I’VE intended to go to the cosy cottagestyle restaurant at Egerton for years and always on the lookout for a bargain, however, the temptation of an early-bird special finally swung it.

The restaurant has been taken over by the previous owner of JJ’s, who had built an outstanding reputation at Farnworth. I never went to that restaurant, but have heard nothing but rave reviews and I must report that those high standards appear to have been maintained.

The service and quality of the food was exceptional, well above what I expected and it is certainly pencilled in for a return visit.

My wife and I found a pleasant, intimate atmosphere that the handful of couples in the room appeared to thoroughly enjoy.

The restaurant is small — pokey some would say — but looks can be deceiving as there are two more rooms, all neatly set out with comfortable, black, leather chairs and ample space between tables.

The menu provides starters and desserts at a fiver and main courses at £12.95, but the early-bird special offers two of the courses for £12.95.

There is a blackboard menu with price supplements.

I plumped for what turned out to be a melt-in-the-mouth cheese and leektopped flat field mushroom drizzled with chilli jam, while my wife chose Lancaster smoked kippers and Morecambe Bay potted shrimps, blended in a smooth pate, served with toasted muffin, pickled cucumber and beetroot relish.

It was a terrific start and we waited in anticipation to see if the chef could deliver an equally sumptuous main course.

We were not disappointed. My lamb shoulder literally fell off the bone. It was served in fresh rosemary gravy and an unusual addition of beetroot fritters. The meal came with a dish of vegetables and potatoes as did my wife’s selection of lime and pepper fresh tuna, which she found satisfactory. The dish, cooked to perfection, was marinated in lime and black pepper oil, pan fried and served on green salad with a cucumber yoghurt dip.

Desserts looked very tempting and as we were in no rush we gave ourselves time to make enough room for a third course. I was tempted by the roasted pear and sarsaparilla ice cream, but left that to my wife, who again found it scrummy, especially the ice cream, made by Dowsons of Blackburn. I plumped for chocolate fudge pot — rich home-made chocolate fudge stuffed with blueberries and laced with creme de cassis and topped with cream.

What is there not to like in that?

There is an extensive wine list and we were pleased with our Chilean Merlot at £14.95, while for beer lovers, although they only have bottles, the German brew is not to be missed.

The restaurant has theme nights which appear to be good value at £20 for the food and half a bottle of wine.