The Parlour Review: For Families

Kids Confidential rating: 11/15
Family-friendly service 4/5, Facilities 3/5, Kids Food 4/5

ALAS the queen was not in The Parlour on our visit but everyone else was, or so it seemed.

If you haven't been to The Parlour yet, I suggest you go.  Bring the kids for a family lunch or an early dinner. It's a relaxing and welcoming place with pleasant staff.  

A busy afternoon and every table was occupied.  Timing is everything, so punctual people say.  On this occasion we timed ourselves perfectly as on our arrival a small group were leaving and an empty table beckoned us over.

The Parlour in Chorlton is a great place to drink in the evenings. I have been lucky enough to find out for myself on a number of occasions, when taking advantage of visiting grandparents and exploiting their free babysitting service. But I haven't had a chance to call in when armed with my three year old who has enough excess energy to sell to the national grid. Today is D-day.

It's a comfy place with its wooden chairs and tables, splashes of worn red leather and old lamps on the window sills. An involuntary sigh escapes as I take off my coat and sit down. The seats still warm from its last occupant, a slightly unnerving sensation – a bit too familiar for me. Maybe they've installed fancy seat warmers. Maybe not.

There's a mixed bunch of people here; a sprinking of students, a few family groups, a couple of couples not to mention the obligatory ex-band members, a little older and a little rounder then they were in their prime.

There isn't a kids menu but you can order any of the dishes from the main menu in child size portions. We asked for fish fingers and chips (£4), which wasn't on the menu but was worth a stab.  Our chirpy waiter happily agreed.  Flexibility goes a long way when you have a pernickerty minor in tow. 

The grown-ups ordered a fish finger sandwich (£4.75) and fried eggs and chips (£5).

Despite the obvious bustling restaurant, the food arrived quickly.  All dishes were good. Fish fingers had a light, crunchy batter, the fluffy fat chips were tasty and doubled up as building blocks for James, much to his delight.  It was only when he started a game of chip Jenga I had to call time on his fun. I'd had enough of picking soggy chips out of my drink.

If you haven't been to The Parlour yet, I suggest you go. Bring the kids for a family lunch or an early dinner. It's a relaxing and welcoming place with pleasant staff.  It's also a great place to people watch. The laid back approach works well, especially when you have children with you.  All this is accompanied by good background music: a definite bonus.

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The Parlour
66 Beech Road
Chorlton
M21 9EG
Tel: 0161 881 4871