Ramsons Restaurant, Ramsbottom

Gosh - where to start!!

We booked a reservation in "the hideaway" where you don't choose your food, its a fixed menu. I have no problem with that. Bizzarely the courses were served on one normal sized portion plate then put in the middle for a couple to share, although a rather unconventional way to serve the food, it was very nice but the presentation was poor.

We went with another couple, one of whom ordered a very nice bottle of wine (be careful here - if the owner asks you if you prefer something better than the house wine he will choose a mega expensive bottle with no warning of the price.) Unfortunately this bottle of wine was off. The owner came to the table to taste it or rather "smell" it first. He did so by pressing one side of his nostril on the bottle top and taking a deep whiff. This may be how you do it at a wine tasting session but very off putting in a professional setting. After agreeing that it was off he brought us another bottle and repeated the nostril process which was just cringeworthy, not to mention un-hygenic. The comedy moment of the evening was catching him instruct his staff to save the "off bottle" motioning to put a cork in it - we could see this in the glass of the picture opposite us as he exited up the stairs.

The wine episode had obviously upset the owner "Chris" who became more and more agitated throughout the evening. This culminated in him verbally insulting both myself and my husband who afterwards admitted to "confusing us with another couple" apparently, he told the friends we came with who are frequent diners there that he thought my husband was someone else and that i was his secretary and my husband had a drink problem. What a strange man. I left adamant that i will never go there again which is a shame as it has a lovely ambience, (if you remove the owner) and the staff are obviously well trained and the food is of a good quality. My advice - go the The Toby in Edgworth, it may not be as "refined" but you will get a fantastic meal every time and the service and atmosphere are excellent.

This is a pretentious place filled with lots of promise which fails to deliver. If you want to be treated like dirt on your special evening out while spending a fortune - go for it.!

Have left my name AND PHONE NUMBER 5 times on ans machine and no-one gets back to me.They must be so busy and dont need new customers.

Lucky people.

Surprised to see such low review scores for a restaurant with such an excellent reputation. I've been once and enjoyed the experience - there's no point complaining about small portions at this kind of restaurant - if you want a decent hearty meal, go to the Shoulder (just up the road). At Ramsons and the like it's all about the fine dining experience - beautiful food cooked to perfection - you savour it you don't wolf it down. Despite the small portions I left feeling satisfied because I really took my time and enjoyed the meal.

The quality of the cooking was top class but the portions were miniscule. My friend had quite the smallest piece of fish as a main course that I have ever seen on a plate. It was the size of a packet of twenty cigarettes but half the thickness. We were both driving so decided on a glass of white wine each, the proprietor, Chris Johnson, said would you like a house wine by the glass or something just a little bit better. Those were his exact words. First mistake we were not told the price or indeed did we ask. The wine was beautiful a quality Soave. Second mistake we asked for a second glass each. Total coat for four glasses of wine £39.60 with no guide as to what you would be paying. This is not the first time this sharp practice has been proffered others have been related to me by other diners. Be honest Mr Johnson or you will soon disappear without trace.

Friendly staff and decent service but portions way too small & prices way too expensive.

Left feeling hungrier than when I entered.

Would never return.

pre ten tious (pr-tnshs)

adj.

1. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.