Cumbria & Isle of Man Restaurants
279 restaurants in Cumbria & Isle of Man
Restaurants in Cumbria & Isle of Man:
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Restaurant at Sharrow Bay Hotel
Sharrow Bay, Lake Ullswater, Penrith, CA10 2LZ [Map]
In all things in life there are peaks of excellence, which cannot be reasonably challenged. Such is Sharrow Bay, standing on the south shore of Ullswater and looking straight up the middle stretch of that wonderful extent of water to the Helvellyn range and the surrounding Cumbrian Fells.
Sharrow Bay was once likened to an oasis cocooned from the world and all its troubles. Started in 1948 by Brian Sack and Francis Coulson it quickly acquired a reputation for nothing but the best, to the point where nowadays few would quibble with the oft-cited claim that Sharrow Bay has no equal in the world.
This has been very much due to the special skills and intuition that Brian and Francis, now longer with us, were able to bring to almost every aspect of the hotel's affairs. Nor have they been remote and scarcely an evening passed without one or both of them being on hand to welcome and spend time with guests. Of such simple and genuine gestures is success born.
There are no airs and graces at Sharrow Bay; there is just understated comfort, attention to detail, and good taste in abundance. A phalanx of awards, the most recent an RAC Gold Ribbon in 2000, bear testimony to what makes Sharrow Bay one of the Great Experiences. Show me the man who was disappointed by a visit there and I will show you a man who has no further use for life.
Dinner is at eight, not before and certainly not after. The range of breads, which are freely circulated throughout the meal, are imaginative and plentiful. Cooking is traditional English with minimal variations. Desserts are friendly to the palate if not to the waistline and icky sticky toffee sponge generates the sort of memories upon which one dwells when the morale needs a boost. And for those specialists with long memories the Savoury is alive and well at Sharrow Bay. On a slightly different note the breakfasts are legendary.
Sommelier James Payne's wines are diverse, fairly priced and over 20 of them are available by the glass.
One would be forgiven for supposing that such excellence was beyond the means of all but the seriously rich. Rest easy, prices compare favourably with other country house hotels and you really have no excuse for not taking your nearest and dearest there at the earliest opportunity, always provided you can get a booking.
English
£48.00£71.00
Restaurant at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Great langdale, Ambleside, LA22 9JY [Map]
International
N/AN/A
Restaurant at Overwater Hall
Ireby, Bassenthwaite, CA7 1HH [Map]
In a remote part of the often crowded Lake District sits Overwater Hotel, with stunning views of Skiddaw and outlying hills. The Hall is a gracious country house hotel where those small difficulties that intrude elsewhere are ironed out and personal service is paramount.
The dining room, with its cool décor, demands certain standards and smart casual dress-code is requested to do justice to the occasion. There is a marked tendency towards a simplistic approach to the cooking, A popular starter is the Scottish smoked salmon and Cumbrian black pudding in a filo pastry case with rocket and chard, poached quail's egg and tarragon hollandaise, set on a wholegrain mustard cream. A parfait of chicken livers with cinnamon, port and thyme comes with toasted brioche and red onion and apricot marmalade. Real traditionalists may want to linger over a plate of hors d'Oeuvres or savour a generous bowl of Solway lobster bisque.
Main courses start with the Fish Selection, as ever dependent on the market or what the local fisherman catch on the Solway. The lobster is renowned, sautéed with brandy and served in a filo case with mild English mustard and coriander sauce, glazed with parmesan cheese and served with char-grilled asparagus. Red mullet and salmon make frequent appearances. The butcher's block offers local venison, pan fried rack of lamb and barbary duckling, and the meal concludes with a good selection of desserts, or a stab at the local cheeses.
Modern British
N/A£23.00
Restaurant at Sawrey House Hotel
Sawrey, Hawkshead, nr Bowness-On-Windermere, LA22 0LF [Map]
British
N/A£35.00
Restaurant at Clare House
Clare House, Park Road, Grange-Over-Sands, LA11 7HQ [Map]
French
N/A£38.00
Chapters - Douglas
Book14 Victoria Street, Douglas, IM1 2LH [Map]
A stylish contemporary ambience sets the stage for an important business luncheon or intimate supper at Chapters in Victoria Street. Patrons can expect to dine on classic favourites with individual touches from either the table d'hôte or à la carte menu. If a more lavish celebration calls there's always the option of the eight-course menu prestige.
Flag off the meal with seared carpaccio of beef or fritter of aubergine and Roquefort. Then move on to loin of Manx rabbit alongside slow braised leg and a curried honey and parsnip purée, orzo risotto or breast of duck hotpot with roasted potatoes and a blackcherry compote. Finally, if tempted not to miss dessert, select kulfi pannacotta with homemade shortbread and basil crème fraiche or rooibos and milk tart with an almond nougatine and a pistachio and orange chocolate truffle. A judicious choice of wine from the extensive list to match the meal adds flair to the occasion.
Fusion, International
£20.00£40.00
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