The Fat Loaf — Restaurant in Trafford

We've walked past the fat loaf so many times in the 8 years we've lived locally and never once been in, yet kept saying we'd try it. We've heard good things from different people, and it is always busy on passing. Our son turned 25 this month, so I suggested we finally try it. After reading the menu online, he was super excited to try it. I booked online for 4 people, it is so easy to do, and I received a confirmation by email and a reminder near the booked date. There was no deposit asked for. We walked to the restaurant but there is plenty of parking available around the village on the roadside, parking in the buck which you pay for at the machine, parking in the plough pub providing you use the pub I assume. On entering the restaurant, we were struck by how nice the decor was. It's painted in warm dark tones but isn't dingy. It's cosy, inviting, and comfortable. Lighting is on point, enough to see what you're eating but not glaring and intrusive. There was a large table set up on the bar side for a big booking, other smaller tables around it and we went around the wall divide to an area with more tables all spaced to allow plenty of people to dine but not on top of each other. Having booked one of the early evening slots, it was quiet when we arrived, so we were given a choice of where to sit and chose the window area. The young man who welcomed us in was very nice, cheeky and fun, patient and great at his job. He recommended a lovely beer for my husband to try, and even I enjoyed it having taken a sip and then a big old glug after that - and I don't drink beer! Really good recommendation 👌🏻 The drinks were served super swiftly and our food choices were taken from there. The menu has some fabulous options on it, spoilt for choice, to be honest. I think we all made such joyous noises on taking our first bites of the starters. They were absolutely delicious. The feta starter was spot on, served with a finely cut fruit, which added the juiciest, sweetest contrast to the taste of the feta tang. Crumbed and fried to perfection, timed perfectly so it wasn't dried out and tasteless. Pomegranate seeds and dressing finished the dish to the best taste level ever. The sausage roll starter was gorgeous. the husband practically inhaled it because it was so delicious. The meat was soft, juicy, and full of flavour. Our sons scotch egg dish was the best scotch egg I have ever sampled in my life. My son adored it, perfectly cooked egg, soft centred surrounded by the most moist of meats brimming with flavour. Black pudding is added to the meat mix, and it adds such a flavourful twist to what could have been a bland dish. Another amazing starter. DIL had the garlic bread, just heavenly! Crisp but not overdone, thin but not dried out, oozing with the freshest tasting garlic butter. Perfection. I can highly recommend the fillet steak for the main. Mine was cooked amazingly and completely on point, I can't stand seeing blood in any meat. Even pink meat puts me off, so I asked for it to be overdone. Previous places I've dined at have incinerated my mains and ruined dishes because of it. It's a fine balance, and the chef at the fat loaf has the most amazing skill of timing each one to the dot! My steak came with not a millimetre of pink to be found yet was so tender and juicy I was speechless. Literally, I didn't talk for most of the main as I savoured each piece melting in my mouth. Hubby once again devoured his food in rapid time, stating that it was one of the best cuts of meat he's had as a steak. Other dishes enjoyed were the steak pie (perfect pastry and melt in your mouth meat again) and the risotto with butternut squash(?). Cocktails were consumed after the main. I ordered the cheesecake, a good-sized wedge of light, fluffy, goodness that I could have eaten again and again. The birthday boy was full and didn't want a pudding. He soon regretted that on seeing and tasting mine. I ordered another piece, and it was delivered to him with a single lit candle by our fab gentleman looking after us that evening. Very...

I had a fantastic dining experience recently! We started with a bottle of Carte Noire Picpoul de pinet to set the tone.

For our starters, we enjoyed the Chermoula grilled mackerel fillet, served with gunpowder potatoes, spring onions, coriander, and chilies. The King prawn ceviche was another delightful choice, featuring a medley of tomato, lime, cucumber, coriander, guacamole, and crispy fried tortillas.

Moving on to the mains, we savored the Orecchiette pasta with cavolo nero, ricotta, lemon, almonds, and parmesan. The Cod dish was equally impressive, with smashed eggplant, tomato & basil, peas, za'atar yogurt, and a garnish of fresh coriander.

Finally, we indulged in dessert. The Chocolate pot with brandy-soaked prunes, raspberries, and a shortbread biscuit was a delightful treat. And the English strawberries paired beautifully with raspberry sorbet, smashed meringue, Chantilly cream, and a touch of prosecco.

Overall, it was a memorable culinary experience with a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Highly...

I can't praise this family run restaurant enough. I would give this restaurant six stars if it was possible. My husband had the rump steak and he absolutely LOVED it and he's a fussy eater. The meat was tender and so tasty and peppercorn sauce was superb. Personally I didn't find anything on the menu that I fancy, I'm fussy too, so I asked the owner if they had chicken, she said it's not a problem. I asked for chicken breast, mashed potatoes with asparagus and pickled gherkins. It was so delicious, the meat was so excellent, cut like butter. Superb attentive service and nice relaxed atmosphere. Busy too but not crazy or frantic. If it wasn't so far from where we live in Norfolk we'd...