In life, one can often be fortunate to experience the occasional unplanned fortuitous culinary event. We had been enjoying the impressive city of Liverpool for a couple of days before heading to Blackpool for an event. We knew we would need to stop for lunch, and while researching restaurants along the route, we noticed a restaurant in Preston with a very high customer rating. They were serving a set menu and also offering a tasting menu during lunch. Curiosity got the better of us, and we ended up booking the last available table for lunch on that day. Oh, how incredibly lucky we were.
Aven is located on a quiet residential street of Georgian buildings. On the outside, it is unobtrusive and discreetly signed.
The interior of Aven welcomes the diner to a well-appointed, intimate space. On each table in the small main dining room was an envelope with the guest’s name hand-printed and closed with a wax seal. Inside the envelope was either the printed set menu or the day’s tasting menu, depending on which you had reserved at the time of booking.
We began with an oyster mousse topped with a cucumber, accented with horseradish and accompanied by a small cup of tomato essence infused with basil. Immediately, we knew we had made the right choice. Throughout the tasting menu experience and accompanying drink pairing, we were consistently deliciously surprised and gastronomically excited by what was served. The service was professional and engaging, but never stuffy; the knowledge and true pride in what they were part of came through to create a flawless dining experience for the guests.
Aven
10 Camden Place
Prestent PR13 3JL
Phone: 0800 246 5555
Overall score: 5.0
LovingTheUK.com 
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