Restaurants and stuff

Camorra..proper Mafia that lot

 

Please don’t hurt me.

 

Well I can understand that it might not be to everyone's taste but we loved the Forde. It's only a small place but loud and so laid back they were falling over. The staff seemed to be having as good a time as the customers. Every table taken. We were a bit greedy and probably had I think 7 or 8 small plates between the 2 of us. All but one were superb, and not ridiculous money. Bill just shy of £100 with a pint of Estrella, bottle of Provencal Rose and a large Malbec.
Because it was snowy we didn't fancy the walk down from Granvilles (which was packed anyway) so went to the Town Street Tavern. Sad to say I think it's on it's arse. It used to be a regular of ours but we stopped going because it just seems to have lost it a bit. 8pm on a Saturday night only 4 customers in

 

Glad you enjoyed Forde. Sounds like you got to sample a good array of the goods.

 

A tale of two meals.
My wife had a special birthday last year and was given a £150 voucher for the Box Tree, Ilkley. We weren't doing indoor eateries last February so we used it this birthday instead and went there on Saturday. Since we were last there, six years ago, the menu has changed from a la carte to a set meal at a fixed price of £90 each.
What can I say? It was ok. Is ok good enough for £90 a head? No it isn't. As is the way with these tasting multi course meals, you get just enough to decide you like the course and then it's all gone.
The main course typified it. Lamb is just about my favourite meat. It was nicely cooked but nothing special - I had a lamb shank with rosemary gravy from Morrisons a few weeks ago that I enjoyed more tbh. The puddings were the best bit.
It was all very formal and stuffy. I was glad we didn't have the wine pairing because the sommelier gave the recipients a five minute wine lecture with every course. I've no objection to hearing a bit about each wine but this was ridiculous.
We had a G&T each, shared a bottle of malbec and had a glass of dessert wine each. The bill came to £130 on top of the £150 voucher. We had a pleasant evening but no earthly way will I be back paying that sort of dosh for what was on offer.

Yesterday we made a last minute decision to stay overnight in Helmsley and go for a seven mile walk today (my wife's actual birthday). We got a deal for £85 b&b at The Feathers hotel. It was excellent - cosy, very friendly, helpful staff (without all the cloying pomp & ceremony). The food was really good. I had the roast beef with all the trimmings - a proper plate of food with a healthy pile of vegetables rather than three artfully arranged mange tout. Wife had baked cod, also good. The sticky toffee pudding was to die for. At £8 a starter, £17 main and £7 pud it was a fraction of the Box Tree cost and I enjoyed it more. Breakfast was excellent too. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

See above!

 

This is a timely overview as I've been considering a Box Tree return over the last couple of weeks. Going on this I think I'll continue to wait.

Tasting menus in general - more often than not I get either bored, overfaced or both. Your evening at the Feathers sounds like a more enjoyable evening.

 

We went a couple of weeks ago - still living on past glories. Menu was boring and rather bland - 3 of our party had the wine pairing, all rather uninspiring choices.
Expensive and best to avoid. You can get a lot better for a lot less.

 

I can't say I've had the experience of being overfaced by a tasting menu. I've more often found the opposite - each course is so measly in size that I don't feel full. That didn't happen at the Box Tree, because I got stuck into the bread and marmite butter.

 

The best wine pairing I've had was at The Moorcock Inn. They did the best tasting menu I've ever had, PLUS the wine pairing, for £70 or thereabouts. Outstanding food and value and the wine choices were excellent.

 

I probably mean that the laborious nature of plate after plate after plate does summat to my brain that makes me switch off.

See also: small/sharing plates. That said we're going to Engine Social in Sowerby Bridge soon which does exactly that...

 

We did the wine pairing when House of Tides in Newcastle opened. I've read only good things in the 7 (?) years since our visit but it wasn't a great experience then.

Re the wine - they bought out the next drink the moment the previous course was complete. Some courses took 15 mins or so to get sent from the kitchen. Needless to say there wasn't much left in the glass by that point.

I had a solo lunch at Man Behind the Curtain once and distantly knew some of the team who were very generous in the refills.

 

The thing with small plates is that if you like something, you can order another!

 

@millario any chance you’ll do a review on Brontaes soon in Horsforth? Apologies if I missed it. Went in august and was a huge advocate. I’ve not had a chance to go more recently. But be interested to hear the thoughts of someone who’s well travelled food wise in the local area.

Last time I checked they had raised the prices. Which is a shame. But at the end of the day you pay the going rate. So it is what it is.

 

What did you think about the place itself? I've heard good things about the food but from the pictures it looks a bit canteen like and lacking in atmosphere. Might be different in the flesh.

 

Ey up. It's on my list of suggestions for Leeds Confidential (which is increasing its Leeds coverage over the next year to match their Manchester and Liverpool output), just waiting for the nod from the editor.

On that note - I'm always on the lookout for new restaurants/those with new chefs etc. Given the rest of the team is Leeds-based my ear isn't as close to the ground as them!

 

Was going to post on the Mansfield home / curry thread but thought I go here instead. On Friday had the misfortune of the worst curry in recent memory. Omars near the University (not Omar Khans). Starters dry and boring. Main course overpowered by chilli powder and very little substance. Not surprised we were the only ones in at 11pm on a Friday night . My mate has been sacked from ever recommending a curry house again