Review

Situated right next to the River Brathay, Chesters is a very popular destination for walkers and non-walkers alike.  Enjoy a bowl of hearty soup or a slice of cake whilst you relax and watch the world go by.

I first enjoyed a drink and slice of cake here about 20 years ago when it was part of the Kirkstone Galleries.  Even then I remember enjoying a rather large slice of sumptuous bakewell tart.

I suppose in a way not much has really changed in the intervening 20 years - they still serve some of the most delicious cakes around!

The menu offers a wide range of delicious food that is seasonal and where possible, locally sourced.  I always find the soup rather hearty, particularly after a long walk in the colder months, and that along with a slice of something sweet and a hot chocolate (served in a tall glass) generally sees to any hunger that I may have.  The cake menu changes almost daily and includes favourites such as bakewell tart, flapjack, fresh strawberry pavlova and various gateaux.

Inside there is a mixture of tables and chairs plus large sofas where you can relax.  During the warmer months there is a large terrace where you can sit outside and enjoy a bite to eat or simply relax with a bottle of wine and some friends.  There is a wood burner inside for the colder winter months.  Dogs seem to be quite welcome at the outside tables, and there are water bowls provided as well.  It can get very busy, particularly during school holidays.

Although babies and young children seem to be welcome, there is still a little way to go.  For instance, although there is a baby changing facility in the ladies' toilets, they don't have any high chairs.  Hot water for warming baby's food is available on request though.

The good news is that there is no smoking throughout - including the outside terrace. 

There is also the attached Touchstone Interiors shop which offers a range of high quality (and suitably priced) house wares from towels to teapots and stone shower trays to toys.

Food:	[4 / 5]
Child friendliness:	[3.5 / 5]
Dog friendliness:	[4 / 5]

Sample Menu

LIGHT LUNCHES OR STARTERS

• Risotto of beetroot, goats cheese and winter herbs
• Penne pasta with roasted vegetables and herb oil
• Salad of marinated anchovies with roast peppers, Kalamata olives and basil
• Smooth chicken liver pate with Chester’s chutney and grilled country bread
• Fresh linguini with smoked bacon, mushrooms and tarragon cream
• Chester's fishcakes with green salad and a lemon mayonnaise
• Soup served with granary bread
• Leek and Gruyere Tart served with a seasonal salad
  

MAIN MEALS

• Wild boar and apple sausage from Cartmel valley with crushed new potatoes and a Calvados Cream Sauce
• Salad of confit field mushrooms with puy lentils, green beans and herbs
• Winter salad of Cumbrian air dried ham, celeriac remolade, fine beans and herbs
• Braised shin of Galloway beef with creamed potatoes and a rich red wine gravy
• Fresh linguini with smoked bacon, mushrooms and a tarragon cream
• Crisp Duck leg confit with bubble and squeak and a whole grain mustard sauce
  

CAKES

• Date Slice, Flapjack, Chester’s Chocolate Slice, Tiffin Bar, Westmorland Crunchie, Chocolate & Peppermint Bar, Gingerbread and Fudgy Peanut Slice
• Tea Bread, Banana and Walnut Loaf
• Chocolate Caramel Slice, Brownies, Coffee, Cinnamon and Walnut Slice
• Chester’s Scone ( Jam and cream extra)
• Olive and Rosemary Scones, Cheese Scones, Cherry Scones and Blueberry Scones
• Sponge Layer Cakes - Lemon, Coffee, Chocolate
• Carrot and Walnut Cake
• Toffee and Apple Cake, Lime Layer Cake
• Treacle Tart, Lemon Cream Pie, Victoria Sponge
• Apricot & Almond Puff Pastry Tart, Lemon Meringue Pie

Menu taken from website September 2007.  Due to the seasonal produce used it will vary and this is intended only as a guideline.  Please see their website for a current menu.

Photographs

Map