WHEN it comes to good food, Knutsford has plenty to offer – but when it comes to ‘fyne’ dining, there is only one place to go. 

Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill in Knutsford is nestled in the heart of the town, within the stunning and regal Grade II listed Royal George building.

The King Street restaurant was the setting for our recent first wedding anniversary celebrations and we were thrilled with our choice of venue.

For the duration of the evening, we took pride of place in one of the beautiful bay windows that spilled out onto the street, a pleasant quirk of the historic building. From our vantage point, we could enjoy the hustle and bustle of passers-by and yet still feel tucked away in our own little sanctuary.

Our little haven was complete as we popped open a scrumptious bottle of Italian white wine, Savino Pinot Grigio.

Our waiter, Michael, was attentive from the get-go, and spent a great deal of time talking us through the specials, his personal recommendations and even where ingredients were sourced.

To start I chose the Tempura Battered Squid and my partner, the Chilli and Garlic King Prawns.

The squid was beautifully presented but the real beauty was in the taste.  Cooked to perfection, the squid was tender and the batter, crisp.  Accompanied by the exquisite Chilli Jam, the flavour really came alive.  The homemade jam has a truly unique taste and I couldn’t get enough of it. 

I can say in all honesty, it was the best starter I have ever tasted.

The Chilli and Garlic Prawns also proved a hit, and had a zesty yet fiery kick.  The granary bread was perfect to soak up the lemon oil, although much of it was used to dip into the remainder of the Chilli Jam (my husband was also instantly hooked).

Before our mains, Michael persuaded us to sample the famous Loch Fine oysters.  Neither of us had ever had oysters before so we a little apprehensive.  They arrived on a bed of ice, with sides of tabsco sauce, red onion and vinegar, and chopped shallots.

Despite our initial flounder, the oysters went down a treat.  In honour of the ‘first oyster’ experience, Michael boxed up our shells so that we could take them home as a memento – a thoughtful and quirky idea.

The main was next, and I went for King Prawn Masala whilst the other half opted for Rib on the Bone. 

The masala had a tamarind, ginger and lime base, was served on a bed of basmati rice, and accompanied by Indian flat bread.  I am not usually a fan of ginger but the taste was subtle and not overpowering.  The portion size was slightly smaller than I would have expected, but considering the starter size, I was satisfied.

The Rib on the Bone, 400g 28-day-aged steak, twice-cooked British chips, mushrooms, Béarnaise sauce and crisp shallot rings, was more substantial.  The meat was tender and the chips, thick and floury.  Just how they should be.

There was still room for dessert, and I opted for Michael’s recommendation of Sticky Toffee Pudding with toffee sauce and Swedish vanilla icecream.  My husband chose his go-to dessert – Passion Fruit Cheesecake with passion fruit and mango sorget.

The sauce-soaked pudding was melt-in-your-mouth good and the ice-cream complemented it perfectly.  The cheesecake was altogether different, with a tangy hit and burst of exotic fruitiness.

By the end of the meal, we were clearly satisfied and most definitely impressed.  Not only were we served up a delicious meal, but provided with a unique, fine dining experience.

It is fair to say Loch Fyne Seafood and Grill in Knutsford made an already special occasion even more memorable.