when to engage, when to leave space, when to laugh, when to refill. It's a rhythm, and they've mastered it. Chef Simon... you have done well! I won't attempt to describe each dish. That would be like trying to summarize a novel by reading off the chapter titles. You'll have your own experience -- as you should. I've eaten all over the world. Some places show off, some feed your belly, and a few, like this one, feed your soul. L'Enclume is England's high temple of ultra-seasonal cooking. It's a restaurant that respects the land, the hands that work it, and the guests lucky enough to sit at the table. And if I'm ever blessed enough to return, I won't hesitate. I'll go in hungry, and I'll leave humbled and happy.

First of all the restaurant is amazing great food the food just melted in her mouth so flavorful…read more And whenever you got up to go to the restroom, they fold your napkin again and make it look brand new. Glorious variety of wines. The staff was amazing being so nice and presented dishes expertly. Also with the fancy food you can add an additional cheeseboard at the end and it's the best restaurant I've ever been to. If I could. /10!

Olivers coffee shop is directly in front of us in the Grainger market. Its a lively nice place for…read morethe famous ' big breakfast' cooked to order and localy sourced goods. We supply them with our French oven quiches & freshly baked scones... always busy and real Lattes are a winner !

My husband and I came here for a rare date night, and I'm so glad we did. We were well-taken care…read moreof from our arrival, with bartenders thoughtfully explaining the drinks menu, and an extremely polite and attentive server of a caliber that you rarely find. The wine is thoughtfully chosen, and appropriately pricier than wine you'd find in most bars and restaurants, but I really enjoyed my Cotes du Rhone. I would highly recommend starting with charcuterie - we shared a small platter with bread, and they gave us a little bit of everything! Excellent cheeses, great chicken liver pate, a savory terrine, and plenty more. We then shared many small plates - how nice that instead of ordering one big heavy meal, you can try so many things here. Our aubergine and goats cheese salad was good, but heavy - came with a massive slab of goat cheese which after our starter felt a bit unnecessary. The boeuf bourgignon was excellent - hearty and comforting and highly recommended. I was marginally less impressed with the fish dishes - both the monkfish skewers with chorizo and the battered cod were perfectly serviceable, but didn't wow me. The creme brulee was a lovely, if small, finish. Perhaps I'm being picky, but I think they are capable of more. I'm still giving it 4 stars based on beef stew, charcuterie, service, atmosphere, and absolutely overflowing potential and charm in spades. I'm sure we'll return.

So far I've not visited many restaurants in Kendal, but this is my favourite to-date! 5 stars!…read more The service from start to finish was great; polite, happy, and quick. The menu contains a good variety of Italian/Med dishes, and currentlybtgey are offering a set menu 3 course meal fir £9.95, which is a bargin! The food was severed hot and well presented with decent portions. Delicate flavours in all the food and some Gluten Free dishes for those who need them. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for a nice evening meal in a lovely restaurant!

Very carefully presented, crafted and tasty meals with a French theme. A bit pricey, not somewhere…read moreyou might go regularly. My personal favourite treat!