Bridge Street Restaurant

Located in Kendal, Bridge Street brings a breath of fresh air to that attractive gateway to the Lake District, and the culinary prospects of the town are much enhanced by an over-riding concern for the quality and freshness of food, served in a friendly environment.

The muted colours and tasteful table settings lend themselves particularly well to dinner at this restaurant. A leisurely browse over the menu in the bar could include a bowl of mammoth Belli di Cerignola olives, bruscheti bread with garlic or tomato and mozzarella, before sitting down to some pan fried Scottish king scallops served with a light ginger and apple puree with a hazelnut salad.

A whole dressed Cornish crab arrives with cos lettuce, shallot and caper mayonnaise, warm spiced bread and a sliced lime for that burst of tangy freshness and for vegetarians there could be sliced white peach and Galia melon salad with a smooth watermelon sorbet, baby basil leaves and toasted pine nuts. All starters are served with artisan breads baked in-house and French unsalted butter.

Lamb that has spent its short life on the Lakeland Fells is, in the view of many, unbeatable. This lamb could have come from Kentmere, and a roast rack is served with creamy dauphinoise potatoes, crispy tempura fine beans and a redcurrant Port sauce.

For vegetarians there is a shallot tart tatin, with caramelised shallots and topped with melting Keldthwaite gold cheese. A halibut fillet is lightly poached in a vegetable herb stock with a vine tomato broth and peeled tiger prawns. All main courses are served with two vegetables of the day. Whilst some of their dishes may sound complex, they arrive at table with the main ingredients prominent in appearance as well as flavour.

Round that off with smooth milk and dark chocolate torte with butterscotch ice cream, fresh cherries and an orange caramel sauce in such pleasant surroundings, perhaps accompanied by one of the spectacular dessert wines on offer.

For special occasions, such as New Year, six course gourmet evenings are de rigeur, with such treats as roast saddle of venison and lemon crème brûlée with lavender shortbread and clotted cream ice cream.

The wine list carries several very acceptable wines by the glass and includes their Magnificent Seven, wines chosen as representing the pinnacle of winemaking skill.

The temptation on the part of some restaurants to have a website designed that turns out to be a mental obstacle course has been firmly resisted here, and one click on One Bridge Street's Website is the first step towards a friendly and fully informative introduction to this excellent restaurant.