Celebrated my mothers 40th at mjs last year and had an amazing night. Food was fantastic and staff were very friendly. Since our first visit we have been to mjs to celebrate 4 birthdays and a wedding! Overall experience = AMAZING,,
Joyce
First discovered MJ's at a 'Christmas do' (always a good way to judge restaurants as they tend to be 'much of a muchness'. It turned out to be one of the best I have ever been to with superb food, excellent service and a live band who judged what their audience wanted and went for it! Have been a few times since and everything has always been first class. Hoping to go soon for my special birthday and special anniversary combined.
Cherub
Went last night. We were the only people in . Service appalling - didn't get a cocktail I ordered and the wine with the meal didn;t come until we were half way through. It took two and a half hours from beginning to end. Far too long. Food OK but overpriced. not good value for money. Not enough staff on. Sorry.
Ashleigh Kingsmill
Dined at the weekend, WOW!! A fantastic new menu so innovative, fresh and just amazing. We were told the chef had changed and you could tell, congrats to him! The chick pea burger was yummy, and the whole fresh fish of the day (bream) was the best fish i've had in a long time! I think this new chef is about to put Darwen on the map!!!
Paul Pickup
Went here for Sunday lunch over the weekend. I dine out on a regular basis and will travel a distance for a good restaurant - I cannot believe that this restaurant is on my doorstep and I have only only just found out about it.
The food was excellent and the beef was memorable for all the right reasons. The service was friendly and hospitable. The restaurant design is very stylish - a complete contrast to next door.
My only small critiscm was that the red wine was slightly on the cold side other than night we had a perfect Sunday with friends and I look forward to my next visit.
Mrs Julie Aspin
Enjoyed a fantastic meal at MJs for our silver wedding anniversary 17th Sept. 2008 the food just melted in the mouth Steve the chef was excellent as was the food, service and cost. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys fine food.
Muddy
We have been to mjs a few times before and went again last Saturday. It is good to see it getting busier each time we go. When we went the service was good. The food was, as is always excellent, we had red mullet, the black pudding and goats cheese fritter 2 excellent sirloins and a liquorice parfait, and its nice that Steve (the chef) takes a tour of the tables to make sure everything is ok. Our visit was made even better when we got an mjs loyalty card. We will be back time after time. Its GREAT!!
Dan
I have visited MJ's restaurant a number of times and the fact that i keep going back tells you what i think of it. I thought it was about time i let the whole world know just how good this place is.
The whole restaurant has a very nice feel to it with the decoration and design very modern. There are lots of nice touches such as large fish tanks embedded into the wall with fancy fish swimming around.
The service as you walk in is second to none with the kind staff offering to take your coat and then get your drinks in for you while you take a seat on the comfy, modern chairs.
The Menu is superb with lots of choice and for what you get, the price is simply excellent.
I always believe that a restaurant has to have good service to win me over, and MJ's certainly has that and on top of that the food is delicious! The corn-fed chicken is a personal favourite of mine.
As well as excellent food, the presentation of the food is also second to none. Not only does the food taste great, it looks the part too! The meal has not been thrown together in the kitchen and rushed to your table, a great deal of thought has gone into it!
MJ's is certainly the best restaurant in the area as far as im concerned and i know i have not eaten there for the last time! I would absolutely recommend it to anyone!
redders
As a new contemporary restaurant in Darwen I suppose you could say that I'd taken a risk booking here for my mum's 60th. But I just knew it would be a triumph for Neil and the team - and it was. The food was outstanding, the service friendly and interesting (thanks you for waiters with a repertoire outside of - 'here is your table, would you like to see the menu'), the setting brilliant (if your partner stares over your shoulder in a vague fashion he isn't bored he is fascinated by the fishtank), the pricing fair. This is a hidden gem in Darwen and I challenge anyone not to have a fabulous night out - whatever the occasion. You will also find yourself 'thinking Lancashire' and taking some of the passion of the chef with you into your own kitchen. My mum, my nan, and all their friends have made return visits since our celebration evening and are passing on the good word to everyone they know. You too can do the same!
ste&lynds
Mothers day triumph My future mother in law dropped in subtle hints as to where she wanted taking out on mothers day, thus we came to the Whitehall hotel. Upon enquiring about the menu I was pleasantly surprised as to the standard of food on offer and even more impressed with the price. Upon arriving at the hotel we were greeted by the manager and escorted to the lounge where we were seated on very comfy 'chesterfields' in front of a roaring fire. The wine waiter then came over with a glass of bucks fizz and canapes. Shortly followed by the manager with the menu and wine list. At this point i really began to relax confident that the day was going to be a success. I went for the smoked salmon and crab salad followed by roast leg of lamb stuffed with garlic and rosemary. My partner went for the goats cheese fritter and roast topside of beef with yorkshire pudding. Mum went for cream of celeriac soup and seared salmon. The wine list on offer was comprehensive and well thought out and extremely fairly priced. After much deliberation i went for a bottle of Australian chardonnay. The head waiter then came to escort us to our seats, on first impressions the hotel looks homely and well kept but is very deceiving on size as the room into which we were being escorted was huge, obviously their banqueting hall. There must have been 100 people there. The wine arrived chilled, the food was very tasty. My starters was delicious and my companions commented on the tastiness of theirs. Main course arrived piping hot the lamb seemed to just melt in my mouth, the vegetables also very tasty and cooked to perfection. Feeling very full and not much of a desserts man i just could not resist the white chocolate and raspberry creme brulee. My partner opted for the Baileys parfait, her mum the fresh strawberry pavlova. Followed by freshly brewed coffee and mints. Overall i thought the food delightful, the staff attentive and the building delightful. The whole ambiance was settling, there seemed to be a calm but purposeful air about the place. I even forgot about the match. Excellent.... i will definitely be returning if Sunday lunch was this good i can not wait to try the dinner menu. Whitehall.... i will be back.
