Ego at The Fox, Haslington

You're walking into what used to be The Fox, but now it's all about the food. The kitchen's the real draw here—they've got a wood-fired setup that takes centre stage, and they're not messing around with frozen bits or shortcuts. It's the kind of place where you can actually taste the difference between somewhere that cares and somewhere that doesn't. The vibe is smart-casual; you feel looked after without anyone pretending to be fancy. On Crewe Road in Haslington, it's become the sort of spot locals actually book ahead for, rather than just wandering into whatever's open.