Portobello in West Lancashire

Had a brilliant night Food and service was amazing Totally enjoyed it

A “Meh” experience behind the stars. This review is based on our 3 Michelin star dining experience - which, honestly, felt very mid. We went for the evening menu with the prestige wine pairing, hoping for something special. It started off underwhelming with bar snacks and cocktails, a Negroni and an old fashioned at £18 each (not including 12.5% service charge). I could’ve made a better one at home. The drink was diluted within minutes thanks to a handful of ice cubes instead of a proper, well thought out single block. If you’re going to charge nearly £20, at least consult a decent mixologist. Our table placement didn’t help matters. We were seated against a wall, far from the main energy of the restaurant, with blinding overhead lights and zero atmosphere. About an hour later, more guests arrived, including a table positioned directly opposite ours. Thanks to the awkward layout, we ended up locked in an unintentional staring contest all evening. It was uncomfortable and honestly quite bizarre for a restaurant of this calibre. Let’s talk about the espresso. £10 for a single shot. Sure, a markup is expected in fine dining, but this felt borderline insulting. When we asked why it was so expensive, hoping for some insight into the beans or process, the response was simply: “Yeah, it’s the coffee we use.” Not exactly the thoughtful explanation you’d expect at this level. The food? Good. Great presentation and lots of attention to detail, but no single dish stood out and at this level, there really should be a standout moment. That’s part of what you’re paying for. A small but telling detail: we weren’t served by a single woman the entire time, and I only spotted one in the kitchen. It’s 2025, this feels outdated and disappointing. We shared our feedback after the meal, but it didn’t feel like they were particularly interested. When we mentioned that we expected more from a 3 Michelin star experience, the response was along the lines of, “It’s hard to live up to expectations.” Not exactly reassuring. In the end, it was the atmosphere that really let the whole evening down. With so many Michelin starred options in the area, I’d suggest trying somewhere else first. I won’t be returning to Moor Hall.