Chorley: Camerons, Birkacre Garden Centre

10:08pm Monday 23rd June 2008

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Trying to find somewhere different to have lunch, apart from the usual cafes and sandwich shops in Chorley, I remembered that Camerons restaurant in Birkacre Garden centre was just a short drive down the road.

The garden centre is particularly attractive at this time of year and the restaurant is a lovely setting looking out onto the blooms and the hanging baskets, with the birds and butterflies flitting about.

Every time I’ve been to the restaurant it’s been packed and this time was no exception with a mix of garden centre customers, business people in their suits and even a group of teenagers which was quite unexpected.

Everything is freshly made and with an open kitchen and the chef beavering away, you can keep an eye on how your food is being prepared.

I passed on the starters, which included mushroom soup, prawn salad and smoked haddock and spring onion fishcake topped with a poached egg.

My partner chose the soup which he said was creamy and filling and would have been just enough for a quick snack.

On Sundays the restaurant has a carvery which is very popular and the smell must be almost irresistible as you wander round picking plants.

They also do barbecues at weekends so there’s a good selection of food to choose from.

Mains included pan fried scallops with Parma ham, chicken caesar salad, home made steak burger and hot smoked salmon with new potatoes and roasted carrots.

I chose the only vegetarian option (also vegan) which was roasted red pepper stuffed with Moroccan couscous topped with marinated tomatoes.

As it was freshly made there was a bit of a wait for it to cook, but when it arrived it was delicious and filling and something I might try at home.

My partner picked the fresh crab and grape baked potato served with salad and said it was excellent.

There’s always a good selection of cakes at Camerons and we shared a tempting Victoria sponge with a couple of cappuccinos to finish things off.

All in all it was a relaxing break in the middle of a busy day.

How did it fare? (out of six stars): Food **** Drink **** Service **** Atmosphere **** Value ****