Byline: GINA SYKES
* FAMILY FRIENDLY: The High Park is split into sections so you can dine with or without children. There is also the added attraction of the Playzone play gym, below (JH280711Chigh-01/03/05)Mum had warm Bramley apple pie and ice cream (pounds 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 (pounds 3.89).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 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.My mum, Marjorie, had Minted Lamb Shank (pounds 9.29), slowly cooked on the bone in mint gravy and served on a bed of mashed potato with fresh vegetables.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!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.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.The bill The 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 pounds 85.65 for six including drinks (25% off food Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6.30pm) Would you go back? Definitely Feedback Send your eating out experiences to Feedback, Features Department, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Pennine Business Park, Longbow Close, Bradley Road, Huddersfield, HD2 1GQ, or email letters@examiner.co.uk and head your message FeedbackIt 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.CAPTION(S):Her meal - which she said she could recommend - was Smoked Haddock Florentine (pounds 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.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 (pounds 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.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 (pounds 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 (pounds 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.But I soon discovered the restaurant is very close to our building on Pennine Business Park at Bradley Road.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 (pounds 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 (pounds 3.99); and Chicken Liver Pate (pounds 4.25) which came with warm toast, caramelised red onion chutney and butter.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.UNTIL the Examiner moved to its new offices in Bradley, I had never heard of the High Park.A colleague laughed when I contemplated taking the car. It's just by that tree, he said, pointing out of the window.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.For the main course, both Peter and I decided on an 8oz rump steak (pounds 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 pounds 1.50 extra, but was a very worthwhile addition. Peter had the same sauce with chips and a dressed side salad.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 (pounds 3.79).
* FAMILY FRIENDLY: The High Park is split into sections so you can dine with or without children. There is also the added attraction of the Playzone play gym, below (JH280711Chigh-01/03/05)