Celebrate in Style

For Chris’s birthday in August we decided to celebrate with a romantic dinner for two at Heathercliffe Country House Hotel and Restaurant. The fine Victorian house, set amidst its own ten acre estate of park and woodland provides a beautiful setting whatever the occasion. From Weddings and Christenings to sad farewells, Heathercliffe’s staff are very friendly and happy to accommodate your requirements.

Proprietors Mike & Sheila Cooksley, I’m sure many of you will recall owned ‘The Patisserie’, now ‘Lamburns’, in Frodsham. Fifteen years ago the popular restaurant was sold and the proceeds used to buy Heathercliffe, which at that time was a private house.

Formerly the home of the American multi-millionaire, John Paul Getty 1st and more recently the Queen of Yugoslavia; Heathercliffe is now frequented by visitors from all corners of the world. In 1991 the hotel was used as one of the main settings in the film “Robin Hood”.

Over the years we have frequented Heathercliffe on many occasions, Christmas party with Helsby Mini’s & Mum’s, our friends, Diane and David’s wedding, Chris’s mum’s 70th birthday and many other occasions. However, on this particular night, I realised that it doesn’t have to be a special occasion, to enjoy this venue. It really is affordable, every day dining.

The lunch menu, priced at £6.50 for a starter and main course, is very popular, and with a choice of freshly made desserts from the trolley at £3.50, it’s excellent value for money; as is the £6.95 Sunday Carvery.

We arrived on a Friday evening and enjoyed an aperitif in the lounge area, whilst perusing the menu. Although an A la Carte menu is available we were pleasantly surprised that Monday - Saturday evenings inclusive a Table d’Hôte menu is available with any two courses for £10.95 or three courses for £13.50. Offering a good variety of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes (changes each month) we finally made our choices from this exceptionally good value menu.

To start with Chris chose Chef’s Homemade Onion and Chive Soup , served with crusty bread, very enjoyable by all accounts; creamy but not too rich, delicately flavoured and not overwhelming. I chose Pear and Cheshire Cheese salad which I suppose is Cheshire's version of a Greek Salad. Cheshire Cheese combined with sliced pear, red onion and lettuce leaves, tossed in a Dijon mustard dressing, this proved to be a very refreshing combination and there was only a hint of Dijon mustard, which I was pleased about.

The roast this evening was Roast Beef, which Chris was tempted by, but as it was his birthday he finally decided on the Fillet Steak! (Although Sirloin and Fillet steaks are available on the Table d’Hôte menu there is a price premium.) “A prime slab of meat, cooked to perfection, with an excellent au poivre sauce that had roughly cracked peppercorns to provide strong flavour whilst protecting your teeth! ” was his verdict!
I decided to sample the fresh fish of the day, which was a very generous fillet of salmon, served on wilted spinach with a delicious champagne sauce; very good! Both were accompanied by roast and new potatoes and a medley of vegetables - carrot, cauliflower, French beans and courgette, perfectly cooked.

The sweet trolley arrived, groaning under the weight of eleven or so beautiful desserts to chose from. All so tempting! I finally decided on Paris Breste, a choux pastry ring filled with crème patisserie, fresh cream and fresh fruit, wonderful! Chris opted for the cheese board, a decent selection of cheese, accompanied by a variety of biscuits, salad and grapes.

We chose a bottle of House Red to accompany our meals which was very pleasant and light.

The restaurant itself is very traditional, early 20th century home. A great variety of paintings and mirrors adorn the walls and even the old bell push has remained. With large picture windows complete with decorative stained glass and dressed with swags and tails, you can sit and admire the beautiful surrounding countryside. We will definitely be back with our family to try the Sunday Carvery but in the mean time I’d better work off this lovely meal!

To reserve your table please telephone 01928 733722