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Barristers restaurant and bar: an arresting location
We stopped off at Barristers Restaurant and Bar in the pretty town of Knutsford in Cheshire for a well-earned lunch after driving down from Glasgow. What was Knutsford Magistrates Court is now a fine-looking restaurant, bar, wedding venue and now a hotel as well! No leg irons, jurors or wig clad magistrates here, now it's cocktails, a roof garden and delicious food. Did you know Knutsford Magistrates Court was where Prof Alan Turing was tried ( Find out more about his life here)?
The building is impressive, not surprisingly dominating the local area. Outside is landscaped with tables and chairs dotted throughout the beer garden.
Interior
You really can't miss that this was once a courthouse. Order a cocktail from the dock and sit down for dinner where the jurors once sat.
Theres a half reverent, half light hearted look at the history of the building. Various celebrity mugshots from those who have veered on the wrong side of the law adorn the walls. Pay close attention for a few entertaining choices...
Like Preston from the Wallace & Gromit movie, A Close Shave!
Barristers lunch menu
From sandwiches to fish & chips via champagne afternoon tea. There was a lot on offer. We decide on a couple of sandwiches with Mr Foodie plumping for a half of UnNamed by Mobberley Brew House. A murky, hoppy beer with lots of zesty orange and grapefruit flavour.
Provenance
The Courthouse ensures that a number of the items on the menu come from the local vicinity.
The food
A club sandwich (£9) for Mr Foodie and a pastrami and sauerkraut (£6.50) for me.
We thought we were going for the lighter option! The club sandwich came toasted with thick chicken, bacon, lettuce, avocado mayonnaise, confit onions and was topped with a huge fried egg.
The pastrami and sauerkraut sandwich was another belter. Lots of what looked like home-made pastrami with sauerkraut, dill pickle and melted cheese. Good thick bread filled with tart goodies. We hadn't eaten since leaving Glasgow but still had no room for pudding!
The bedrooms weren't open when we visited but had they been and I would have gladly stumbled along for a nap after my sandwich!
Seven bowler hats hang in the corridor in respect to the seven people hanged outside the court..!
In the toilets, the atmosphere is more light-hearted.
Verdict
👍
Friendly service in impressive, historic surroundings. The location is great for sightseeing and for a pit stop whilst travelling through the area. If we'd known that Knutsford was so nice we'd have stayed a bit longer, the Knutsford Heritage Centre has a massive tapestry too! Toilets clean and looked after. There's space for 40 cars in the car park, Knutsford train station is just a 2-minute walk away and Manchester airport isn't far either, should you want to stop here on the way there.
So, our judgement...most definitely guilty of filling our bellies! Great to see local craft brews on tap too!
TL:DR+ Tasty filling food
+ Good service
+ Historic, well-maintained building
+ Local produce prominently displayed
- Nothing obvious to criticise
Location
The Courthouse Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PB
Contact
Tel: +44 01565 743 333
Email: [email protected]
Website https://thecourthousecheshire.com
Opening Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 11pm
(last orders for food 9:30pm)
Friday & Saturday: 9am - 12pm
(last orders for food 10:00pm)
Sunday: 9am - 7pm
(last orders for food 7:00pm)
Disclaimer: we received a complimentary lunch but Fred judges (hah) this to be a fair and balanced review.
