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Venue

Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer’s Earle occupies a prime position in central Hale, just a few minutes’ walk away from the station, where there is parking for those making the journey by car.

Menu

A relaxed dining menu of contemporary British classics created from ingredients sourced as much as possible close to home.

Prices on the a la carte menu range from £4.50 for the soup starter to £26 for prime rib eye.

We opted for a starter of Halloumi, red pepper coulis, caponata salad and wild rocket, £6.50 and the Thai spiced potato cake with an Asian salad. Portions were a decent size and presented in rustic style. The potato cake needed a little more spice to satisfy our chilli cravings but otherwise a good start to the meal.

For mains the roasted cod, baba ganoush, saffron potatoes and tabbouleh salad, £20.50 was the outright winner. A delicious moist piece of fish with perfect seasoning and a clever eastern twist. Feta cheese, spinach and pistachio filo layered pie was fine and accompanied by red onion roasted tomato and rocket salad and red pepper jam, £13.50. A Manchester tart with a delicious raspberry sorbet and vanilla yoghurt mousse with Pistachio sponge and salted pistachio brittle ended the meal on a high note. We accompanied our meal with a bottle of Gremillet, £48.

Decor and ambience

There’s a boutique hotel vibe to Earle - oh if only it had rooms! The decor is smart urban with lots of wood, walls of exposed brickwork and soft lighting. Walls remain largely unadorned except for a large Earle sign and a blackboard featuring details of future events etc. Tables are spaced sufficiently wide apart to add to the intimate feel.

Service

Helpful, friendly, unobtrusive.

Cost

Three courses each, mineral water and bubbles, £111.50 (excludes service)

JANET REEDER

Earle by Simon Rimmer

4 Cecil Road, Hale, Altrincham,

Cheshire WA15 9PA

0161 929 8869

www.earlebysimonrimmer.com