More Than Just Hot Pot: Fine Dining In Lancashire
Lancashire, the home of culinary classics like Lancashire hot pot, Eccles cakes and Blackpool Rock. But the county that lives off meat pies and blood pudding may surprise you with some of the best fine dining in the country. Grab a flat cap and fork, we’re going oop’ North…
The Inn At Whitewell
More Than Quite Well At Whitewell
I’ve eaten here in the snow, the sun and floods (the cow in that picture never stood a chance) and the one constant is that the view from The Inn at Whitewell is always stunning. Almost as much as the food. Blending gastro pub and fine dining Head Chef Jamie Cadman has created a winning formula at this restaurant nestled in the Forest of Bowland.
Where: Near Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3AT
Website: www.innatwhitewell.com
Northcote
Get Ready To dRibble
It’s hard to imagine that the Michelin star folks were expecting to dole out any accolades when their itinerary first came through taking them to Blackburn. But the grim former mill town on the moors has a secret weapon, albeit one technically outside the town: Northcote. Set in the beautiful Ribble Valley, the Relais & Chateau property has maintained its Michelin Star first under legendary chef Nigel Haworth and then under his protege Lisa Goodwin-Allen.
Where: Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BE
Website: www.northcote.com
Hipping Hall
Hip Hipping Horay
Most 28 year olds are still struggling to perfect microwaving their Sainsbury’s ready meals, but in the same time Oli Martin has gathered three-AA-rosettes. The Hipping Hall Head Chef maybe young, his expertise is unquestionable, with some of the best food in the county to be found whizzing out of his kitchen.
Where: Cowan Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, LA6 2JJ
Website: www.hippinghall.com
L'Enclume
Legumes At L'Enclume
While technically not in Lancashire, Cartmel was taken out of Lancashire and added to the made-up county of Cumbria in the ’70s, surely we can claim L’Enclume? The two Michelin star restaurant is the creation of chef Simon Rogan and since it opened reviewers and critics have been chucking so many awards and accolades in their direction that some days they surely can’t see the sun. Or maybe that’s just the Northern weather? Either way, if you’ve got a foodie bucket list then L’Enclume should absolutely be on it, and with most of the food grown on Rogan’s farm nearby, the 20-course tasting menu sounds like a safe bet for ticking it off in style.
Where: Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, LA11 6PZ
Website: www.lenclume.co.uk
Adam Reid At The French
Nothing Middling At The Midland
Let’s leave geography students to argue over whether Manchester’s part of Lancashire or not and instead enjoy the cooking of BBC’s Great British Menu winner, Adam Reid. Reid is Chef Patron at The French, the celebrated restaurant at The Midland Hotel, arguably Manchester’s grandest hotel, inherited the restaurant from Simon Rogan (of L’Enclume fame) when he suddenly left last year and the shift in style under Reid has been well received and cemented the restaurant as a must-eat-at for the North West.
Where: The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Website: www.the-french.co.uk
Moor Hall
You Want Moor?
Lancashire born-and-bred, Mark Birchall is the Chef Patron at Moor Hall and has excellent restaurant pedigree too, having been Executive Chef at L’Enclume immediately before joining Moor Hall. The modern British menu is predominantly drawn from produce grown on the five acre site. Moor Hall is a relative newcomers, founded as a ‘restaurant with rooms’ in 2015, but the house itself dates back to the 13th century.
Where: Prescot Road, Aughton, Lancashire, L39 6RT
Website: www.moorhall.com
