UNTIL the Examiner moved to its new  offices in Bradley, I had never heard  of the High Park.

But I soon discovered the restaurant is very close to  our building on Pennine Business Park at Bradley  Road.

A colleague laughed when I contemplated taking  the car. It’s just by that tree, he said, pointing out of  the window.

Some journalists had already been for a reporter’s  birthday celebration. Others had gone for a light  lunch.

Everyone seemed to like it, so I decided it  was time to give it a try for a full meal.

The High Park is set in a lovely leafy part of  Huddersfield and, as I approached the restaurant, I  was impressed by a large patio area at the front.  This features smart tables and chairs for alfresco  dining, creating a real holiday atmosphere.

There were six of us in my party, and we hadn’t  booked a table so I was keeping my fingers crossed  that we would manage to get in.  We turned up at  5.30pm on a Friday and, although it was already  quite busy, we didn’t have a problem. 

Our group included my three-year-old daughter  Natasha, so it was important that the restaurant  was child friendly and I soon discovered that this  was very much the case.  The large dining area is  split into two sections – one for adults and the other  for families with children.

Before we were shown to our table I was given a  ticket for free entry to the restaurant’s Playzone, a  play gym in a separate room not far from where we  were seated. Husband Peter and I took it  in turns to  take Natasha there between courses. She was in her  element!

We generally shun children’s menus in restaurants as  being too unhealthy, and order smaller portions of  what we are eating or ask for a spare plate and  share our food with Natasha.  But the Kids’ Menu at  the High Park was better than any I have seen. 

It featured the usual chicken nuggets and beef  burger, but there was also roast chicken and organic  spaghetti bolognese and macaroni cheese.  We went  for roast chicken with carrots and peas from the  choice of vegetables.  We could have had mashed or  jacket potato, but we opted for chips.

We all had a starter. I decided on one from the  Specials Menu which was pan-fried garlic  mushrooms served with a slice of garlic ciabatta cut  into two (£3.99).  The chopped mushrooms were  served in a bowl sitting on an oval plate with the  ciabatta, which complemented the mushrooms  perfectly. We all went for something different but  nothing was too much for our friendly waitress,  Pippa, who regularly checked that everything was  satisfactory throughout the meal. Our choices  included King Prawn Cocktail (£3.99), which  matched its description on the menu of plump king  prawns arranged on a bed of mixed leaves, topped  with prawn cocktail sauce.  It was served with  multi-grain brown bread, which was the thick  farmhouse variety.

Other dishes served to our table were Garlic King  Prawns with strips of red pepper, pan-fried in garlic  butter and served with slices of crispy baguette  (£4.69); Hand-Made Duck Spring Rolls filled with  shredded duck, hoisin sauce and spring onion with  a dressed salad garnish and hoisin sauce for dipping  (£3.99); and Chicken Liver Pate (£4.25) which came  with warm toast, caramelised red onion chutney  and butter.

For the main course, both Peter and I decided on an  8oz rump steak (£9.59), which I asked to be well  done and Peter wanted medium rare. I had my steak  with a generous portion of rich and creamy mashed  potato.  I also requested vegetables – which on this  particular day we were told were carrots and  cauliflower – and a green peppercorn and Cognac  sauce.  The sauce was £1.50 extra, but was a very  worthwhile addition.  Peter had the same sauce with  chips and a dressed side salad.

My mum, Marjorie, had Minted Lamb Shank  (£9.29), slowly cooked on the bone in mint gravy  and served on a bed of mashed potato  with fresh vegetables.

She was full of compliments for her  meal, which she described as delicious  and the meat as very tender.  She asked  for extra mint sauce, which quickly  arrived in  a small pot.

The meal caught the eye of  mother-in-law Wendy, who said she  would definitely go for the lamb next  time. 

When she was already talking  about next time I knew she must be  enjoying herself.

Her  meal – which she said she could  recommend – was Smoked Haddock  Florentine (£7.59), smoked haddock  and spinach in a rich cheese sauce  topped with West Country cheddar.

Father-in-law Francis, who had the  same, said the cheesy flavour of the  sauce was spot on.

Francis also commented on the good  choice of desserts and, of course, in the interests of  a varied review we all had to have one.  After  everything we had eaten, my companions were  surprised at my choice, which was  Three Mini  Puddings with custard (£3.79). 

I had treacle sponge, sticky toffee and lemon and  ginger. They were wonderful but, I admit, very  filling. Peter’s dessert was Chocolate Rocky Road  (£3.79), featuring  a  base of crisp chocolate biscuit  crumbs  and truffles, sprinkled with mini  marshmallows, chocolate-coated honeycomb pieces  and toffee sauce served with double cream or  clotted cream ice cream.  Again, this is not for  someone with a dainty appetite.

Mum had warm Bramley apple pie and ice cream  (£3.89), and Wendy ordered Caramelita, a smooth  caramel ice cream with caramel pieces,Vanilla  Dream ice cream, fresh whipped cream drizzled  with toffee sauce, and sugar curls (£3.89).

Francis had an Espresso Cup (£2.99), probably a  more sensible choice after a big meal.  The cup  contained a light raspberry ripple mousse with a  couple of fresh raspberries on top. Natasha had a  Cookie Cup (£1.69) filled with a choice of  strawberry, chocolate or vanilla ice cream with mini  marshmallows and strawberry or chocolate sauce.

We all left the restaurant with smiles on our faces  and, in the car on the way home, Natasha summed  up very concisely what we were all thinking:  “That  was yummy.”

The bill

High Park

Bradley Road,
Huddersfield, HD2 1PZ

Tel 01484 534226 

Website www.eating-inn.co.uk

Opening hours Daily 11am-11pm 

Children Yes

Disabled access Yes. Wheelchair access, plus disabled toilet

The bill £86.65 for six including one child (25% off food Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6.30pm)

Would you go back?  Definitely