Restaurants and stuff

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I had dinner, bed and breakfast at the Yorke Arms in Ramsgill, Nidderdale on my birthday. It wasn't a special birthday but it's a place we've talked about going to for years so we decided to push the boat out and do it.
We went for a five mile walk before checking in and arrived like drowned rats after getting caught in heavy rain.They weren't sniffy about this and happily showed us to our room as we dripped on their (recently refurbished) decor. The room was very pleasant and the bed large and comfortable.
You get a choice of the five or the eight course tasting menu with the DB&B package so, obviously, we chose the eight. Two of the courses were meat but they replaced those with fish/veg at short notice for my wife, who is pescetarian.
What can I say? It was all very lovely Michelin star nouvelle stuff. Everything was beautifully presented in the typical MasterChef manner. But I'd expect at least some of a tasting menu that costs £110 pp (without the room or drinks) to blow me away, and none of it did. It was very nice, but no more than that.
With wine, coffees and pre/post meal drinks the whole shooting match left no change from £500.
The feel of the place was pretty relaxed. The service was good without being intrusive, and we had a pleasant experience. But it's not one I'll be forking out to do again at that cost. File under 'slightly underwhelmed'.

 

I know what you mean.
It's OK having fresh well cooked produce but at a price like that I'd expect the flavours to dance around my palate and to leave me wanting to visit again. So many so called Michellin quality menus fail to attain the zenith of the award.

 

Useful to know as it's one we've considered.

I've heard similar from someone else about things being no more than 'perfectly pleasant' but I thought the recent refurb might've injected a bit of oomph into the cooking too. Evidently not.

Bonkers when you think the Moorcock's menu at lunch (dinner) or dinner (tea) is 35 quid for 5 courses and, in my view, can't be far off a Michelin star.

We did a walk around Nidderdale last year passing the Yorke Arms. Nice looking place.

You might've been, but the Star Inn at Harome does the Michelin thing without forgetting that it's a pub.

 

I know a couple who went to the Waterside Inn last year - 3 stars - but didn't come back raving about it. Sounded similar to @Offcomedun 's experience at the Yorke Arms - a bit flat.

I suppose there's an arguement against the validity of Michelin now. I'm still geeky about it but there are loads of places doing ace food at a third of the price of some of those starry spots that also let you pour yer own wine.

 

I've just booked us in for evening meal at the Moorcock Inn restaurant Saturday evening. Got the last available slot at 7.30, so will have to get skates on after the match. Looking forward to trying it.

 

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

Looks good to me.

 

Took my mother in law out for lunch for her 92nd birthday the other day. We went to The Station House Italian cafe at Garforth as it is local to her. It opens from 6.00 am serving breakfasts and is only open in the evenings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is fairly small but with a little outside area under a gazebo. Upstairs has a separate dining room for a small party.
The pizzas were very good, as was a frittata and salad and m in law enjoyed her pasta bake. Service was lovely, it is a family run place with lots of repeat customers it seems. Brought bowl of water for the dog too!
Thoroughly recommended.

 

I have been a couple of times, but for Sunday lunch and we didn't stay. I think the Sunday lunch is very good value compared with the standard menu - it was traditional but beautifully done.

 

Looks like a battered sausage from the local chippy.

 

Apparently I need to take the wife out for a late lunch on Wednesday.

Just need to think of somewhere localish to go

 

It is, I think.

 

I just googled it and it came up with the same photo. It is indeed a battered jumbo sausage.

 

The evening tasting menu is anything but traditional. It's all fusion this and nouvelle that. Maybe I should try the Sunday lunch.

 

Just had a look. It seems to have changed a bit, and is now part of "The Bayford Group". There seems to be no sign of the Sunday lunch menus I have enjoyed. Glad I went when I did.

 

Within an hour drive not on motorway from Eccleshill

Anytime really from 12-4