The Cartford Inn

The Cartford Inn has been a favourite of mine since I was a child as my parents used to take us there quite often. It has since evolved into a fine dining restaurant offering sophisticated dishes using the best seasonal ingredients.

When it came to picking a restaurant for celebrating Mother's Day, The Cartford Inn was top of my list as it had been ages since my last visit. One thing I love about this place it that they change their menu seasonally, I think this is a great sign of fresh food and creative chefs.

My mother and I decided to share two starters as we were tempted by too many and found it hard to make a decision. Our choices were 'marinated pork belly and watermelon with sweet pickled cucumber, mint basil and goats curd' and 'fresh crab and nori gnocchi with enoki mushrooms, yuzu and wasabi foam.' Both tasted amazing, but I have to say the pork belly was my favourite; the combination of flavours worked so well together, I didn't want it to end.

Marinated pork belly and watermelon

Fresh crab and nori gnocchi

For main course I set my sights on the whole roasted Lytham poussin, served with a sourdough, lemon and thyme stuffing, maple jersey royals, chard, butternut squash and chorizo. I could not fault this dish, all elements worked so well together and was presented so well, like all of their dishes. 

Whole roasted Lytham poussin

I very rarely order desserts as I tend to stuff myself silly, but the dishes at The Cartford Inn don't over face you and leave you feeling satisfyingly fed. However, this also means I feel the need to squeeze in pudding and of course when informed that the special for the day was chocolate fudge brownie it would have been rude to say no. I asked to swap the vanilla ice cream for Wallings toffee crunch as this is a favourite of mine and I rarely get to visit with me living in Leeds, and it made the dessert taste even better! The brownie was soooo gooey, I was in heaven.

Chocolate fudge brownie

The Cartford Inn is a place all the family will love. Great food and great service as the waiters ensure you are well looked after throughout your meal. This is also a great place for lunch as they offer a lunch menu; I once had a pulled pork sandwich with coconut coleslaw and it was to die for, I am still living in hope it will return to the menu one day!

We had an amazing day celebrating an amazing woman and will be returning very soon for sure!