The Lime Tree Restaurant and Wine Bar — Restaurant in England

This restaurant had good reviews and its menu seemed nice online. The very scenic route to the restaurant through the Upper Goyt Valley also made the trip worthwhile.

Sadly, the good parts end there. Whilst the menu options seem OK online, the venue is let down by a lack of attention to detail by the front of house staff. Questions like 'have you been here before?' or 'would you like any help with the menu?' etc would have been helpful but it semeed as though the staff were very much used to regulars and had forgotten some basic communication and courtesy skills.

Staff were not unnecessary rude but you could tell they were used to their regular customers.

The menu on site was poorly designed and very difficult to read and understand each dish. Secondly, the staff only allowed one menu per table (I specifically asked for another only to be declined). This alone is very strange and got your back up before you had even ordered anything!

The restaurant had a range of seating both indoors and outdoors to suit most but to get the outdoor seating you need to reserve early. The parking is tight as the road outside the venue is narrow and often very full.

Now for the food, the steak in peppercorn sauce was Ok although it would have been nice if the staff offered the sauce separately (they did. ot, nor did they ask you if this was what you wanted). The courgette dish was very well constructed but that remained the only highlight dish for me.

We declined dessert as we got tired of waiting for staff to take the order, they seemed to frequent our part of the restaurant very i frequently and almost never when you semeed to need them). Instead they were chatting extensively with the regular customers at the front of the restaurant.

When staff finally came, we asked for our bill and explained that we were very tired and wanted to depart. Despite saying we were tired, the staff seemed to forget (or ignore) this and we eventually gave up waiting a further 15 minutes for the staff and card machine to appear. We left our table and paid the bill on our way out at the front desk.

This typified the overall lack of attention to detail by the staff who clearly have gotten very 'comfortable' with Regulars but have forgotten some basic service standards like 'listening to the customer', being attentive and ensuring all customers leave having had a great evening.

The food was above average although part's could be refined. I daresay that most visitors will find the restaurant and food standard good. I think the food was good but sadly it could be superb coupled with a better service from staff.

As for the service, that left a lot to be desired and dont even start on the ridiculous menu situation. I hope that your experience is...

This is the sister to one of Manchester's finest: the Lime Tree in Didsbury ranks consistently amongst Manchester's top eateries for 20+ years. The owners live just up the road (and I mean this literally: they live upwards in the hills) where they operate a smallholding. So their lamb (and some other meats) is from their own farm (no NZ frozen imports here). Also of note: from the early days in Didsbury, Paddy had established relationships with wine merchants and growers and this shows on the wine menu: you will find terrific wines at very reasonable prices (Paddy also runs regular wine-tasting evenings where he will talk you through a wine pairing alongside a nice meal; highly recommended).

Of all the meals we have had, I was never disappointed with a dish. They change the menu according to the seasons to ensure fresh produce. Some of my favourites are their Norfolk asparagus (when in season) with parma ham, poached egg and all the usual goodness. Our kids always (!) go for the heavenly chicken and duck liver parfait (as would I if not for the calories). As a mains, it is hard to beat the Cheshire spring lamb unless you want to do yourself a favour and order a dry-aged beef rib (ask for it).

The quality of the food and the sophistication of their cooking is not something you would expect in this small village. It is fairly outstanding. If you look at their pedigree, it starts to explain things. But here's a little secret: The owner's son, Sam, lived in London for years and had stints at some of the top chefs there (I am talking Gordon Ramsey and such like). You can see they are striving to hit the perfect balance between homely atmosphere in a village restaurant with fine dining food standards. And I think they're hitting that balance quite well indeed.

Before I sign of: another reviewer called this restaurant "part of a chain". If you call two family-run restaurants a chain, he is right. However, I think the term is sending people to a slightly wrong direction. A chain, this is not.

(Disclaimer: we are friends with the owners but this changes nothing I said above; it merely gives me a bit...

We were regulars at the Didsbury HQ when we lived in Manchester, and it was always in our top 5 in the northwest. Since we moved to South Chesire, that's a bit far away for a regular visit, but we're so glad that the Bollington branch is only 30 minutes or so away. Visited today for the first time this year; we haven't eaten out much recently because, well, because. So when we do eat out we need to choose carefully so we're not left feeling disappointed.

We went today for lunch, and man were we NOT disappointed.

We shared the nachos and pea dip. Delish. I had butternut soup, which was perfect, and the cauliflower and chickpea Indian style main. Perfect balance of spice, acid and texture. Really lovely. Mrs Express had the chicken liver parfait, as usual, and it was perfect, as usual, with roast beef for main. The beef looked great and the yorkie and roasties were also spot on. I keep on using the word 'perfect'. Again, because.

We didn't leave room for puds sadly, so can't comment.

All in all a really first rate Sunday lunch. We definitely won't leave it so...