The Fat Loaf, 62 Green Lane,
Ashton-on-Mersey, Sale, Cheshire M33 5PG
Tel: 0161 972 0397

It is a while since I have eaten in Ashton Village, so my colleague and I thought a spot of lunch in this area would be a good idea. This is a sister of the Fat Loaf in Altrincham, which we have reviewed and liked, and I believe there is now a third Fat Loaf in Didsbury.

There is parking directly outside and a free car park is available within easy walking distance. At 12.30 we had the restaurant to ourselves. It was cold and wintry outside, and the restaurant itself was not hugely warm. The restaurant is quite spacious, seating fifty. We were swiftly seated and provided with iced water and a bottle of Delfresco (Italian) Pinot Grigio at £14.50. We thought the wine was a little sharp.

There is a lunchtime menu available offering two courses for £15 or three courses for £18. The pudding menu costs at £4.95 per item, except for the posh cheese platter which comes in at £9.95. No other menu was offered.

We both ordered the mushroom winter soup which was served with melted Gruyere en croute. I normally associate this with French Onion soup, but it worked surprisingly well with the mushroom. No additional bread was offered. This was a good, winter-warming dish.

For his main course my colleague had smoked haddock gratin, which was excellent, which was served with rings of garlic French bread. Sadly, these were cold. I had sea bass, which was nice, but could have been a little warmer. We noticed it sitting lonely on the servery, awaiting the final grill crisping of the haddock gratin.

There was only one warm pudding on the menu but as I contained figs we both declined. It was not really the weather for cold desserts, so we finished with an expresso and a cappuccino, which were both very nice.

The bill came to £48, which I thought was dear for what we had.

I have had excellent dinners in this restaurant in the past so I know it can deliver very good standards. Perhaps there is just not enough trade to enthuse them at lunchtime.

Will we return?

Perhaps for dinner.

Our Verdict

Atmosphere 6/10
Service 7/10
Food 6/10

Editor’s note: If there is a restaurant you think our TMD should visit, good or bad, then let us know with an email to Helen@haahandbook or call us on 0161 975 4925.