La Belle Vie, Ellesmere

Just when you think your home town can't get any better - a new bistro opens!

Ellesmere is a wonderful place in which to live, stunning countryside, excellent schools, great shops and people that are second to none, writes Sue Austin.

It also has a wealth of eateries, whether cafes, takeaways, restaurants or pubs, there seems to be something for everyone.

Now there is a new kid in town one that is certainly making an impression.

La Belle Vie arrived almost unannounced, opening in Ellesmere old town hall just a few weeks ago.

It became an overnight success, thanks to some clever marketing and an ambience that was new for the north Shropshire market town.

The summer opening meant La Belle Vie could announce its arrival with outdoor seating right in the heart of the town centre.

Its breakfasts became an immediate favourite with the town's teenagers enjoying their summer holidays while its Tuesday and Thursday specials attracted others from Ellesmere and beyond. I have enjoyed two of the Thursday special evenings now one with a large group of friends, the other with husband and daughter.

La Belle Vie has used the large, high ceiling town hall building to its best advantage. The decor is rich and opulent with burgundy paint, gold mirrors and picture frames adorning the walls, The bar is lit by lovely overhead Tiffany lampshades and the front of the restaurant has comfy sofa in the large windows overlooking the town.

Most evenings La Belle Vie has an a la carte menu.

But local people have already cottoned on to its Tuesday and Thursday night special offers.

On Tuesday night diners can enjoy a starter and a main course for £15 while on Thursdays three courses are £20 - both with a bottle of house white or house red for each customer.

During my last visit, with Sophie and Mel, we were pleased to be brought a basket of bread while we perused the menu, something we are used on the continent.

The starters pleased all three of us.

Mel went instantly for the broccoli and stilton soup while Sophie and I agreed we would have enjoyed any of the half a dozen choices. Eventually she went for calamari while I choose the smoked salmon with creme fraiche, salad and granary bread.

Mine was simple but really tasty with an excellent granary bread and oil and balsamic vinegar quickly brought to the table when I asked for salad dressing.

Again there were half a dozen choices for the main choice and Mel once again instantly found a favourite, sirloin steak and a peppercorn steak with chips, onion rings, peas, mushrooms and peas. Sophie was a little disappointed in the menu and eventually went for the vegetarian option, vegetarian lasagne with garlic bread and salad.

I was pleased when told I could have the steak with the salad and new potatoes that were offered with the fish dish and delighted when it arrived also with the mushrooms, onion rings and tomato! The steak was not enormous but the jug of delicious peppercorn sauce really made the meal and I was so glad I had asked for new potatoes.

The local young waiters and waitresses, were a joy, eager to please and in the few weeks between my two meals, increasingly professional.

Those free bottles of wine are a real draw for diners and it was good to see Sophie's white wine arrive in an ice bucket, cleverly attached to the side of the table. She is a rose drinker but enjoyed her white Pinot Grigio while our Merlot went down very well although the wild, windy night meant Mel decided not to leave the car in town and walk home but just have one glass of wine and even I can't drink one and three quarter bottles of red!

However the wine waiter had impressed on us that the screw topped bottles meant we could take home what we didn't drink and his suggestion that we leave one unopened was much appreciated.

Sadly as too often in taste tests, the dessert just didn't live up to the rest of the meal. Sophie really enjoyed her hot chocolate fudge cake but to be honest the strawberry cheesecake Mel and I had is better not being talked about at all. I am very glad that I had had a different cheesecake on the previous visit, which was much better.

I hope that strawberry cheesecake is a teething problem. Ellesmere really is becoming the place to go for its pubs and restaurants.

ADDRESS

La Belle Vie, Old Town Hall, The Square, Ellesmere SY12 0EP

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Spicy Thai meatballs with a chilli and lemongrass sauce (£4.95); Whitebait with salad and lemon mayonnaise (£3.95); Pate with toast and red onion jam (£3.95)

MAIN COURSES

Salmon fillet on a bed of Mediterranean vegetables (£9.95); Cumberland sausage with mash, onion gravy and roast vegetables (£11.95); Goat's Cheese Salad with peppers and balsamic syrup (£7.95); Tuna steak with citrus butter with new potatoes and salad (£11.95)

DESSERTS

Daily changes

ATMOSPHERE

Bistro style with a busy feel

SERVICE

Young and friendly staff eager to please

DISABLED FACILITIES

A ramp on the side of the premises