Lucy's on a Plate is nestled in the heart of Ambleside and boasts open fires and cosy seating, the perfect place to eat on a chilly spring afternoon.
Lucy's on a Plate
I have to confess; it's been years since I visited Lucy's on a Plate so there have been a few changes since I last set foot in the restaurant. What used to be a little shop is now a reception area so it was lovely to be able to see such a difference.
My parents and I celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday night rather than Sunday as we thought everywhere would be booked up. We decided to take a trip to Ambleside in the hope that we could get in somewhere without a reservation as a spontaneous double celebration.
We had our heart set on Lucy's on a Plate but we knew we were taking a risk by just popping in without a booking. Thankfully, they had a table for us right in the centre of the restaurant. We weren't really dressed for the occasion as we were expecting to eat lunch in a pub, but Lucy's has a welcoming atmosphere even if you are in walking gear! It says on the website that it invites families, couples, friends and singles to dine, drink, chat and read and you feel totally at ease when you walk through the door.
The starters came quickly despite how busy the restaurant was and all of them were a triumph.
My dad had Soup of the Day- which was Cream of Mushroom. It is generally gluten free and vegetarian, but the menu urges you to ask a member of staff before ordering. He was really impressed with its creaminess and the warm crusty bread to accompany was perfect for dipping and soaking up the flavour.
My mum opted for the Noodled Beef- crispy strips of beef in as sticky hoi sin sauce and served onto a bed of soft noodles. She is on a healthy eating kick at the moment so this fit in perfectly with what she could have as part of her diet and satisfied her craving for Asian inspired food.
I had the Greek Delights- Houmous, pitta bread, sun-blushed tomatoes and olives to remind you of lazy summer days. The houmous came in an open Kilner jar and the pitta was slightly warm with a little pot of juicy olives next to it- all presented on a piece of slate to remind you of where you are in the world. I can honestly say I have never had houmous as a starter that was so beautifully presented with a taste that was equally as satisfying.
For mains, my mum had the Simply Salmon- Salmon fillet, poached and simply served together with crushed new potatoes, steamed vegetables and finished with freshwater prawn sauce. Again it was light and packed with plenty of vegetables, so a healthy dish for anyone who is counting the calories. The crushed new potatoes gave it a new twist on the classic mashed potato accompaniment.
My dad chose Chish and Fips- Beer battered hake, fried until crispy and accompanied by fries, tartre sauce and green pea puree. It made us giggle as this is what he used to call fish and chips when he was little so it was the natural choice for him. He has a hearty appetite so ordered the large one, which meant we could pinch some of his chips- always a bonus!
As the only vegetarian at the table, I had the Top Tart- the classic sweet Tarte Tatin translates well into a savoury dish- combination of vegetables and caramelised shallots, baked under the puff pastry, turned out and served with rocket leaves and balsamic glaze. Although you may expect pastry to be heavy, this was only a very thin layer beneath all the Mediterranean style vegetables, so it tasted very indulgent but the rocket salad and veggies balanced out the naughty with the healthy!
We are all so full, we couldn't manage dessert but we washed it all down with some fruity tea, which quenched our thirst and appealed to our sweet teeth all the same. But they do look good don't they?!
Our original plan was to go to the cinema, but this was a much better choice as we were given the chance to talk between courses and bond as a family, which is what Mother's Day should be all about.
We were also lucky enough to meet Lucy herself and she kindly gave my mum a little plant to take home.
I always say sometimes the unplanned days are the best and this was a true example of this.
Thanks to Lucy and all her staff for making it a Mother's Day we will always treasure.
The only negative thing I can say about this restaurant is that it's not closer to home- fancy relocating to Warrington Lucy?!
Lucy's on a Plate and the Lake District are well and truly open after the flooding so make a special effort to pay it a visit and enjoy some really good food while you're there!
Tagged in The Lake District