Juniper, Altrincham

We went for the special chefs menu one of our guests did not eat fish. Instead of giving that guest a different dish we all had no fish. I felt this was very poor. Two guests did not eat cheese so non of the guests got cheese. I found this not acceptable. We thought that the chefs' motives behind his special menu was good but it seemed he lacked imagination to give a variety of food, catering for all tastes and allowing for the minority to dictate to the majority.

However we had a good night and the food we had was great.

Juniper has had a Michelin star for ten years, which takes some doing. So it must have something going for it. When you arrive it looks like nothing from the outside. In fact, it could be described as a little shabby. On entry, you go downstairs into a basement, where you can have a drink whilst looking at the menu. This area is spotless, perhaps clinically so!!! You then go upstairs to the immaculate, but a bit small, dining area...

The food is, as you would expect, to die for. Seldom will you have tasted anything like this, unless you are the rich and famous. Don't go for the Gourmand Menu though - its tempting because it has about 7 or 8 courses, and it is tempting because you can have almost a bit of everything, but what you end up with is too many tastes and flavours and not enough to enjoy the one you really liked.

All in all, for the ordinary man on the street, this is one to save for VERY, VERY special occasions, but if you only go once in a lifetime, it's well worth it. If you're going to buy wine, don't expect the usual house red though.......will double your bill if not careful.