IT does not matter if it is a completely dark and rainy, dreary day.

As soon as you go down the steps into Las Ramblas in the Cultural Quarter’s Treasury Building you are instantly spirited away.

The dimmed lights, bustle of activity and smell of the gorgeous food creates an ambiance that Warrington Guardian readers have recognised in our Customer Service Awards.

The tapas restaurant and wine bar has been named our Pub/Restaurant of the Year.

Charles Dobosz and Adam Smith, who met while working at Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines’ Abode in Manchester, launched Las Ramblas four years ago.

They also run Grill on the Square, San Lorenzo and Treasury Private Dining – all within Palmyra Square.

Charles said: “I think for all of us it is a shock.

“We didn’t expect the award and we are very grateful to the people of Warrington for believing in us for four years.”

Charles and Adam have a team of 17 who run Las Ramblas.

He added: “I think the key to our success has been consistency, believing in what we do, always striving to improve and keeping things simple.

“If there’s anything we can do to make things better we try to do it.

“We’d like to thank all our regular guests.

“It’s crazy how busy it gets at weekends.

“With the menu we go for classic Spanish dishes as well as contemporary dishes in a tapas style.

“We’ve also made a good name for ourselves with our paella.

“A lot of people really enjoy our paella on a regular basis.”

THE FIVE NOMINEES >

  • Ferry Tavern, Penketh
  • The Poacher, Birchwood
  • Las Ramblas, town centre
  • Hop Co, town centre
  • Mr Lau’s, town centre

 HIGHLY COMMENDED > The Poacher

HUSBAND and wife team Rick and Paula Askew have run The Poacher for almost two years.

They have always set themselves the standard of being a family
friendly pub at the heart of the community.

And after being highly commended in the Pub/Restaurant of the Year
category of our Customer Service Awards, it is clear that Warrington
Guardian readers believe they have achieved just that.

Paula, who is helped by 10 members of staff at the Birchwood based pub restaurant, said: “We’re made up that people have voted for
us. 
“We pride ourselves on a warm, friendly welcome and serve good,
fresh pub grub that is good value for money as well as cater for the
Mosslands over the road.

“We do bingo and the whole of the elderly community come to play and catch up and eat together on a Friday.”

The Gorse Covert Road pub, owned by Greene King, is open seven days a week and shows all the latest sports fixtures as well as having an extensive menu from steaks and curries to an ever popular Sunday lunch.

Paula added: “The Poacher is a family orientated and dog friendly
pub at the heart of the community with great hospitality and a fantastic atmosphere."

HIGHLY COMMENDED > The Ferry Tavern

Warrington Guardian:

REAL ale lovers and music fans have helped historic pub, The Ferry Tavern, to thrive.

The Penketh pub, that was first licensed in 1762, has consistently featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for more than 20 years and has recently introduced brewery tap takeovers.

It is also the home of Glastonferry music festival that has proved so popular that it sells out almost straightaway and a huge spin-off event called Glastonferry in the Park is taking place at Bank Park this weekend.

Now The Ferry Tavern has been highly commended in the Pub/ Restaurant of the Year category of Warrington Guardian’s Customer Service Awards.

Andy Mulholland, who runs the pub with his wife Jade and a team of 20, said: “We’re very pleased to know we came joint runner-up for this award.

"It really pleases us to know that our customers go out of their way to show their support by nominating us and voting for us.

“We believe that The Ferry Tavern stands out due to the efforts we make to keep it a traditional local pub, there are no chain brands in sight and with its olde worlde feel it makes us unique. There are not many pubs like this left anymore.

“We’ve run the pub for just over 14 years, in fact Jade lived here for 27 years as her parents ran it before us. It’s nice to know that we’ll always remain a part of this pub’s history.

“With our great selection of cask ales, the best fish and chips around and our unique riverside location we hope to continue giving our customers good reason to keep nominating and voting for us.”