AFTER nearly 15 years as a mainstay in Stockton Heath, Tom at 101 shut its doors in November last year.

I had visited probably six months previously, and although I was kind in my subsequent view – the food was very good, after all – you couldn’t help but feel that the London Road eaterie was in need of a little bit of life breathing into it.

Although it was a week night, we were virtually the only diners present.

But despite it’s demise, Tom at 101 is still a hard act to follow.

And the team behind Mr Lau’s are the ones who have tasked themselves with doing so.

Rebranded as Harvey’s, the place has undergone a refurbishment and the menu has enjoyed a refresh.

Warrington Guardian:

The restaurant is busier than my visit during the previous era, and we’re welcomed in with a glass of red and a Goose Island IPA.

To start, I opt for the chicken satay skewers – accompanied by what is described as Danny’s satay sauce dip.

Warrington Guardian:

I briefly ponder who Danny is, the eponymous Danny from Danny’s Kitchen perhaps?

Admittedly, it is a takeaway famed for its chicken satay half and half.

Anyway, the three skewers are beautifully chargrilled and Danny’s dip is excellent.

My companion opts for the crispy calamari, accompanied by a lemon mayonnaise.

Warrington Guardian:

She is starting as she means to go on and follows this up with Harvey’s signature fish pie.

This comes packed with generous chunks of seafood – prawns, scallops, lobster, salmon, cod and haddock.

The pie is topped off with cheddar mash, while the broccolini on the side is smothered in garlic butter.

Warrington Guardian:

I choose the 340g sirloin steak, with the peppercorn sauce.

My slab of meat is joined by a healthy helping of triple-cooked chips and a fantastic pair of onion rings.

While I ask for the steak medium rare, it is a little bit overdone.

Oddly enough, I had a similar complaint the last time I came under the Tom regime.

Despite being extremely well-filled by this point, it would be a travesty to pass up the opportunity of a peanut butter brownie to share.

Warrington Guardian:

The brownie is incredible rich, but it goes down a treat alongside a salted caramel ice cream.

As expected, the ensuing sugar rush lasts for several days.

Most importantly, the staff are friendly and attentive throughout.

Harvey has certainly picked up the mantle from Tom and run with it.