WITH our bank balances and waistlines feeling the effects of Christmas, eating out may not be at the forefront of many people's minds right now.

But by the time January is over, we will all have failed miserably at achieving our new year's resolutions and will be actively planning our next meal out, wherever that may be.

So, if you are getting bored of going to the same old restaurants and looking for inspiration then fear not, we’ve got your back.

These are a few of our recommendations for restaurants you ought to try this year:

Miller & Carter

1A Brandlesholme Rd, Greenmount, Bury BL8 4DS

Miller & Carter came to Greenmount back in September, and although some TripAdvisor reviews suggest teething problems early on, the chain is one that is trusted by steak lovers across the country.

Owners Mitchells & Butlers have played a blinder in refurbishing the former Toby Carvery to bring a cosmopolitan dining experience to the suburbs.

We were invited down to try it out for ourselves back in November, and described it as a ‘real treat’.

A decent steak will inevitably set you back more than £20 - and that’s not including sides - but there is also a fixed price lunch menu offering a selection of dishes - £10.95 for two courses or £13.95 for three - available from noon to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and until 3pm on Saturdays.

A must-try for steak lovers.

Racconto Lounge

4 Clerke Street, Bury BL9 0PL

West-Country-based restaurant/café/bar group The Lounges opened the family-friendly restaurant on the site of the former Sol Viva nightclub in Bury town centre at the end of November.

The group spent £582,000 transforming the site into a retro-inspired cosy retreat, and it appears to have paid off in droves.

The interior is tastefully decorated with huge paintings adorning the walls, making for a refreshing addition to the town centre’s food and drink scene.

A varied menu is on offer, with everything from macaroni cheese to tapas dishes, while there is also a cocktail menu, meaning that Racconto Lounge is destined to become a versatile venue used for everything from breakfast, to a pre-cinema meal with children, or even an evening catch-up with friends.

Baratxuri

1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT

A major player in Ramsbottom’s flourishing food and drink scene, Baratxuri recently scooped Casual Restaurant of the Year and Best Out of Town Venue at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards.

The Basque-style Pintxo bar is the sister venture of neighbouring Levanter, which received a gushing review from the Guardian’s Jay Rayner in 2015.

Diners can pick at treats in the bar area, while table service is also available in the restaurant section for those looking for a more formal night out.

The secret of this intimate restaurant bringing continental flavour to the Lancashire foothills is already out, so if you haven’t done so already, make sure 2018 is the year you check out what the hype is about for yourself.

Lolo’s

2 Market Pl, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HT

Another of Ramsbottom’s most popular eateries, this 1920s-themed vegan restaurant is catering to the increasing numbers of vegans living within the borough.

Even for non-vegans, though, Lolo’s menu possesses a number of intriguing dishes, including the Pasanda, which is described as ‘a north Indian curry dish house made with a rich, bold & complex spice profile. Battered ‘prawn’ pieces are submerged in the warming sauce accompanied with herbed pilaf rice'.

If that doesn’t sound up your street then there are a number of other dishes which take a vegan twist on classic dishes such as ‘Phish and Chips’, as well as a range of salads, burgers, and desserts.

Lolo’s may not be for everyone, but if you’re willing to give it a try then you will not be disappointed.

Amore

14 Radcliffe New Rd, Whitefield, Manchester M45 7GY

One of a number of quality restaurants to have sprouted up in Whitefield in recent years is Amore, a modern Italian restaurant located in the former home of the Buddha Lounge.

Entrepreneur Scott Murray has overseen a slick refurbishment and recruited a team of chefs which includes Jacques Hilton, former head chef of popular Manchester restaurant, The Chop House.

Foodwise, the arancini starter is to die for, while the stone baked sourdough pizzas are also worth trying, and shouldn’t set you back too much.

Grape to Grain

41 Bridge St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AD​

Following the success of their Prestwich shop, which opened in June 2016, Grape to Grain owners Tom Sneesby, and Joannes Hubertus van Goethem – also known as Barry – opened a second shop in Ramsbottom last month.

Described as “an off licence with a difference”, Grape to Grain possesses a license which means customers can sample a wide selection of wines and beers from around the world in store, as well as buying them to enjoy at home.

With the much-heralded Vineyard across the road in Square Street, Ramsbottom residents will now be spoilt for choice when it comes to wine.

And a lack of variety will certainly not be an issue at Grape to Grain as the shop stocks around 250 different wines from around the world. If you are a wine lover, it’s well worth a trip.