Finally found a reason to return to Glossop after about a decade hiatus (taking the Lass to meet the Aged Parents for the first time). At the Guv'nor's suggestion, we chose the Norfolk for lunch. Last time I set foot in this building was a good twenty years ago, still in elasticated jeans, and the place was filled with smoke and pensioner/dole bar flies.
The place has changed hands several times since, undergone some serious renovation work (just like Glossop as it happens), and - wow, what a difference. The place feels like it could be one of the upmarket pubs in the trendy areas of Manchester.
No comments on the bar itself as we stayed in the restaurant, which is frankly a lovely spacious room - I lack the energy to do it justice in this missive - but the staff were very attentive and personable. The Aged Ps are regulars and it was clear from the waitress's interactions with them that a rapport had been built. You can go to some places and be served by the same person over and over again and they'll still treat you like a stranger. I got the feeling that you can go to the Norfolk just once and they'll still remember you six or seven months down the line (I will test this theory at some point!).
Food was fantastic, we all ordered fish dishes, and this is the first place in a long time where I've ordered whole tail scampi and got exactly that, rather than frozen combobulated mush in batter. The batter incidentally was crisp and just so, the chips were as you'd expect, proper fat home made things. Very satisfying and piping hot, though sadly not as crisp as I'd have liked. Everything was presented perfectly with attention to detail (such as the scampi being served up in a little fry basket) rather than just slapped on the plate in the order it came off the stove like Sunday dinners growing up.
Highly recommend the spicy salmon (the Lass's order, which self took liberties with), not the best salmon in the world, but Seattle spoiled me in that department, and I've had far, far worse over the years, definitely better than what you'd get out of the supermarket.
The only downside to the afternoon was the mishap with the fire alarm, which chose to malfunction just as our order arrived and continued for a good five minutes or so. The staff were really good about it apologising immediately and reassuring there wasn't a conflagration in the offing (to which the Lass stated flatly that she was taking her plate with her if we did end up going outside). Can't really fault the establishment for the alarm, at least the bloody works, and feel somewhat sorry for them that an elderly couple out with their grandson the next table over had the immortal rind to take advantage of the minor chaos caused and abandon ship without paying.
At any rate that was a minor thing and I had a headache before I crossed the threshold so no real tragedy, the place is definitely worth a look in if you happen to be kicking around Glossop or the surround. I encourage you to form your own opinions, and leave a fat tip.
~A read more