A culinary adventure at the Manor House

Tucking into the a-la-carte menu in its chic Lantern Room restaurant certainly felt like a culinary adventure - it was a case of “expect the unexpected” as each a-la-carte course was served. With choices such as keta truffle, confit leg tart and vegetated kale, these dishes pretty much have their own personalities...

Ahead of our starters, we were served a selection of snacks, each beautifully presented. On both the a-la-carte and taster menus, the detail is as much in the visuals as the taste.

Our selection of snacks comprised smoked cod roe and keta on crispy seaweed; Long Moor Ale bread with whipped beef fat; truffle and cavolo nero on rye and - a fun talking point among diners - tasty cheesy doughnuts with garlic and a Marmite sauce to give it a kick. A divine flavour fusion in each taster dish.

Our starters followed an amuse-bouche of pear, Tunworth cheese and sherry vinegar. I went for Orkney scallop and smoked eel with Granny Smith apple. I’d never eaten eel before, it’s not something I’d normally choose, but this whole dining experience was so adventurous I decided to give it a go. It was a light, deliciously smoky fish, I’d certainly have it again.

My friend, Susan, also tried a first - poached oysters, with sticky pork cheek and celeriac. Other starters included sweetheart cabbage with crab apple, onion and thyme, and raw veal fillet, beetroot, raspberry and caviar.

I was tempted by North Sea cod with kale and mussels for a main course but went instead with BBQ celeriac, soft duck egg, chanterelle and lovage. The flavours and textures worked well and, like much of the menu, it felt clean and nourishing.

Susan loved her spiced duck - “One of the best I’ve ever tasted” she sighed - with a tasty confit leg tart and sprouting broccoli. Also on the main course menu was English Rose veal, pumpkin and Swiss Chard.

For dessert I indulged in a heavenly caramel mousse, with popcorn, chocolate and hazelnut while Susan had the artisan cheese board. We were impressed with the young waitress’s cheese knowledge.

With a painted rose ceiling and funky interiors, the Lantern Room restaurant is a relaxed contemporary space for intimate dinners or fun with friends. With Huddersfield Town footballers among recent diners, it’s a place to be seen and, since the Manor House hotel opened in April 2018 it has become a popular addition to the restaurants and bistros lining the main street of Lindley, near Huddersfield.

The Manor House’s vibrant decor is down to owner Sara Presley, who spotted the property while out running. A former children’s home, the Grade II listed Georgian building had stood empty for 20 years and Sara, an interior and furniture designer, had a vision for how it could be. She and husband Mike, a fabrics specialist, bought the property and, following a two-year £4.5m restoration, it opened as a stylish boutique hotel.

Each of the 11 rooms is individually designed. An Asian influence, inspired by Sara’s travels to China, runs through artwork and furniture, contemporary designs blend with historic features, and clever touches, such as old-style parquet flooring, create the feel of a lived-in old house. There are beautiful stained glass designs, and fabulous lighting complements the rich colour scheme. Each room, with Georgian high ceilings and long shuttered windows, has its own style. Our spacious room spanned two floors, with a lovely bathroom suite upstairs. Watching TV in the roll-top bath and pottering in the large beamed wet room was a perfect way to prepare for dinner.

With two restaurants and three bars, the Manor House has dining and drinking for all occasions. The Clock Tower Lounge oozes elegance; we enjoyed afternoon tea beneath shimmering chandeliers, and as the lights dropped for cocktail hour there was a buzz among the early evening crowd.

Outside, a roof terrace bar - due to open at Easter - overlooks the courtyard seated area, and a chic cellar bar offers charcuterie snacks and can also be booked as an intimate wedding dinner venue.

The Kitchen, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast of smashed avocado on sourdough toast, is a lovely airy space opening onto the courtyard. A large outbuilding, restored with a brand new adjoining space, is now the Coach House, with three rooms for weddings, parties and conferences.

I loved the quirky charm, stylish decor and friendly, relaxed vibe at the Manor House. It has the intimacy and chic of a boutique hotel and, with much to discover, from cellar to rooftop, it complements Lindley’s lively food and drink scene.

l The Manor House, Lindley. Call (01484) 504000 or visit manorhouselindley.co.uk