After overdosing on the Christmas turkey and spending far too much on ourselves as well as others, we felt the Christmas pinch this January. However with most restaurants and foodie destinations giving away amazing offers, January has felt like the best month to scrap the diet, indulge and treat ourselves to a getaway or two.

Our Food Writer Tara Harris from The Yorkshire Food Guide shares their experience from some of Yorkshire’s finest foodie locations, exciting new dining destinations for 2017 and upcoming events to get your feast on.

‘AN INCREDIBLE EAST COAST GETAWAY: THE PLOUGH IN SCALBY’S SLEEP & DINE REVIEW’

For a mid-week treat we headed over to The Plough, situated just outside Scarborough in the picturesque village of Scalby. A lovingly refurbished pub/restaurant and boutique hotel, which prides itself on offering locally sourced food as well as stylish accommodation in a charming setting.

After having a complete over haul in October 2015, by award winning interior designer Rachel McLane, we were absolutely blown away by the attention to detail, style and luxury features our room had to offer.

Their menu consists of Yorkshire Tapas, comforting and seasonal mains and delicious desserts for the sweet tooths among us. Pub food it is not, with a simplistic menu you are completely blown away with what arrives to the table. Each dish is presented to the standard of a fine dining restaurant with more ingredients, tastes and flavours incorporated than expected. This ‘wow factor’ was a theme running throughout every dish enjoyed from Chef Jon Smith and his team.

We were impressed from start to finish, from the pub/restaurant, to our luxury room, great dining experience and staff going out of their way to make our stay special. We’re already planning our next stay and dine getaway at The Plough.

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‘PIZZA FELLA’S NEW HOME BRINGS NAPOLI TO THE PEOPLE OF LEEDS’

What used to be Pulse and Cocktails on Vicar Lane (if you know, you know) is now Pizza Fella. With its simplistic yet warming interior, you’d struggle not to feel welcomed within a few seconds.

Their wood fired pizza oven that has no doubt made its way from Italy, holds a strong presence and looks almost like an Angry Birds character (a friend mentioned this so quoting him). I opted for a San Pellegrino Pomegranate to accompany my ‘number three’ pizza, ‘San marzano, fior di latte, anchovies, capers & olives’. My friend who wasn’t up for eating anchovies or nduja (heavenly spreadable salami) so went for ‘number two’ – their classic margarita. Faultless.

We rounded off the evening with shots of limoncello and an espresso. The staff were funny, welcoming and generally great hosts, with a great vibe and food to match. We’ll be back. Next week.

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‘DEVONSHIRE ARMS HOTEL & SPA:
STAY AND EIGHT COURSE SURPRISE TASTING MENU REVIEW’

As one of the jewels of the UK’s country house hotels, a sleep and dine experience at The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa, had been on our bucket list for a while. We booked our getaway to sample their 3AA Rosette award-winning Burlington restaurant, with its exciting modern British menus from Paul Evans, one of the UK’s most talented young chefs.

The Devonshire Arms is an old coaching house dating back to the 17th century, so expect open fires and spacious yet cosy rooms, with stylish country décor. We opted to go all out and chose their surprise eight course-tasting menu and accompanied wine flight. Well if you’re going to indulge you may as well do it properly. The dress code is formal as the Burlington restaurant is a real treat affair but there is a nice atmosphere from diners and staff both enjoying the evening and experience. The food, presentation, service and overall experience was incredible.

The next morning we awoke to snow across the Yorkshire Dales and despite still being full from the night before we indulged in a ‘Yorkshire breakfast’ with locally sourced bacon, sausage and black pudding. From start to finish The Devonshire Arms felt like luxury, we couldn’t have asked for a nicer setting and dining experience with such warm, knowledgeable and attentive staff. We can’t wait to come back to try out the spa!

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‘SIR DUKES BAR & GRILL WETHERBY REVIEW:
‘DEBAUCHERY AT THE BUTCHERY’ AND SO MUCH MORE’

Known for their high quality produce, mighty sharing boards and atmospheric setting, we had to pay a visit to sample Sir Dukes Bar & Grill’s amazing menu. Not much about their style is given away until you enter, feeling like you have stepped into somewhere different and exciting. Quirky décor with random and interesting decorations everywhere and cool music.

Looking forward to the juicy steaks ahead and ready to indulge we went straight for their a la carte menu, eyes going first to their meaty sharing boards. Browsing through Sir Dukes social media the mains are the star of the show, but the starters are not to be overlooked. Our two generous sharing boards chosen ‘Debauchery at the Butchery’ and ‘Le Chateaubriand’ really showed off the quality of Sir Dukes produce. Perfectly cooked and presented.

We can see why Sir Dukes is a firm favourite, with their quirky and atmospheric setting, friendly and knowledgeable staff and quality produce that is absolutely delicious. We’re looking forward to going back to sample their extensive drinks list. If you love steak then Sir Dukes has got to be at the top of your list!

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JORO SHEFFIELD REVIEW “A MEAL BUILT OF MANY SMALL PLATES”

We had the pleasure of experiencing Sheffield’s most highly anticipated new restaurant, Jöro (pronounced Yoro). For those of you that haven’t witnessed their incredible Instagram images or been living under a rock recently, they’ve pretty much turned the Sheffield restaurant scene on its head.

Located in KRYNKL – a revolutionary new space created for independent businesses, made entirely out of reclaimed shipping containers, couldn’t be a more fitting home for this forward thinking restaurant, that showcases the best local ingredients in their ever changing ‘hyper seasonal’ menu. The concept is ‘a meal made of many small plates’, so you can have as little or as much as you want, snacking as you go. Being greedy and keen to experience their new dishes we went for the 12 courses!

This really was one of the best culinary experiences we’ve had in a long time, not just a tasting menu or your normal night in a restaurant but a real experience. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and insight into chefs Luke French and Blake Cooper preparing, presenting and explaining each dish with so much passion and love towards their seasonal ingredients. Good luck getting a table – when word gets out this urban restaurant will have guests queuing out of the door.

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QUBANA RESTAURANT’S EXCITING NEW £1M INVESTMENT TO TRANSFORM WAKEFIELD’S RESTAURANT AND NIGHTLIFE SCENE

Qubana restaurant in Wakefield which opened in October 2008 has always been a firm favourite amongst the city’s diners. A great place to go for a cocktail or two, to indulge in their large tapas selection with friends or to enjoy their live music nights. The owners now have much grander and exciting plans that will transform Wakefield’s restaurant and nightlife scene.

The large and characterful old Barclay’s Bank on Wood Street, one of the city centre’s nicest streets, is going to be the new home for Qubana. Upon visiting we were absolutely blown away by the building, its grand décor and characterful features. Spending nearly £1M extensively restoring the building from top to bottom it has now been transformed, with a number of different areas to the building, all with their own unique offerings.

Set to open its doors to the public on Saturday 4th February 2017, the re-development of the old bank and the expansion of Qubana will bring an extra 20-30 jobs to the city centre, increase footfall to support the surrounding restaurants and bars and breathe new life into the cities dining and nightlife scene.

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UPCOMING YORKSHIRE FOODIE EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY

14.02.16 – With Valentine’s Day just around the corner Yorkshire Food Guide have handpicked some of the best restaurants and foodie getaways for the big day.

‘Yorkshire’s best Valentine’s Day restaurants & romantic getaways’ Read the article.

17.02.16 – ‘The Big Friday Feast’ is coming to Leeds, hosted in the new Leeds Kirkgate Market event space following a £13M re-vamp. A night of drinks, eats and indie beats set in the quirky new venue of Leeds Kirkgate Market. Find out more.

24.02.16 – Get your gin on at Gin Festival, described in Timeout as one of the “Top 10 things to do in 2016”. Hosted in the amazing York Barbican, Yorkshire Food Guide have the last four tickets up for grabs. Enter the competition.

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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