THE Courthouse is in 'session' six days a week but the only thing people are guilty of at Barristers Restaurant is overindulgence.

Knutsford's 200-year-old former crown court was closed by the Ministry of Justice in 2010 but in a surprise move it reopened as a plush restaurant last summer.

Brothers Dominic and Oliver Heywood, of Flat Cap Hotels, spent 18 months transforming the grade II listed Georgian building and the results are spectacular.

Weekend was invited to review the restaurant and see how the rest of the plans for the courthouse are taking shape.

The first thing that strikes you when you take your seat – overlooking a contemporary bar in the centre of the room – is how well presented and beautifully decorated the space is.

Artist James Blankhorn has created portraits of celebrities who have spent time behind bars.

So while we were nibbling Nocellara olives and tangy Padrón peppers we were looking at the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley on the walls.

Even Harry Potter's Sirius Black and Wallace and Gromit's Preston have their mugshots featured, lending the restaurant a unique atmosphere.

There are other quirky touches reflecting the building's history too like the small sharing dishes being described as the 'opening statement' while the main course becomes 'main evidence' and dessert is the 'closing argument'.

It adds a bit if fun and any concerns we had that The Courthouse was relying too much on its novelty factor was put to rest when our dishes arrived.

The service was fast, staff were friendly and welcoming throughout and all the food was immaculately presented, generous and hearty.

I chose the 10oz ribeye steak with parmesan and truffle chips and a béarnaise sauce which was stunning. Tender and succulent, I asked for it for medium and that's how I got it.

My wife Sarah, a vegetarian, had the mille fuille which sees Jerusalem artichokes, red chard, shallots, burnt onion puree and pickled carrots stacked up on puff pastry with a port jus.

She was particularly impressed with the dish's depth of flavour and attractive presentation.

To finish we squeezed in a sticky toffee pudding and Manchester tart. My sticky toffee pudding came with salted caramel parfait, sticky dates, fudge and honeycomb and was true comfort food indulgence.

While Sarah's tart was a decadent treat with the raspberry fruit flavours perfectly complementing the meringue and toasted coconut.

Barristers Restaurant is just the first phase of The Courthouse with 10 luxury bedrooms set to open and we also saw the function room which is already starting to be used for events and weddings.

The Courthouse is a short distance from Knutsford's renowned restaurants in King Street but getting there is no trial and the jury is in – if our experience is anything to go by you'll be in for a treat.