Cheshire Life Luncheon - The Yellow Broom, Twemlow Green, nr Holmes Chapel

We couldn’t fail to fall for the charms of Twemlow Green’s Yellow Broom restaurant at our recent ladies’ lunch, says Janet Reeder

Louise Robbins serving Laurent Perrier Rose to Janet Hanson, Uma Trehan and Gianna Lisiecki-Cunane (Image: Archant)

Ahhh...the pleasures of a ladies’ lunch cannot be over estimated.

There’s something so deliciously ‘naughty-but-nice’ about succumbing to an afternoon of indulgence with friends old and new in a lovely restaurant.

And on the occasion of Cheshire Life’s most recent ladies’ luncheon, The Yellow Broom, Twemlow Green, proved to be very lovely indeed.

First impressions on arrival are of an elegant facade of what could be a country residence set in its own grounds and with the pale paintwork both outside and in the restaurant itself, it is easy to see how this has become popular as a wedding venue.

Tea from The Manor (Image: Archant)

The building nestles picturesquely in the prettiest gardens. It had a former incarnation as a tea room run by two ladies in the 1950s. But the owners for the past 22 years, Russell and Nathalie Burns, are at the helm and while Russell works in the kitchen on a magnificent array of dishes, we get the warmest of welcomes from Nathalie.

Glasses of pale pink Laurent Perrier are served and international sales manager for the champagne house Stephen Brandwood is on hand to explain a little about his choice of a Cuvee Rose. It’s pink, so perfect for a ladies’ event. More than that, it enhances elements of the delicious treats to come.

Our lunch commences with a selection of canapé-versions of dishes featured on the Yellow Broom’s menu.

Crab and sesame toast, mini beef wellingtons, bites of fresh tomato and mozzarella, melting morsels of toasted brioche, Roquefort and mango chutney and in homage to the fact it was close to Burns Night (and the fact Nathalie and Russell are Burns people themselves), mini haggis with neeps and smoked salmon on mini oatcakes are beautifully arranged on platters which are proffered as we sip our bubbles.

We are then seated for the main event - sea bass which has been steamed with fragrant fresh herbs and lemon and served with Provincale ratatouille and buttered rice. This is accompanied by an excellent wine selection that includes a lively, Rothschild Sauvignon Blanc and a Rothschild Pinot Noir bursting with berry flavours.

It’s a menu that showcases the Yellow Broom’s kitchen skills and the delicious lunches that are now being worked into the restaurant’s winning repertoire of all-day dining, whether it’s a cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning or a weekend dinner of several courses with wine .

Afternoon tea is now on offer at the Yellow Broom which echoes its past as a former tea room. Last year, Nathalie and Russell launched a veranda area which has been an enormous hit with customers so it is set to continue for the summer.

Of course, it is the perfect spot for afternoon tea and to give luncheon guests an idea of the delights on offer we were treated to cake stands laden with the most scrumptious hand-made treats.

It would really have taken an iron will to resist this ‘mini afternoon tea’, with light as air meringues stuffed with clotted cream, melting sponges, buttery pastries, and éclairs filled with crème patisserie. Helping us observe the tea ritual was another rare male at the event. James Green brought along a magnificent selection of brews from his splendid Holmes Chapel-based Tea from the Manor company.

James was a military man who became inspired by the world of tea. His blends were so impressive that he was approached by the manager of the Chester Grosvenor and now Tea From the Manor is the five star hotel’s preferred brew.

With such a convivial atmosphere and wonderful food, it was hard to drag ourselves away from the Yellow Broom (the name derives from the Scottish gorse bush Yellow Broom in Twemlow and its magnificent shower of yellow flowers). Spring is in the air and judging from the reaction to the menu at our lunch, this looks like just the place to enjoy the seasons to come.

To start

Canapés chosen from the new lunch time menu at the Yellow Broom - crab and sesame toast, mini beef wellingtons, fresh tomato and mozzarella, toasted brioche, Roquefort and mango chutney, mini haggis with neeps and smoked salmon on mini oatcakes

To continue

Fillet of sea bass, lightly steamed with fresh herbs and lemon provencale ratatouille and buttered rice

To finish

A miniature afternoon tea with a selection of hand-made cakes and desserts and a selection of fine teas served by Teas from the Manor

To drink

Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose Champagne, Rothchild sauvignon Blanc, Rothchild Pinot Noir. Vin de Pays D’OC Gironde France

Details

The Yellow Broom, Twemlow Green, nr Holmes Chapel CW4 8BL

01477 534048 www.yellowbroom.co.uk

Opening times:

Monday-Thursday 9.30am-6pm

Friday- 9.30am-late

Saturday - 10am-late

Sunday- 12noon-6pm

Lunch & dinner

Sandwiches from £5.95

Light lunch - starters from, £4.95; mains, from £8.95, puddings £6.95

Dinner

Starters from £6.95; mains from, £15,95; puddings £6.95

Yellow Broom Afternoon Tea, £15.95, includes a sandwich selection, freshly baked saffron and sultana scones with raspberry conserve and clotted cream a selection of handmade miniature cakes and biscuits and pot of tea. Champagne afternoon tea, £25