Winckley Square Chop House

Preston has never exactly been renowned as a centre of gastronomy, so the inhabitants had much cause to celebrate, when local lad Paul Heathcote decided to open up his second restaurant there. A mixture of bistro (in the basement) and the slightly more upmarket brasserie, combining reasonable prices - considering the quality - pleasant service and interesting food.

Somehow he manages to create far more originality and personal feel in a place than with other chains, so much so that you are led to think that it is an individual restaurant.

Similarly to his other outlets, his signature dishes abound, from interesting ideas with black pudding - a favourite of his - to the usual Goosnargh poultry. The menu offers a host of British food with a full range of meat, vegetarian and fish dishes, with all time favourites including local boiled ham, pies and tarts.

After appetisers of olives expect to find starter dishes of poached egg Benedict made with Woodall's cured ham and hollandaise, crispy duck salad with baby spinach and watercress and oriental dressing, or a terrine of slow braised lamb, tomato and parsley with lentils and balsamic.

A feature slate wall sits either side of the open kitchen with ever changing specials making the best of British rare breed beef, lamb and pork sourced from local independent farmers. Featuring rare breed meats and organic ingredients, just let your taste buds tell you the difference.

Dishes are listed under the enticing title of steaks, grills and other bones. It's good to see mutton on the menu, a much under rated meat. This is a leg of Herdwick, with caper sauce, carrots and turnips. Game in season is yet another initiative dish - still some of the best meat to be had, the wilder the better, yet often thrown away to rot.

It used to be something of a truism that the further away from the coast you lived the less fish was eaten - no longer true, it has opened up whole new vistas on menus and here at Winckley Square deep fried Whitby cod, pan fried rock fish and wonderful spiced fillets of mackerel, one of our most nutritional of fish, are to be found.

Desserts of salty chocolate and peanut tart, dark chocolate sorbet certainly find a receptive spot and Heathcote's bread and butter pudding with apricot and clotted cream adds a whole new dimension to that much-loved dessert.

Service is another high point, always very friendly and expert, rather like Paul himself, whilst his wine list encourages experimentation, with many wines available by the glass, and house at only £12.50.

For further information, including how they cater for children, and details of their Sunday Classics menu, their Website contains their latest menus, images, special offers and much more. The menu changes seasonally - 3 times a year - for Spring in February, June for Summer and Autumn/Winter in October.