The Yorke Arms, Nidderdale

The Yorke Arms in Nidderdale was to be my second experience on my Yorkshire Michelin Star journey.  This was for an evening meal and perhaps wished it was for lunch as the drive out to Nidderdale is across some fantastic Yorkshire countryside with stunning views.  Unfortunately we missed all that as it was pitch black as we drove up and down dale to a somewhat remote location.  However, the trip was well worth the effort as the experience from start to finish was everything I had hoped it would be.  My apologies in advance that my photos haven’t come out that great, but hopefully gives you a good enough idea!

Being a cold winters’ night, it was lovely to be seated in the lounge area before dinner warming ourselves up with the delicious canapés.  Unfortunately I can’t remember what they all were – but I can assure you every morsel was packed with wonderful flavours.

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I had some difficulty choosing what to order – torn by the idea that when visiting such places, one should go for things on the menu almost ‘out of your comfort zone’ in order to try food you wouldn’t normally have access to.  I ended up erring on the conservative side!

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Having made our choices (eventually), we were seated at our table in the dining room which was atmospheric, filled with other diners.  We were presented with an amuse bouche and a selection of warm bread rolls, all with different flavours.

Amuse bouche - can't remember what it was!

Amuse bouche – can’t remember what it was!

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I had decided on smoked cod, kedgeree & langoustine for starters.  This was nice enough, but perhaps didn’t enjoy it as much I would have liked.  I am not sure why; may just have been a little too salty for me perhaps?

Smoked cod kedgeree & langoustine

Fillet of Yorkshire beef was the choice for my main – dreadfully extravagant but it must have been the nicest fillet I have ever had (although the fillet at Avontuur was probably just as good!); it was so tender and cooked to perfection with being just slightly pink on the inside.  The photo below doesn’t do justice to it!

Fillet of beef

Would I have room for dessert?  Only just and all in the interests of research you must understand!

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I couldn’t resist the Grand Marnier soufflé with chocolate and raspberry.  This was absolutely sublime.  I’ve been meaning to try and recreate it at home but am yet to do so … note to self.

Grand marnier souffle with raspberry sorbet

Retiring to the lounge extremely satisfied, dinner was complete with coffee and petit fours.

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Throughout the service was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the food when questions were posed.  I would very much like to go back to experience a lunch time and take in the surrounding countryside.

The Yorke Arms
Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale,
Pateley Bridge,
near Harrogate,
North Yorkshire
HG3 5RL
Telephone: 01423 755243
e-mail: info@yorke-arms.co.uk
http://www.yorke-arms.co.uk/index.php