Harden's survey result
Summary
“Lancashire hospitality at its best” but in a thoroughly forward-looking vein has won rightful acclaim for this much-extended manor house, in the Ribble Valley (which stands immediately off the A59). “The team of chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and MD and cellarmaster Craig Bancroft are paired like the best food and wine” and staff “remain fun, focused and dedicated”. Lisa manages to juggle her increasing TV fame with delivering “really elegant and fabulously balanced menus” (“always enhanced with fabulous wine pairings” overseen by Craig); and “despite running an exceptional kitchen, she still finds time to pop out to chat to dinner guests”. Grievous complaints are notable by their absence, although the niggle that “portions are definitely on the ungenerous side” surfaced in a couple of reports this year, as did the notion that the overall style “seems just a little more ‘corporate’ since it has joined ownership with The Stafford in London”. But “for a special occasion, it's hard to beat” and “divine bedrooms add to the fabulous experience”. A highpoint of the year is the international gastronomic festival called Obsession which they run annually in January and February, which “has grown over 20 years from them chasing chefs to attend, to restaurants now asking how they can be considered for one of the nights”. “We try to go here at least once a year… well worth the 3-hour drive!”
Summary
One of the best-known gastronomic retreats in the UK – this converted manor house lies in the heart of the scenic Ribble Valley. Built in late Victorian times, just off what’s nowadays the A59, the original house has been much altered and extended over the years, including the addition five years ago of the ‘Garden Lodge’ – a separate accommodation block in the gardens. Now owned by The Stafford Collection, it is still led by MD Craig Bancroft who (as co-founder with chef Nigel Haworth) has helped drive its emergence as a major force in the region over the years: not least its impressive, twenty-year old ‘Obsession’ festival of fine food and wine held in January and February of each year. Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allan “seems to have grown in confidence after her increasing TV exposure” and “having taken on the mantle of Nigel Haworth she has, if anything, exceeded her mentor”. “Under her skilful guidance, the kitchen delivers exceptional flavours from a seasonal menu” (“had no one been watching, I would happily have licked all five plates”) and numerous reporters complimented the ‘at home’ boxes here as the best they experienced in the Covid era. The cooking is matched with a wine list “reflecting the passion of the team especially Bancroft the MD who has also trained some seriously good sommeliers”, and service generally is “so attentive and professional yet personable and friendly”. If you were looking for a gripe, you could find one or two fans who feel that “for all the extensions and renovations”, they don’t dig the decor. More commonly, though, the surroundings are judged “utterly delightful”, contributing to “a marvellous experience from start to finish”.
Summary
One of the “top class gold-standards for restaurants in the North West” – this luxurious country house hotel, just off the A59 near Preston, has risen to ever-greater prominence over the years, and “its new ownership (The Stafford Collection) promises yet-additional investment”. “With Lisa Goodwin Allen now established as Executive Head Chef, there’s a new vibrancy to the cuisine, with interesting and imaginative new dishes whilst maintaining the best from the past” (established under Nigel Haworth); and “better touching base with its North West roots than it has in recent times”. Over the years the property has been lavishly added-to and benefited from a “classy” refurbishment (occasionally felt to be a bit “corporate”). There’s “an exceptionally curated wine list, whose selection is led by MD Craig Bancroft, with plenty of classics but lots of other interesting wines from around the world”. “Will they now get the second Michelin star that they so crave?”
Summary
One of the “top class gold-standards for restaurants in the North West” – this luxurious country house hotel, just off the A59 near Preston, has risen to ever-greater prominence over the years, and “its new ownership (The Stafford Collection) promises yet-additional investment”. “With Lisa Goodwin Allen now established as Executive Head Chef, there’s a new vibrancy to the cuisine, with interesting and imaginative new dishes whilst maintaining the best from the past” (established under Nigel Haworth); and “better touching base with its North West roots than it has in recent times”. Over the years the property has been lavishly added-to and refurbished with a result that can seem a bit “naff” or “corporate”, but which mostly gets the thumbs up for giving a “classy” impression. There’s “an exceptionally curated wine list, whose selection is led by MD Craig Bancroft, with plenty of classics but lots of other interesting wines from around the world”. “Will they now get the second Michelin star that they so crave?”
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Northcote?
Restaurant details
Northcote Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Had a substitute dish on the gourmet menu due to allergies it showed thought and fitted with the rest of the menu. The quail second course was amongst the best dishes I’ve eaten anywhere. All courses had layers of flavour and textures. Really excellent. "
"Northcote - 19 Feb 2022 Menu The Seasonal Lunch Menu Three courses including coffee from £45.00 To Begin or add as a Middle Course Marinated Mackerel, Carrot, Cardamon Yogurt, Coriander, Orange Pearls £8.75 Contino Blanco, Rioja, Spain, 2019 70ml £7.50 | 125ml £12.50 | 175ml £17.85| Bottle £69.00 Cornfed Chicken, Liver Parfait Madeira, Granny Smith, Warm Brioche £8.75 Le Fromentau, Pinot Gris, Josmeyer, Alsace, France 2018 (B) 70ml £8.90| 125ml £14.85| 175ml £21.20| Bottle £83.00 Winter Mushroom Tart, Kidderton Ash, Cappuccino, Chervil £8.75 Redoma Rose, Dirk Niepoort, Portugal, 2019 70ml £6.20| 125ml £10.35| 175ml £14.70| Bottle £56.00 Main Course Roast January Cabbage Steak, Hazelnut, Whipped Potato, Truffle Butter £22.50 La Tufera, Bourgogne Blanc, Etienne Sauzet, France 2018 70ml £9.80| 125ml £16.35| 175ml £23.35| Bottle £92.00 Cumbrian Lamb, Leg Shepherd’s Pie, Black Garlic, Turnip £22.50 Reserva, Viña Tondonia, R. Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Spain 2009 70ml £10.10| 125ml £16.80| 175ml £24.00| Bottle £95.00 Gurnard, Pickled Mussels, Saffron Potato, Sea Herbs £22.50 Alvarinho Soalheiro, Primeiras Vinhas, Antonio Esteves Ferreira, Portugal 2020 70ml £8.30| 125ml £13.85| 175ml £19.70| Bottle £77.00 Dessert Pear Tart Tatin, Horlicks Ice Cream, Sugar Floss £8.75 Château Dereszla 5 Putonnyos Tokaji Aszú, Hungary, 2016 70ml £14.40 | Half Bottle £70.50 Yorkshire Rhubarb, Vanilla Cream, Basil £8.75 Moscato d’Asti, Contero, Piedmont, 2020(V) 100ml £10.40 | Half Bottle £32.50 Two British Cheeses, A selection from The Courtyard Dairy served with Peter’s Yard Crackers £8.75 10yr Tawny Port, Quinta do Eryamoira, Ramos Pinto 70ml £14.65 | Bottle £97.50 ~ Freshly ground Colombian Huila & El Salvador Blend Coffee or a selection of Teas served with a Chocolate £5.0 A snow storm moved in as we approached, this had also meant they were initally a little short staffed. Amuse bouche in the bar - a pleasant cheesy and caramelised onion dip with some crackers. Two types of bread, a cheesy one and a sourdough, both warm and pleasant, butter was hard. To start I had the mushroom tart, nice stew of winter chanterelles, hen of the woods & trompette (although I don't thnk I found the trompette but some shitake!) nice crispy tart shell, pleasant cappucino of goats cheese foam, red leaf sorrel, a couple of slice of button mushroom. My guest had the chicken liver parfait. Very smooth, a decent size portion, madeira glazed ball, good contrast of small diced apple, plasant two slices of brioche. Main. Both went for the lamb. A nice cutlet, served pink, good, a little chewy, sadly the fat trimmed off, would have preferred it on and rendered crispy. Black garlic puree good, roast cauliflower good, lightly turmericed cauli ok, romenesco ok (so not turnip as per menu), sauce/gravy ok but could have been punchier. The small side of braised lamb shepherds pie was very good and tasty. Perhaps a little more butter in the mash needed? and a twist of pepper over all. There was something in the meat "ragu" I thought maybe ginger, my guest thought not but couldn't identify, later we decided possibly worcestershire sauce. Dessert Poched rhubard with a vanilla cream, under a rhubarb gel cloak, topped with a spelt bisbuit and rhubard sorbet, circled with a basil oil. Nicely sharp but not too sharp ending, needed more of the basil oil to make any impact on flavour, topped with a delicate rhubarb tuile, good. The pear tatin was warm crispy pastry and pear filling, Horlicks ice cream excellent, very good thin dehydrated slice of crispy pear. The sugar floss was more like just spun sugar with the brittle glass texture than a floss texture. but overall ok. Coffee (£5 each) The coffee was very good, although a single petit four each of a crispy coated choc shell with soft ganache centre seemed a little miserley, two each would have been better. Drinks Had a rhubarb and rosehip cordial, pleasant, and an alcohol free beer, ok, glass of tap water each. total just over £133. Noticed later we were charged for a bottle of sparkling water. Fair although drinks pricey but felt it lacked a "wow". Food score 3 Service score 3 (suffered due to some staff late - inclement weather) Ambience 3 - nice location, and scenic, impaired by weather Value for money 3 - drinks expensive. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £95.00 |  |
|
|
|
| Lunch | £45.00 |  |
|
|
|
| SundayLunch | £45.00 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 95.00 | Always available | 5 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14.00 | £32.00 | £9.00 | £7.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Northcote Rd, Langho, BB6 8BE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Whalley
British, Modern restaurant in Wiswell
British, Modern restaurant in Waddington
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Manchester
British, Modern restaurant in Aughton
restaurant in Liverpool
