The facade of Breda Murphy's gives no clue to what lurks behind this solid, 1920s suburban detached house a stone's throw from Whalley station.
The facade of Breda Murphy’s gives no clue to what lurks behind this solid, 1920s suburban detached house a stone’s throw from Whalley station. We look for twitching curtains but, seeing none, we proceed inside.
The attractive Irish woman who gives her name to this establishment has one heck of a pedigree when it comes to high-end victualling. She learned her trade among the hallowed pots and pans of Cork’s Ballymaloe Cookery School and did so well they made her stay on to teach others.
Luckily for us, she moved to Lancashire. Breda was largely responsible for the culinary success of the Inn at Whitewell, picking up a stack of awards for the famous Bowland hostelry.
Six years ago she moved to Whalley and success has followed her and her talented team. Two years ago they won a major gong at the Lancashire Life Food & Drink Awards. So we called in one lunchtime to see if they still have the luck of the Irish.
Interior: Is it a caf�, is it a restaurant? Both. Through the front door and you are into a small shop of cook and glassware and that takes you to a deli counter. Further on in what would have been the front parlour is the main dining area. It’s light and bright with whitewood posh caf� furniture.
Food: As tempting as you’ll find it any top restaurant with starters (�4.75-�7.25) which include a nod to the past with Ballymaloe chicken liver pate. Mains and salads (�11.50-�16.25) include Goosnargh chicken with parsnip and pearl barley risotto, liver Kiev and crispy bacon and there’s a wonderful vegetarian sweetcorn and rosemary galette with a butternut squash puree and pumpkin seed granola. The puddings look great but it’s hard to get past parkin with sticky toffee sauce and cream cheese sorbet.
Drinks: While in caf� mode, there are all the usual suspects and a few more plus a small but good wine selection.
Service: Polite, friendly and smiley.
Our verdict: Ireland meets Lancashire, falls in love, eats happily ever after.Food By Breda Murphy, Abbots Court, 41 Station Road, Whalley, BB7 9RH01254 823446
