We were up on the North York Moors earlier this week and noticed that the Mayflower (Hawthorn to those more in the know)was in bloom. This usually heralds the onset of warmer weather - so here's keeping our fingers crossed for a balmy month. Given the improved weather and the prospect of warmer evenings out we thought it overdue to put "pen to paper" and let readers know some of our favourite eating places. All bar one are within easy walking distance of Feverham Lodge.
Visitors to York often ask us for suggestions on eating out. Whilst we are generally spoilt for dining choices in York, we provide below details of five eating places in the York area. Each is different but each is distinctive.
The Lime House
In our opinion the crème de la crème of restaurants in York. Adam and Catherine Fisher have owned The Lime House for some seven years and during that time have garnered numerous awards and gained a justifiable reputation for outstanding cuisine. Adam learnt about culinary variety at The Green House in Mayfair, & about the qualities of fish in a Mediterranean Restaurant in the South of France. As Chef/Director of Cafe Bleu in Newark he achieved entry into the Good Food Guide. In 2003 they won the York Tourism Bureau’s accolade “Restaurant of the Year
Adam says; “I am passionate about using good quality local produce and love to discover new ways of incorporating ingredients in my dishes to suit different palates.”
The words of one of our guests says it all
.“We had both a dinner and lunch at the Lime House. The dinner was to celebrate our anniversary and it was outstanding. Great food, ambience and service. It was so good we went back for lunch and had their special. Two courses for £8.75 – it has to be the best value in the UK”
(Incidentally Elaine and I also celebrated our wedding annivesary at The Lime House and you can read our comments on our previous blog "The Good the sad but nothing ugly").
The web address is www.limehouserestaurant-york.co.uk
Bengal Brasserie
“A belting restaurant” was how a couple from Wigan described the Bengal Brasserie. Situated in the heart of York the Bengal Brasserie is arguably the city’s finest curry restaurant. Winner of the British Curry Award in 2005 it provides a convivial and comfortable environment in which to sample their Indian and Bengali delights. From time to time the Bengal Brasserie performs Indian cooking demonstrations teaching you the secrets of Bengali Cuisine. Whether your taste in curry is a mild dish like a Korma or maybe something with a little more spice you are unlikely to be disappointed.
The web address is www.bengal-brasserie.com
Plunkets
This year Plunket’s celebrates its 30th birthday and its longevity is testimony to its quality. Stars of the past and present adorn the walls of the stylishly decorated restaurant, while the upstairs bar is a comfortable place to rendezvous.
A major part menu of the Plunkets menu is based on food originating in Mexico and the American South West. Plunkets view is there is a real feeling of excitement and pride in the food from these countries and wherever possible Plunkets uses fresh ingredients in order to make their "imitations" authentic. Fresh chilli plays an important role but it is the distinctive colour and variety which make the taste buds tingle. The food quite literally sizzles with flavour.
The web address is www.plunkets.co.uk
The Bluebell at Alne
The Bluebell in the village of Alne (some 20 minutes from York) is the quintessential English village pub. Michael and Annette Anson acquired the Bluebell in April, 2002 and extensively refurbished the pub. Michael was formerly the Chef at the Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold, having been at the Carpenters' Arms, Felixkirk prior to that. With that pedigree its no surprise that foreign visitors seeking an authentic pub experience sing the Bluebell’s praises.
Try the Goat's Cheese Salad (Oven baked Goat's Cheese, served on rocket and mixed leaf salad, with a honey and lemon dressing) to start and follow it with Millefeuille of Pork (Layers of Pan Fried Pork Fillet and Apple, served with a Cheddar Cheese Crown and a rich Port Sauce.).
The web address is www.bluebellalne.co.uk
The Mulberry Hall Coffee Shop
Mulberry Hall, founded and owned by the Sinclair family for fifty years, is a flagship store for fine china, crystal, cutlery and cookware. Set in beautifully preserved premises, dating from 1434, browsers are welcome to visit their seventeen showrooms.
Whilst exploring Mulberry Hall take time to visit the delightful Mulberry Hall Coffee Shop on the first floor - a traditional English style tea room and sunny conservatory.
It's a delightful environment to enjoy a wide selection of light lunches and snacks freshly prepared on the premises. Also indulge in the day's selection of desserts from the cake trolley. Particularly tempting are the Treacle Tart, a heavenly Banoffie Pie and arguably Yorkshire's finest Curd Tart.
Everything is served on the finest china ("Night & Day" by Wedgwood) and cutlery (by Robert Welch) both available at Mulberry Hall.
The web address is www.mulberyhall.co.uk
As usual we end with the month's diary of events.
3rd/5th May Fiesta Parliament Street Parliament Street, York
3rd May Flamenco Guitar Workshop Merchant Adventurers' Hall Fossgate, York
10:00 to 12:00 01904 654818
10th/11th May Battlegroup North & Military Wheels & Wings Show Yorkshire Air Museum
Halifax Way, Elvington, York 01904 608595
14th/16th May May Horse Racing Festival York Racecourse 01904 620911
16th May 2008 Bonhams Valuation Day Fairfax House Castlegate, York 01904 655543
24th/26th May School of Chivalry Clifford's Tower Tower Street, York 01904 646940
25th/26th May Ryedale Festival of Food and Drink Castle Howard 01653 648333
In accordance with our theme we sign off by wishing you "a great dining experience".
David & Elaine