Farina Ristorante - Pizzeria
21 The Downs,
Altrincham WA14 2QD

She Who Must Be Obeyed joined me for a Saturday evening dinner in Altrincham. We went to a relatively new Italian restaurant on the Downs called Farina. It has opened on the site of the former Juniper restaurant.

It is multi-national in that Farina is owned by a Sicilian, has a Polish waitress called Agnes and a French chef called Gilles.

We arrived without a reservation at 7.30 and were warmly welcomed by Agnes, who took our coats and seated us. I believe we were fortunate as the place was full by 8.00.

Farina was seasonally decorated and there was a Christmas menu, a Specials Board (a favourite of mine) and a la’carte to choose from; so plenty of selection here. I ordered a bottle of Peroni and SOMBO a half carafe of house red.

SOMBO ordered chicken livers to start which were cooked to perfection. I had minestrone soup and this was nearly my undoing. It was piping hot, thick, tasty and there was lots of it. After a bowl of this, I didn’t really need anything more to eat.

But someone had to do it and I had a sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce. SOMBO had duck breast with a Grand Marnier sauce. Both were served with hot, fresh vegetables and were excellent.

For pudding we shared lovely profiteroles and chocolate sauce and I had a frothy cappucino.

Then something happened that doesn’t happen nearly enough; the French chef, Gilles, came out of the kitchen and into the dining area to ask his customers whether they had enjoyed their dinner. Now this is the marque of a good chef.

There was a wonderful, festive atmosphere in the restaurant. The food was excellent and the service was prompt and friendly. The bill came to a very reasonable £50. This is the best dinner I have had in Altrincham this year.  

Will we return?

Absolutely!

Our verdict

Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Value for Money: 9/10