Last weekend we continued one of our favourite little traditions: celebrating Alex’s birthday with a Michelin-star restaurant visit. It’s something we started a few years ago and it’s quietly become one of those annual rituals we both look forward to. Not because it’s about doing something “fancy” (well maybe a little bit), but because it gives us a reason to properly stop, dress up, and spend an evening doing nothing other than enjoying great food, great wine, and time together.
This year we chose Northcote in Lancashire, and it was everything we hoped it would be.
It was one of those properly wintry evenings too, the kind where the air feels sharp and everything outside seems a little quieter than usual. When we arrived it was already cold, but as the night went on the snow really started to fall, and by the time we were deep into the meal it felt like we were in our own little bubble of warmth and calm while the world outside turned into a snow globe. It was incredibly romantic in the best, simplest way.
There’s something about arriving somewhere like Northcote that instantly changes your pace. The moment you walk in, you can feel the calm confidence of the place. It’s refined without feeling stiff, luxurious without feeling showy. You’re welcomed warmly, properly looked after, and you immediately get the sense that the rest of the evening is going to run smoothly, without you having to think about anything at all.
We started with cocktails, which felt like the perfect beginning to a celebratory meal. Beautifully made, perfectly balanced, and served with that extra bit of care that makes it feel like more than “just a drink”. And then we had one of those moments that instantly relaxes you into the evening: as our waiter was placing the drinks onto a tray at the bar, they slipped and dropped. For a split second it was that universal “oh no!” moment, but it was handled so calmly and professionally that it almost became part of the theatre of it all. The best part was that it meant we got to watch the barman remake them again, completely unflustered, with the kind of quiet expertise you only see when someone is genuinely brilliant at what they do. If anything, it made us appreciate the craft behind them even more.
One of the reasons we love Michelin-star dining so much is the tasting menu experience itself. When you order à la carte, you tend to gravitate toward the same decisions you always make: the safe favourite, the thing you know you’ll enjoy, something that feels familiar. A tasting menu pulls you out of that routine completely. You’re not choosing based on instinct or habit, and you’re not comparing options in your head. You’re simply taken on the journey the kitchen wants you to experience.
It becomes less like eating a meal and more like being guided through a series of moments, each one designed to show something different, whether that’s a flavour combination you wouldn’t naturally pick, an ingredient used in a surprising way, or a texture you don’t encounter often. It makes the whole evening feel more immersive, and somehow more memorable, because you’re constantly being nudged slightly outside your usual choices.
The five course menu at Northcote was exactly that. Everything felt intentional. Each course arrived at the right pace, beautifully presented, with flavours that were confident and perfectly balanced. Nothing felt heavy too early, nothing repeated itself, and every plate had its own little “oh wow” moment, whether it was the depth of flavour, the contrast between elements, or just how effortlessly it all came together.
We also went for the wine flight, which elevated the whole experience even further. It’s such a small detail on paper, but it makes a huge difference. There’s something really satisfying about having each glass chosen specifically to work with what’s on the plate. Sometimes it complements and enhances, sometimes it cuts through and refreshes, sometimes it adds a completely different note that you don’t realise the dish needs until you taste it.
What made it even better was the sommelier, who guided us through each wine with real warmth and expertise. It never felt intimidating or overly formal, just genuinely helpful and interesting. I wasn’t particularly keen on one of the wines (it happens), and he was brilliant about it. No awkwardness, no pressure to pretend I loved it. He just made sure I didn’t miss out by keeping an eye on my glass and then topping me up a little more generously with the next wine so I could properly enjoy the pairing. It’s such a small thing, but it really stayed with me, because it sums up what great service actually is: thoughtful, personal, and completely effortless.
What stood out most for us though, and what really defines places like Northcote, was the service overall. It was genuinely superb. Attentive without being intrusive, polished without being over-formal, and delivered with warmth throughout. Everything felt seamless: the timing, the explanations, the way you’re looked after without ever feeling fussed over. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it, but it’s one of those things that makes the evening feel smooth and unhurried, like you can just settle in and let it unfold.
By the time we finished, the snowfall outside had properly set in. It was beautiful to watch from the warmth of the restaurant, but stepping out into it afterwards was a different story. The taxi journey back to the hotel was a little treacherous, with the roads getting worse by the minute. Still, it somehow made the whole evening feel even more memorable.
By the end of it all, it felt like we’d done exactly what we’d set out to do: celebrate properly, make it feel special, and create another one of those memories we’ll look back on later and smile about.
That’s the real reason this tradition has stuck. Once a year we give ourselves an excuse to do something that feels like a genuine treat. No rushing. No distractions. Just an evening of beautiful food, brilliant drinks, and the kind of hospitality that reminds you how good it feels to slow down and savour something properly.
Northcote delivered all of that, and more. And now, of course, the only question is where we go next year.