Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill, Knutsford
Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill, is nestled in the heart of Knutsford, among the many restaurants that fill the street, but I would like to tell you why to choose this above all the others.
Parking is sparse right outside of the restaurant and the streets are narrow. I would suggest parking a little outside and walking in as there is free parking from 6pm to 8am and save on the car parks that charge located nearby.
This branch of the chain is a little more intimate than the one in Alderley Edge, making it the ideal place for a cosy evening meal for two.
The stained wood panels that line the walls and the floors, make this restaurant warm and inviting and the lighting is soft so it’s a great place to huddle up and enjoy some good conversation and even better food. We were served by Barbara who gave us a recommendation of the Whole grilled British lemon sole with baby capers, lemon juice and chopped parsley, served with buttered new potatoes. She also offered us the fish and chips at the take away rate if we had wanted them for our main course. Having sampled them last time we were eager to try another dish.
We decided to go with the regular menu and had the Haggis and Seared Scottish Scallops- with caramelised pear and a lemon beurre blanc. The haggis was the strongest of all the flavours; however the citrus and sweetness of the pear and the lemon worked as a great accompaniment to balance the dish and the scallops offered another texture as they were smooth and melted in the mouth.
For our main course my partner tried the Fish Bar where he could chose his fish, the sauce to accompany and two sides. He opted for Pan fried salmon, with chilli and coriander butter and French fries and green beans.
The seasoning on the green beans was simply delicious and the fish just broke apart to absorb the butter. He said he much preferred the French fries to the twice cooked British chips he had last time as they were a little lighter as an accompaniment. The twice cooked British chips are much thicker and for those with a bigger appetite. Be warned!
I had the King Prawn Masala- with tamarind, ginger and lime, basmati rice and Indian flat bread. The curry was a little hotter than my usual Tikka or korma; however the flavours were much more apparent in this dish. Given that I am lactose free I was relieved to find that the curry was not laced with cream- which a lot of restaurants use in similar recipes. The prawns were tender and the slice of lime gave it that extra zing!
For dessert we had the Belgian Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Coulis and clotted cream.
Barbara was very accommodating when I asked for the dish without clotted cream and offered an alternative of ice cream until I told her why I wanted to order it without. The tart was rich and creamy and the coulis offered a welcome tanginess so it wasn't sickly at all.
My husband washed his meal down with a Fyne Ales Highlander, brewed at Loch Fyne, which is fine strong ale full of malt favours with hops to give a citrus aroma.
The ale was brewed at the head of Loch Fyne where the brewery was set up on 2001; a family business that makes quality beers. So if you are looking for the full on feeling of being transported to Scotland, then this is the perfect beverage for your meal.
I had two bottles of the Speyside Glenlivet still mineral water and I must say I am getting quite a taste for it!
Overall, it was the first time I had visited Knutsford and I was very impressed, the whole town had a very snug feel to it and it did not seem unusual for people to be dining out on Tuesday night, unlike our home town.
We had a warm welcome at the restaurant and Barbara ensured we had enough food and drink to satisfy our bellies all night.
It was very busy for a week night, which is testament to how good the food and whole experience is, especially with so much competition around the doors.
If you don’t eat a lot of fish it encourages you to expand your horizons. There is a section on the menu for meat, however I would suggest being a little more adventurous and choosing something from the fish options.
Having now visited two of the restaurants in the chain, there was very little difference in the standard of the staff, the food and the restaurant’s image, so I am confident that all of the others will maintain the same excellence in dining.
Thanks you to Barbara and the rest of the staff who brightened up our Tuesday evening.