Review: The Craven Heifer, Kelbrook (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Review: The Craven Heifer, Kelbrook

4:52pm Monday 17th December 2012 in Latest restaurant reviews By Gill Johnson, Features writer

WHAT a difference seven days makes — when the restaurant we chose for a family get-together this week showed just how to get it right.

After a disappointing meal last Saturday, the new-look Craven Heifer demonstrated all the attributes required for an enjoyable night out – and its packed tables testified to that.

The restaurant was cosy, bustling and elegantly decorated for Christmas, staff were attentive and friendly, while the food was excellent.

With two bottles of Rioja Roven, one of my favourites, the bill for six was £144 — although not all of us had the appetite for dessert.

Chef’s soup of the day, curried root vegetable, at £4.25, was perfectly spiced, while the red onion and sweet red pepper confit with the chicken liver parfait, £5.75, was absolutely beautiful.

Fast forward to the mains and my teriyaki salmon fillet, on stir-fried vegetables and noodles finished with a sweet sherry and sesame seed dressing, £12.95, was sooo good, while the cheese, leek and onion pie — you can have gravy if you want — was thick and tasty, at £10.25 and the Heifer burger, really did look like a large portion of a cow.

Priced at £10.95 and 100 per cent beef, it went down a treat.

Desserts are £5.50 and those who had the room decided chocolate torte was just the thing to finish an all-round top class meal.

VERDICT

• Food: 9
• Drink: 9
• Service: 9
• Atmosphere: 9
• Value: 8