A NEW bistro has set sail in Northwich, with a home-cooked food offering looking to rival Cheshire's best restaurants.

Diners are already flocking to The Boat Yard, in Northwich, which is nestled in a picturesque waterside spot in Manchester Road.

The bistro is setting itself apart in Cheshire's thriving restaurant offering, with a focus on locally-sourced, high-quality food and drink.

Bradley Bates, the man at the helm of The Boat Yard, told the Guardian: "It's a bistro rather than a pub.

"We're specialising in home-cooked meals, using quality ingredients, and the food is as fresh as it gets.

"It's not fast food – we take our time to make sure the meals are right, and that means it is better when it comes to your table.

"The wine list is set by DeFine Wines in Sandiway, we have a quality beer choice with some quirky bottles of IPA, and the food is all from local producers."

Having opened just last week, Bradley knows it is probably too late for Christmas parties to be held at his new bistro.

But group bookings are being welcomed with open arms, and The Boat House is already proving a hit with groups who have their own culinary requests.

"We have been more concerned about trying to get the job right than to rush open before Christmas," he said.

"We have taken our time and while we are under the impression that we are maybe too late for Christmas parties, we are accommodating groups for functions.

"Of course we have our regular menu offering, but we are more than willing to accommodate as many people as possible. We've had a booking where we made a vegetarian balti that we probably wouldn't put on a menu, while a group has asked for hot pots.

"If people want something in particular, come in and talk to us, and we'll be happy to go down that road."

For more information about The Boat Yard call 01606 333282, or visit the bistro's Facebook page.