La Popote

This small family-owned French bistro is tucked away in pretty Marton, near Macclesfield. Heavily influenced by classical French cooking, the owner of La Popote is Dutch, his wife Scottish and their first restaurants were in South Africa. But the blend of influences works.

The building is a converted barn. Walking in through the front door, there’s a wood burning stove, low beams and lashings of vintage china. The room is small, maybe 25 covers, spanking clean with white linen tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table.

Mains are so French it hurts. Think crispy duck confit with red onion marmalade, or lobster thermidor, or entrecote with herbed Café de Paris butter and pommes frites.

Desserts could include tarte tatin ‘Normandy’ and a quirky ‘Drunk Elephant’ pudding (airy apricot sponge with Amarula liqueur) harking back to the owners’ South African roots .

The wine list is cute and great value with fine choices among the champagnes and clarets. New World wines are a bargain.

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