In the summer holidays, I went with my family to a restaurant called Ego in Lytham St Annes on the Fylde seaside. I don’t normally write about restaurants outside of Sheffield, but Ego is a small chain of ten restaurants, and it just so happens there is one right here on our doorstep, in Sheffield town centre. I’ve not been there yet, but I would definitely be inclined to after my experience in the Lytham restaurant.

Ego is a bright and modern Mediterranean restaurant, serving a mixture of tapas, tagines, steaks, pasta, risotto and more. That may sound like a bit of a mish-mash, but it’s nicely done, and for a coeliac, it means plenty of choice! (In times BC*, I might normally have gone for a place that focuses on one type of cuisine, but in the AD** years, I am considerably less fussy about that type of thing!)

First things first – Ego have a gluten free menu! So we’re already off to a great start as there’s no trawling through the ring binder of doom, and no major conversations other than to confirm that mother and I are actually coeliac, and not just faddy eaters. Even better, they publish their current menus on their website, so you can even look before you go. (I am liking the look of the lamb kofta and the Andalucian pork fillet on their autumn GF menu.)

But back to August, for my starter, I had a delicious and very pretty confit duck salad with pomegranate and a soy and lime dressing. This was full of flavour and I could have eaten it again. For mains, I had their Moroccan lamb tagine, which I think is a signature dish. That was delightful, with very tender slow-cooked lamb and aromatic spices. Unfortunately, we may have had a glass or two of prosecco, so despite my good intentions, I completely failed to take any photos of the first and second courses. (What kind of second rate food blog is this!?)

For pudding, I shared a mixed berry and ginger Eton mess with my mum – and I did manage a photo. It was a bit on the sweet side for me, but it was the birthday girl’s choice, and it was attractive and full of fruit and ginger.

A triumph, with competent gluten free cooking and a nice and easy restaurant experience. Definitely to be recommended. Prices are about £6-7 for starters and £13-19 for main courses.

* Before Coeliac
** After Diagnosis