Review: The Lime Lounge

The Lime Lounge really is a little gem of a restaurant. In an enviable location in Margaret’s Buildings, tucked away between The Circus and The Royal Crescent, it is close enough to the main drag to be easily accessible and yet far enough away to make you feel as if you’ve discovered a hidden treasure.

The first time I visited was for breakfast – they run a promotion from Monday to Friday (9am to noon) which offers two breakfasts for £10 including tea or coffee, and it really is excellent value.

My traditional full English breakfast, made with top quality, locally sourced ingredients, was very tasty and the perfect start to the day. And it was so filling that it meant that I had no need of any lunch that day.

My partner decided to try something a bit more unusual and opted for the posh eggie bread with smoked salmon. The serving of smoked salmon was very generous and he certainly seemed to enjoy the dish.

While we were waiting for our breakfasts we had the chance to peruse the rest of the menu which was packed with tempting dishes, and in fact we enjoyed our morning experience so much we returned a week later to sample an evening meal.

The food was just as good then as it had been on our previous visit.

The menu changes regularly but is based around British classics with a modern twist.

I tried the homemade steak burger, topped with flat capped mushroom, crispy bacon and Gould’s Cheddar, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. The burger was cooked just as I like it, slightly pink in the centre, and had that wonderful texture that differentiates home made burgers from mass produced efforts. It came served with Cajun and lime dusted chips which were crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the seasoning added a hint of spice and zing which elevated them beyond run-of-the-mill chips.

My partner was very impressed with his Classic posh fish (monkfish in Cajun soda batter) which also came with the wonderful signature crisps. The batter was not too thick and the fish soft and delicately flavoured.

Desserts are displayed on the specials board and although the selection is not huge we both found something deliciously sweet to hit the spot.

There is a lovely, friendly atmosphere at the Lime Lounge and the bright décor is cheerful even on a dull winter’s day. Although it can get quite busy (its location means that it attracts both tourists and a local crowd), staff remain attentive and upbeat and even though it was full by the time we had finished eating on both occasions we never felt rushed.

Little touches, such as a carafe of water being brought to the table as standard, really sets it apart and makes the dining experience just that bit better.

I was also impressed that when I asked our waiter where the meat had come from he immediately knew. Details like this always give me confidence that staff are genuinely interested in what they are doing and care about the restaurant, and consequently the customers.

Food is very reasonably priced, with main courses ranging from around £10 to £15, and a bottle of house wine costing £13.

The relaxed ambience at the Lime Lounge makes it suitable for all ages and the well-thought out menu caters for all tastes.

If you haven’t been yet, make it a New Year’s resolution to pay a visit.

For more details about the Lime Lounge or to see the latest menus and special offers visit www.limeloungebath.co.uk.

Thanks to Emma Dance for this review.