Adam Ain't Cooking

This time last year, there wasn't even a building standing here! Coast To Coast is the newest addition to Bolton's Middlebrook Retail Park, and has had the good fortune of having a unit built especially for them between Pizza Hut and McDonalds, where there was formerly some parking that wasn't used very much.

As you approach the restaurant, it's nice to see that they have a stylish and pleasant outdoor seating area which I can see being popular in summer. A nice touch is that the pots on the tables are actually fresh rosemary plants which smell great.

When you walk into the restaurant itself, it definitely has a "wow" factor. It's very stylishly decorated in dark woods, padding, and with theatrical lighting and spotlights to give it a nicer atmosphere, very much in a New York Loft style. The decoration is very focussed on its American theming, with wall boxes containing artifacts and pictures of different US States. Even the toilets are bright, stylish, and pleasant.

The seating is split into different areas and a bar area, there are standard tables, tall tables, and cosy booths, all padded in blacks, deep blues, and reds. The condiments on the table tell you ahead of time that you're in for a good quality trip. High quality vinegar, Tabasco, and Budweiser BBQ Sauce (delicious!) with tactile salt and pepper shakers have you ready for the experience.

The menu is extensive, expensive, and very tempting! I say expensive, as it's a bit more than the average cost in the area, (their cheapest burger is £10.45), but they have some really good weekday lunch offers where you can really get a good deal compared to the main evening menu.

Our server was a pleasant guy called Joel who told us about the specials, things not available, and his personal recommendations. He was friendly and professional through our visit, attempting to up-sell a few times (sides, desserts etc) but without being obnoxious or pushy about it.

We ordered from the lunch menu, and chose to start with the loaded skins and the battered mushrooms.

These didn't take long to arrive, and were absolutely superb. The battered mushrooms weren't little button mushrooms like the usual offerings, but big mushrooms, in a perfectly crispy batter! The potato skins were loaded with cheese and BBQ Pulled Pork, which was mind blowing! I've not had pulled pork in a loaded skin before, and the flavour and texture was sublime. I didn't even need to touch that mayonnaise! It's a nice point to notice that the dishes are prepared so their logo is at the top of the plate, and facing the customer, almost like a piece of artwork.

For our mains we went for the classic cheeseburger and the southern fried chicken burger.

Once again, these were nicely presented. We both chose different fries as our accompaniments. The normal fries were nice but nothing amazing, however the sweet potato fries were crispy, delicious, and morish! I'd definitely get those next time! The cheeseburger was juicy and meaty, and perfectly cooked. The southern fried chicken burger had the most perfect crunch, and was seasoned just right without turning into the pepper-fest that so many chicken dishes fall into.

We didn't order dessert (we were stuffed!), but Joel told us about how his favourite dessert was the warm fudge brownie, (complete with "mmm! nom nom nom!" after describing it).

The food was very good, particularly given the lunchtime price. I'm not sure I'd be as happy with the price if it was the full evening cost, but as somewhere to come for a special occasion now and then, Coast To Coast delivers, even if it's not somewhere you'd go as often as some of the other cheaper chain restaurant options on the leisure park. However, I can see those other restaurants quaking in their boots a bit, as Coast To Coast is doing what they're doing, but better, and may steal their customers!

The service is really superb, from the host greeting you at the door, to the server, and even the folks bringing the food out to your table if your server is busy. We felt taken care of, and looked after. It didn't feel like we were just another bill, and we didn't have to crane ourselves about looking for staff.

I'd dine here again. It'd be great for a birthday or anniversary visit. There's much more I'd like to try from that menu! I have my eye on the sliders...