Restaurants and stuff

That explains it, both meals were rubbish I could have knocked up better myself. There must be 10 cafe/delis within 5 mins walk, they need to up their game.

 

Is La Rue still open in Saltaire?

Calderdale-dwellers, I heard of a new place in Sowerby Bridge the other day called Engine Social. It's another tapas joint but we'll forgive them if it's decent, and it certainly looks to be.

Elder, in the Piece Hall, was on-the-money the other day.

I also read a rave review for 'Over There' in Brighouse in the Yorkshire Post.

When's it Bradford's turn?

Anyway, here's some Moorcock Inn (Sowerby Bridge) action:

https://wp.me/p3Rnlb-5mn

 

Just booked for dinner, B&B on 4th October (wedding anniversary) at the Howtown Hotel at Ullswater.
Looking on Tripadvisor the place seems to split opinion. Some love it's olde worlde charm, uncompromising approach, no WiFi, phone signal, kettle in rooms or other frills. Others find it brusque, unwelcoming and outdated.
Everyone seems to think the scran is good though. Apparently all guests gather in the bar at 6.30 at the sound of the gong(!) to order for dinner, which is served at 7pm sharp!
I have friends who stayed there recently and loved it. I've been to that area many times and the setting is fantastic.
Anyone on here ever been?

 

La Rue is still open but it downsized (50%) a few years ago. It's made to look old fashioned by the local delis and the interior ensures that I'd never eat there, yikes, would be like dining in a kaleidoscope! Opening times are crazy 6pm-9pm and tbh I think The Waterside on the canal has taken their target market, people wanting good cooking and happy to pay a premium for it.

"Engine Social" hehe, beards & clogs at the ready.

Have more units opened in Piece Hall? I went in Feb and the signage was rubbish, you practically had to step inside a unit to find out what it was selling/cooking/making. Another gin bar and I'll scream.

Great review & pics of the Moorcock. I must really try to go south of Bradford, but then I'd have to drive through it.............

 

It is actually rubbish now. I used to go a fair but when it first got going, I had some time off after a knee replacement and it was a handy place. The menu was pretty much the same but as you say you can knock up better stuff at home and it's not that cheap either. I'm not sure they're that bothered, the owner knocks about with his long hair, little beard and pointy shoes like he's mister saltaire. We'll see but I can't see it changing any time soon

 

Wacky reviews "The common areas are all heavily decorated in floral prints with animal heads on the wall" Not for me, good luck!

 

As I said, it seems to be marmite. I'll obviously report back in despatches.
I once stayed in an old house on the shore of Ullswater for a week. The skies were black as your hat the whole time. It felt like being on holiday in Mordor. But when it's nice up there its glorious. Hoping we get some good walking weather to work up an appetite.

 

Looks a superb location, I stayed at place (forgot name) near Eccles in Norfolk and that had no wi-fi and there was no mobile reception nearby, I really enjoyed it, there were no street lights either..........still reading the reviews, I just know it's not for me but hope it is for you!

 

Looks like Ricci's menu too.

'A culinary melting pot of amazing, bold & fresh flavours, hand-picked from all corners of the world & brought together in an energetic & vibrant setting.'

Shudder.

 

Didn't know that. Nice to see he's landed on his feet after closing the Leeds place after Chrimbo...

 

Fusion. Ugh.

 

Thought u liked my curry bolognese m8 ?.

 

Piece Hall appears to be getting there slowly but surely. The signage is decent now but I'm not sure how some businesses will sustain thrmselves as footfall during the week isn't great.

The Moorcock has just won 'best new entry'in the Good Food Guide. Those guides aren't the be all but fair play to them. They could've opened anywhere in the UK but chose there.

 

It's called keema m8.

 

Stansfield Arms, Sunday lunch - very nice. 2 course's for £15, good range of starters and around 10/12 options for mains. They'd run out of beef so had the pork. Really nice, good helping of pork, loads of veg, good Yorkshire puds and roasts. Never rated the beer but the pint of Landlord was good this time.

 

I went to Piece Hall on a Saturday in late March. I thought it was a waste of space. Unit after unit selling knick knacks and touristy tat. I bloody hate shops like that. There was one decent bookshop, a place selling vinyl and bugger all else to interest me. A classic case of form over content. Unsurprisingly, there was hardly anyone in there. It needs to have improved massively to tempt me back.

 

I forgot

I forgot to mention that you can't book online, you have to phone them. They then require you to write a letter confirming your booking request! I've just received a hand written reply in barely decipherable scrawl acknowledging my booking!!
There is a part of me that really admires their steadfast refusal to acknowledge 20thC technology and stick rigidly to the 19thC. Interestingly, despite all this palavar they are heavily booked, so they must be doing something right.

 

Taking the non-non wife (long story) for a birthday meal at La Locanda in Gisburn tomoz.

"Proper" Italian apparently. Looks like my usual pizza & chips won't be on offer.

 

I went with a group of friends to the Prashad at Drighlington to have the 7 course tasting menu. The restaurant has changed a bit since the founder Kaushy Patel has taken a back seat and the place is now run by her son and daughter in law. It seems to be aiming at a fine dining market and the prices were to match - the 7 course tasting menu is £48 a head.
The food, all vegetarian, was very good and well presented but I think I prefer their standard menu that I have sampled a while back- I am not fond of tasting menus really. You just think ooh that is really nice and after a mouthful or two it is finished and on to the next. You also don't get to choose.

The service was a bit off for a place with fine dining aspirations. We had to ask for water to be brought to the table repeatedly, which was annoying. Good selection of beers and drinks.