Eccleston: Verdes

1:54pm Thursday 7th February 2008

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Tucked just off a busy main road, and within yards of a Somerfield store, might not seem like a good location for a restaurant.

But an impromptu visit to Verdes restaurant in Eccleston proved that the proof of the pudding is definitely in the eating.

For a week night it was very busy - always a good sign - and I'm told it's always best to book in advance for tables at weekend. Not surprising as the food is excellent.

An upstairs bar area is a great place to peruse the detailed menu or enjoy a post-meal pint or glass of wine.

It's always good to be able to see the kitchen area which is the case at Verdes.

Watching flaming food frantically being prepared is an entertainment of its own for the diners.

The only downside with the open-plan kitchen/restaurant area is that the place gets very warm, so leave your cardigan in the car!

In the summer months Verdes offers al fresco dining on a raised decked area overlooked by ducks from a nearby pond.

Skipping the varied selection of starters, my friend and I opted for two of the many steak dishes. A well-done peppered steak in a mouth-wateringly creamy sauce, and lightly done steak Diane, with mushrooms and onions in a brandy sauce.

Both dishes came with a side dish of potatoes and crispy seasonal vegetables, all cooked to perfection as were the steaks.

Pressed for time, we both skipped the assortment of tempting desserts but polished off a bottle of house red that wasn't bad for a house' wine.

Verdes might be a located in a new build but what it lacks in quaintness it certainly makes up for in cleanliness and panache.

Apart from being spotless, the restaurant is tastefully decorated to a high, modern standard.

There are plenty of vegetarian dishes available and meals such as half portions of pasta and half pizzas and chips for young diners.

Parking is available on a nearby car park.

How did it fare? (out of six stars): Food 6 Drink 5 Service 5 Atmosphere 5 Value 5