"Having been here (many times) previously, I went with an open mind, to view the refurbishment, and taste the food, described on their website as full of flavour and incredibly delicious Arriving at (between existing customers finishing breakfast which apparently ended at lunch which didn't start until we were shown to a table but told no service until Observations: the restaurant is light airy, plenty of space between tables. But there are x entrances causes a problem when people are queuing for tables at one end, and others are using the other entrance. Having waited minutes we asked for a menu so we could be ready to order. That took a further minutes to appear, so we ordered drinks. Drinks appeared we ordered food at By the time food appeared the teapot for (no hot water), with miniscule milk, had been drained. The Sandwiches described as all served with Salad Coleslaw came with a lettuce leaf, a single slice of cucumber and a teaspoon of coleslaw. No Onion, No Tomato. There was more sourdough bread than Tuna filling. The baked feta with lentils at portion size was more like a starter. The side portion of salt pepper chips came with huge slices of peppers amongst the chips I would have expected small chunks of peppers scattered over them (or maybe that's just me At over for a light lunch I doubt we will be dining here again. It's a shame it could be so much better and cheaper! Why be so pretentious? Offer Brown/White Bread why just Sourdough Ciabatta's?? Oh yes what is The Whitaker? It's a Museum not a café So a look around at the ground floor (museum) before we left did nothing to enamour me. The old exhibits are crammed into the dark, poorly lit, rear rooms (behind the shop toilets), whilst the sunny front rooms are used for exhibition, and what appeared to be a children's craft area? Richard Whitaker donated this building to the people of Rawtenstall as a museum. or then maybe somewhere along the way, everyone has forgotten that!"
