Restaurants and stuff

Yep. I think a lot of staff had moved from the restaurant up Emm Lane where Paprika Lounge is now

 

I worked at Yorkshire Bank when that branch closed

 

Trip to Moorcock Inn last Saturday:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6sBRiZLXS2mLQWaF8

 

My wife & I and two friends went to the restaurant at the Moorcock on Saturday. I had thought I'd got the last available booking slot, at 7.30, but I now think they must book everyone at that time as there only appeared to be one sitting - no one arrived later and it takes all evening for the full set menu to be served. The service was friendly, helpful and informative.
We all felt the food was of a very good standard. We opted not to have the matched wines for each course since, at £30 per head it would have almost doubled the bill. Instead we shared a bottle of Duc does Nauves 2016 red and each had a glass of Macchiona 2011 with the optional cheese course, both of which were superb.
Particular mention goes to the soup and the smoked cod courses - both gorgeously flavoursome. The mussels tasted like they were straight out of the sea - lovely. Do be aware that their home produced soda bread and butter are extremely moreish, so avoid eating too much of that too early and filling yourself up before the fancy stuff arrives. I just about managed not to. The chicken cooked in a salt crust was tasty, as chicken goes, but was my least favourite course.

But here's my gripe. I'm not sure I'm really cut out for these tasting menu affairs. There's no doubt that all the food was very good but, as is the way with these things, the portions of each course were small. Don't get me wrong - I was certainly full up by the end of the meal - but I'd much rather have had a bigger bowl of soup, a bigger portion of the smoked cod with more veg and lost the chicken course. Just as I was really starting to fully savour the splendid flavours in each course, it was gone.
Having said that, I felt the food was tastier and less fussy than the the Yorke Arms and infinitely better value. I also preferred the less formal atmosphere of the Moorcock which is, after all, a slightly poshed up pub.
Despite my reservations above, I enjoyed it and I would go back. It's a good opportunity to sample some really high standard cooking without breaking the bank.

 

Probably in Leeds or Manchester.

I only went in twice but I found it quite strange, they had Happy hardcore music on when all the clientele we more or less 50+. None looked amused, why piss off the customers you do get with a crap atmosphere?

 

Glad you enjoyed.

I know what you mean about the tasting menu malarkey. I can't ever say I've left hungry after one, but they're less satisfying than a 'normal' starter & main on the whole.

I've read that some high-end Michelin restaurants are bringing back traditional a la carte, and rightly so.

That said I'm going back to the Moorcock as it's a handy 'local' spot to get that level of cooking.

 

If anyone's knocking about in Bradford tomoz - and increasingly I'm getting the impression that it's unlikepy - Manjit's Kitchen are setting up shop in City Park from lunchtime for the day.

Veggie Indian food & recent winners of a BBC award. Dead good.

 

Sounds great.

 

Is this the same Manjit from Leeds Kirkgate market? I've bought there and enjoyed it but prefer Cafe Moor or Mr Makerel!

 

That's the one.

 

Went to York yesterday to take in the football and go on the lash, god it was busy in the centre with gawping tour groups, last time I go in the summer.

Had a wander trying to find non-chain pizza and that was bloody difficult, after more than an hour we ended up walking away from the centre and up towards Micklegate, just before the gate was Brewdog, I didn't want to go in but was tired and overruled anyway...........

Hated it, from it's hip OSB & pallet interior, to it's large framed photo of "The Crew" with attached wacky nicknames, opening a bar on the cheap is one thing, but a corporation spending oodles making it look like it'd been cobbled up by a 7 year old would-be carpenter is taking the piss. Just like the so wacky jargon, it was annoying, I'll never go in one again, I'd feel more at peace with the world in Maccy D's.

The pizzas were great, we all said that, hand made too, I watched them, I had the Grazing Goat, goat’s cheese, pine nuts, red onion, rocket leaves,smashed tomatoes & fresh mozzarella. £9 each, not big enough IMO but was very tasty indeed. Had beer but can't remember what it was.....

 

I know the Angel at Hetton's been mentioned on here before: it's been flogged to a couple of people including chef Michael Wignall.

Pretty big news in the high-end restaurant world I reckon given his background of running Michelin-starred kitchens.

Another star for Yorkshire within the year?

 

How long does an owner/chef have to be in place before they can get a star? Is it like Good Beer Guide where it has to be owned for 12 months before it can go in?

 

Don't think so. It's always 'the place' that holds the star (in theory). They announce the stars once a year though so there must be a cut-off logistically to be included in the guide.

 

I'm torn with Brewdog. They've managed to help put proper (tho divisive, I know) keg beer into the mainstream. Even shite pubs stock Punk IPA now which can't be a bad thing.

However that whole 'punk' ethos is cringeworthy for a company that's so obviously commericial.

 

Thing is the punk ethos worked when they were small and niche so they now have to stick with it as that is part of their brand