Greenfields Deli & Bistro

Thelwall, for many, is forever associated with the viaduct that carries the M6 over the Manchester Ship canal leaving vertigo-suffering passengers in your car to shut their eyes and ask to be called when you've reached the other bank. However, this is merely a means to an end for not far away Greenfields Deli and Bistro is to be found, a haven of fresh produce and food made on the premises.

Starting, of course with breakfast, for many the best meal of the day, with the full English in poll position, scrambled egg or smoked salmon on buttered crumpets and the whole range of what in Britain we aspire to, but rarely achieve for breakfast, except when away from home. There's even porridge with whiskey and golden syrup.

The à la carte swings into action later during the day with starters of cod and salmon fishcakes with horseradish cream and beetroot salsa; pan-fried chorizo with rocket, cannelloni beans and cherry tomato, or oyster mushroom pancakes with plum sauce to share.

Main courses of crumbed chicken breast filled with ham and mozzarella served on sweet potato wedges and slow roast peppers, or open lasagne of sweet potato, goats' cheese, cherry tomato and walnuts make the running Trio of prime pork fillet medallions is layered with confit garlic and bound in pancetta and served with fresh mashed potatoes and jus. By way of something different pan-fried ray wings with lemon caper butter and homemade chips could strike a chord, and carnivores will rejoice to see battered rib-eye marinated in chilli, garlic and olive oil with Catalan peppers and rocket on the menu.

It is said that the further north you travel the sturdier you will find the appetites - must be something to do with the climate - so little surprise at the quality of the desserts, with a brioche bread and butter pudding with citrus anglaise, vanilla and cinnamon poached peaches with crushed meringue, or churros with warm chocolate sauce, all helpful to fortify against tricky weather. Well, any excuse!

The tapas and pasta selection offer peppadews stuffed with cream cheese, meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, and al forno with bacon, chicken, mushroom, cream, Napoli and cheese, and children have their own menu listing all the things that children like at any time of the day. A spirited wine list offers a well travelled range with a well displayed respect for some of the more traditional areas of wine balanced against enthusiasm for the new.

So, the inner man satisfied let's consider the immediate future which indicates a visit to the Deli part of Geenfields, all part of the same complex, where a dazzling selection of meats, preserves, oils and vinegars, fruit and vegetables and homemade cakes, pies and soups join with a fine array of cheeses that includes Grandma Singelton's Lancashire, Barbers vintage reserve Cheddar, St Killian and Red Devil Leicester and chillies; a veritable Aladdin's Cave for the cheese enthusiast.

Check on their Website for menus that change with the seasons and outside catering for large or small parties.