The tide of chic sweeps steadily northwards and has arrived at Huddersfield, where reference to the relevant web pages reveals a desert in which it is confidently expected Lounge 68 will locate like the proverbial oasis on overtime. A split-level restaurant and lounge bar offers the latest in contemporary food, drink and music except at the weekends when the restaurant yields to the sounds of jazz, funk and soul-folk.

During the week it serves a wide range of European and Asian dishes - expect herb-crusted rack of lamb with mint pesto and pan gravy, chargrilled fillet steak with balsamic red onions and field mushrooms or Thai green curry with coconut basmati rice.

Cocktails are de rigeur and match the compelling décor which derives from the moors and hills surrounding Huddersfield in the nicest possible way. This is a first for Joe Cookson and it augurs well for both restaurant and him.