The Jumble Room. Grasmere.
On entering the restaurant, the first thing you notice, before the food and drink, is the unusual and quirky dining and seating area. The chairs and tables, not one matching, are both enchanting and unusual at the same time. We chose to sit by the door at a four-seat table. Our seat was a huge sofa strewn with colourful and comfortable cushions, quite unusual for a restaurant.

All around the room the decor is very cottagy, with low-slung gas style lighting and huge animal pictures on the walls. The shelves, and ledges covered in unusual art pieces, many available to buy.

We were treated to a very warm chatty reception from the owner Chrissy and made to feel very welcome. I'm sure I'd seen her before somewhere, but not sure where .... maybe a jazz festival or a silkscreen printer’s convention.... I don't know but she has that feel about her, a lovely lady.

I just love spicy seafood so the Cambodian fish curry was my choice .... and it was superb! My wife had the local Lamb, I think it's called Hardwick (not sure). We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals.

You cannot really go wrong with the food at Jumbles, but that is only part of the experience. The wine list was excellent, I believe Chrissy's husband Andy selflessly spends hours tasting and sampling his range of wines to make sure they are the best. Well done Andy ...It paid off.

The main courses worked out at around £13 each and with a bottle of wine and coffees, our bill touched £40, great value.

Before I left, I had to pay a visit to the little boy’s room upstairs ... Wow! nostalgia city. I spent a good 15 minutes in there recounting my youth in the 12" LP covers that covered the walls.

All in all an excellent restaurant and highly recommended. If you are in Grasmere, pay them a visit you will not be disappointed.

Langdale Road
Grasmere
Cumbria
LA92 9SU

Bookings taken by phone .... 015394-35188

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Zeffirellis. Ambleside..
Zeffirellis has to be my favourite establishment in the whole of the Lake District. I say establishment because it's hard to fully define just what it is.

Years ago when I visited the Lakes it was a cafe with a few unusual shops underground, selling wind chimes, crystals and knitted Peruvian hats. Now the whole of the lower floor has been turned in to a 170 seat wholefood restaurant. Upstairs is a 100 seater Jazz bar/cafe with regular live groups.

The foyer to the restaurant is a Pizza takeaway and cafe and on the second floor is a two screen cinema ! Different or what? But this is exactly what ambleside needs, it's excellent food and wines are only part of the pleasure when visiting Zeffirellis, it's ambiance and diversity make Zeffirellis what it is .... a great night out.

Most sunday evenings, visitors are treated to live jazz music upstairs while others watch the latest cinema releases below. The restaurant menu remains very much the same has it has for the last 20 years excellent pizzas, pastas, soups, salads all made with the finest wholemeal and vegetarian ingredients.

If you are in South Lakeland and you are looking for great food, in stylish surroundings, then Zeffirrellis must go on your list.

Contact :
Zeffirellis
Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AD
Tel: 015394 33845

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The Britannia Inn

This picture postcard inn lies in the very heart of what many people call "lakeland". Surrounded by the langdale fells and on the banks of the river Brathay, the Britannia is an ideal stopping point for walkers, and locals alike. With its fine selection of real ales and home cooked food, visitors are assured a warm and hearty welcome.

The Inn has two cosy bars lined with thick slate walls and capped with heavy oak beams. There is a large patio area at the front that gets very busy during the season. Diners are treated to locally produced produce wherever possible and the resident ales are produced at the nearby Coniston brewery. Resident beers include Coniston Brewery's Bluebird, Jenning’s Bitter, and their own recipe 'Britannia Special' which Coniston Brewery produce exclusively for them. Because of the Britannias popularity, booking is essential.

Contact :
The Britannia Inn
Elterwater, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9HP
Tel: 015394 37210

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