Northcote Restaurant

Our Inspector's view

Northcote is justly famous as one of the best places to eat in the North, with fantastic, often local, produce used to very good effect. Enjoying a beautiful setting in the Ribble Valley, with fabulous views of the Forest of Bowland from the terrace – an ideal place for pre-dinner drinks – the original much-extended red-brick Victorian manor is comfortably decorated in a relaxed modern style, with contemporary art works and elegant furnishings. It’s a lovely place to stay and the highlight, of course, is the food. Lisa Goodwin-Allen is a staple of The Great British Menu and as executive chef she oversees a kitchen that takes its inspiration from the best of local ingredients – including some from Northcote’s own kitchen garden. Her years of experience and technical know-how are evident in stylish, contemporary interpretations of classic dishes with a definite Lancashire accent. At lunch there’s a very reasonably priced seasonal three-course offering, while dinner presents a five-course tasting option, along with a vegetarian version. An early summer lunch might feature chalk stream trout tartare with horseradish buttermilk, lemon and seaweed, or chilled tomato consommé with cheese dumplings. Follow that with risotto of cauliflower with confit shallot, yogurt and frozen cheese, or Yorkshire chicken, with Spilman’s asparagus, smoked bacon and tarragon. Stick in the north for Manchester Tart with banana and raspberry, or Yorkshire rhubarb honeycomb semi freddo with fennel pollen. Accompanying it all is one of the region's outstanding wine lists, its glories dispensed with engaging knowledgeability by a fine sommelier. There’s plenty to do while you’re visiting – the Ribble Valley is a paradise for anyone who likes to get out and about in nature, with stunning landscapes, heritage sites and a thriving food culture.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

4 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence

AA Notable Wine List