SITUATED just up from the shore, The Silverdale Hotel offers a restaurant full of character and cheery staff.

Although there is a lovely conservatory in which people were dining, we decided to enjoy our meals in the main building, which has a real country-pub feel to it.

Right from our arrival bar staff were helpful and smiling, which always makes a great start to the experience. The menu was plentiful but I liked that there was an additional ‘smaller portions’ section, allowing you to perhaps enjoy two (or even three) courses without being ‘stuffed’.

I went for the five bean chilli (£8.95), and was impressed. I expected all sauce and no vegetables, but there were plenty, and this made it a filling meal. There was also a sizeable portion of rice and a dressed salad, all presented wonderfully.

My partner opted for the Cumbrian sirloin steak (£14.95), which was served with chips, onion rings and mushrooms. Again it was a good sized portion, and was cooked to perfection.

Perhaps this was a boring choice, as there were specials including a venison burger and a duck dish, but sometimes the predict-able choices are equally as satisfying.

There was a good choice of desserts also, with sticky toffee pudding prominent – as seems to be the case in most Cumbrian restaurants.

And the gooseberry fool special sounded intriguing .

The hotel prides itself on delivering home prepared, locally sourced and great food, and as far as I’m concerned they’ve got it spot on. And for those who like to ‘walk off their dinner’ it couldn’t be better placed as the beach is just metres away and is a beautiful place to be on a summer evening.

VERDICT

  • Food: 8
  • Service: 8
  • Atmosphere: 9
  • Value: 7