I was very much looking forward to my Sunday lunch out today. Not only because I was meeting up with my dear friend D, but also because we had decided to give Eric’s Restaurant a try as neither of us had been there before. I had found out about it from twitter (@Ericrestaurant) and was immediately taken by the delectable tweets and the info on Eric’s website (www.ericsrestaurant.co.uk) .
The restaurant is situated in the heart of Lindley near Huddersfield. Being a Sunday, there wasn’t a problem finding parking on the street outside.
Our table was booked for 12.30 and we were seated in the downstairs section in a little corner which was just ideal for us. The restaurant is not big but the tables are well spaced so one does not feel cramped or cluttered.
The atmosphere in this restaurant was wonderfully relaxing and unrushed; the service attentive without being overly intrusive. When we arrived there were only two other tables of two already enjoying their meal. Tables were set for another 2 and 5 (which included a high chair for an obvious little person). When the restaurant filled up a little later with these covers, it still remained wonderfully calm without excessive noise; it was still possible to hear the background music being played which was a welcome change as so many restaurants these days that turn out to be a shouting match over the background din and blaring music.
Sunday lunch at Eric’s presents a set menu with 2 or 3 courses as options, £17.95 and £21.95 respectively. The menu for me, a carnivore, was nicely varied. For D, the vegetarian options were limited – two options for the starter but only one for the mains. However, this was soon forgotten as the quality of the food was excellent.
There were some warm chunks of delicious bread (supplied from The Hand Made Bakery in Slaithwaite) along with dipping oil & balsamic vinegar that came with our starters. I had chosen Goat’s cheese and red pepper spring roll, rocket and pine nut salad for my first course. I am still intrigued as to how the spring roll was done because I don’t believe it was deep fried as the crispy casing lacked evidence of any oil. Needless to say it was delightful with the Goat’s cheese and red pepper filling bursting with flavour. I’ve never had a spring roll like it – I am bound to be disappointed now with the run of the mill, generally tasteless offerings at one’s local Chinese or Thai!
I struggled to choose my main. Was it to be the traditional English roast beef or the lamb shoulder or … the fish. Roast fillet of salmon, merguez sausage tagine, saffron aioli won over and I was most pleased with my choice; I could wax lyrical for a while on how delicious it was. Steamed veg of cauliflower, carrots & butternut squash were included and we also treated ourselves to a shared portion of potato wedges. These were beautifully crisp on the outside and soft & fluffly on the inside – just how they should be!
The vegetarian dishes chosen by D were mushroom & roast garlic soup to start which was rich with flavour – I did enquire about how this had been made and was told the key was the stock had been reduced down to intensify the flavours … note to self to see if I can achieve the same result! Main course was Lancashire and mozzarella cheese fritters with caramelised onion compote – no complaints were noted.
We were so full from these wonderful things that there was no room for dessert or coffee even though the desire was there as we were sure our expectations of the same quality and flavours would have been rewarded. We’ll just have to go back …
Opening hours: Tue-Thur: 12:00-14:00; 18:00-22:00 Fri: 12:00-14:00; 17:30-22:00
Sat: 17:30-22:00
Sun: 12:00-18:00
75 Lidget Street
Lindley
Huddersfield
HD3 3JP
Tel: 01484 646416
www.ericsrestaurant.co.uk
Twitter @Ericrestaurant