The Cross Keys Inn - Carte

Askham Hall

➤ Askham Hall, CA10 2PF, Eden, United Kingdom

Carte • Coffee • Dining • British • European

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"A property has stood on this site since the 13th century, with much of the present building being built in the late 1580s. It came into the possession of the Earls of Lonsdale in the 1830s and was the home of the 7th Earl until his death in 2006. It remained in the ownership of his widow who oversaw its conversion to boutique hotel and restaurant. I mention the history only because the whole ambiance of the public space shouts it at you – from the heraldic symbols on the walls to the shabby (not “shabby chic” condition of the furnishings in the lounge. You would never be in any doubt that you were having dinner in a stately home., even though the restaurant space feels quite modern, with a large window between kitchen and dining room. That means you can watch the chefs at work when conversation flags (as it almost certainly will over the coming hours . Unsurprisingly for a Michelin starred restaurant, food is by way of a no choice, six course, tasting menu. Be prepared for this to take a good three hours, with aperitifs and coffee – there can be long gaps between courses. The three front of house staff were very much on the ball. In particular the young female sommelier, starting out on her career, was first rate – knowledgeable and engaging. There were a couple of single bit canapes, served with the aperitif but, to be honest, I can’t recall what they were. Once in the dining room, bread was served quickly. A housemade sourdough pain de campagne, with organic butter. It was delicious and not a crumb was left – not least because it was all we got to eat for quite a while. The first course may, possibly, have been the best thing I ate all evening. It was their take on lobster thermidor. Bits of lobster, soft leeks, dice of crisp apple, the freshness of lovage and a cheese topping using Montgomery cheddar. You might have thought that using such a mature cheese would overpower the more delicate flavours but it stayed just about on the right side. The restaurant makes a great play on the provenance of the food. Much of the fruit and vegetables come from their own kitchen garden and some of the meats from their own farm. So, the garden provided a salad – Nicola potatoes, served warm, pickled beetroot, baby carrots, confit tomatoes and leaves, with dots of sheep’s curd acting as a dressing. A fish course next. It’s halibut from a fish farm in Scotland – if ever you come across halibut on a menu these days, it’s pretty much guaranteed to come from the farm on the Isle of Gigha. It’s perfectly cooked and comes with oyster mushrooms, greens, fennel and a Morecambe Bay shrimp sauce. Then the only dish of the evening which failed to please us. Rough Fell lamb is breed native to Cumbria but, disappointingly, it was chewy and just not very nice – much of it was left. A real pity, as the accompaniments of tomato, courgette, crispy potato and tarragon flavoured sauce, were all spot on. We were asked how we found it and told them (that brought an apology and a subsequent adjustment to the bill . Pre-dessert was excellent. Sweet cicely and cucumber, with crème fraiche and the only real sweetness coming from shards of caramelised white chocolate. The dessert plate that followed was also not too sweet – berries, lemon verbena cream, a sharpness from elderflower vinegar, topped with a macaroon, with it all surrounded by a puddle of strawberry “soup”. We finished a long evening with coffee and good petit fours – chocolate bon-bon, pate de fruit (that’s posh jelly to you and me and a small cube of fudge."

La Casita

➤ 9 Queen Street, Penrith I-CA11 7XF, United Kingdom

Carte • Sushi • Pizza • Cafés • Asiatic

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"Service was great, place was lovely but really disappointed in the food. The ingredients were clearly good quality but there was no zing, seasoning was absent. Options on the menu read really well innovative and interesting but the cooking was a million miles away from the good quality meals we have enjoyed in Spain. The belly pork was chewy, not slow cooked and rendered, the zarzuela was acceptable. I didnt have any fried options and that might have made a difference. All the plates came out at the same time rather than in a trickle. If I had had the four tapas option midweek then I might have been happy but at full price this was a miss. I will give it another chance but at the moment its not a go to place. Vegetarian options: Actually thought the vegi options were quite good considering."

The Lemon Tree Cafe Bistro

➤ Devonshire Arcade, CA11 7SX, Eden, United Kingdom

Carte • Cafe • Steak • Coffee • Cheese

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"Stopped off here for lunch on way home to Scotland, having good memories of this cafe from a visit several years ago. We were glad to find that it was still open and serving a wide variety of meal and snack options including lots of gluten free choices which pleased my husband who has coeliac disease. Fresh home-made food at excellent prices, and licensed too!"

Woodstone Pizza Grill

➤ Princes Street, Eden, United Kingdom, CA11 7BQ

Carte • Pizza • Steak • Vegan • British

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"We've been there twice with the whole family last weekend, we tried 4 different pizzas, 2 types of pasta, steak, kebab, chicken wings, ice cream and caramel cheesecake and we absolutely enjoyed all of them. The staff were also quite friendly and we had a very pleasant experience. We'll definitely go back there the next time we visit Penrith and we're looking forward to trying the Keswick branch as well. Service: Dine in"

Queens Head Tirril

➤ Tirril, Nr Penrith Penrith, CA10 2JF, United Kingdom

Carte • Inn • Pubs • Coffee • British

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"We always try to pop in here when we are in the area as the food is excellent and always service with a smile....we've had the pies, scampi, cheese and ham toastie which by the way is no ordinary cheese and ham toastie this is fantastic and well worth getting, also had the small plates to share such as the belly pork, garlic mushrooms, chicken strips and dip and dirty fries all of which are so good and tasty...great for parking and the pub is a traditional old building with such character.....we can't wait to go again soon....try a pint of Pitch if you like a stout"