I had an enjoyable late lunch here last Saturday. Although the décor is up to standard for a…read morebistro, the preponderance of families with tots ensured the atmosphere didn't get too rarified! But this wasn't a problem for me, and the ambience is probably more sophisticated during the evening.
The cake and dessert selection is a big thing here with everything being made from scratch. Vegetarian options on the menu were enough - a soup of the day, panninis (?) and a couple of mains.
I enjoyed my choice of baked red pepper stuffed with couscous, sundried tomatoes, olives and with a pesto over the top. I specifically asked, and the chips are definitely handcut on the premises. Everything on the plate was as it should be. Chips, albeit handcut, seems to be a bit of a fallback to fill out the vegetarian option in British 'bistros'. For me, the couscous stuffing here was more enjoyable and healthful than the chips.
The service was friendly and attentive, although I did feel that one waitress was haring around the tables a bit much - a wee bit more serenity does wonders for the digestion, I find!
Price is definitely right - I don't have the receipt to hand, but £6.99 is my recollection. I would have no problems with eating here again.
If you like the ambience of West Didsbury in Manchester you might like to checkout Lark Lane, which has similar options for comparing the menus of a tight concentration of 'foodie' restaurants and pubs before making your choice. And with Sefton Park, the regenerated Festival Gardens and Riverside Walk (basically, a new promenade along the side of the River Mersey) nearby, this part of the world is definitely worth a visit.