The Angel at Hetton: North Yorkshire's Culinary Heaven…read more Tucked away in the picturesque countryside of North Yorkshire, The Angel at Hetton is a true gem - a haven for food lovers and a heavenly retreat for those seeking a memorable dining experience. It's a place that feels like a reward for the journey, where the beauty of the landscape is rivaled only by the magic happening in the kitchen. The setting is quintessential Yorkshire charm, with the inn's historic stone exterior and rustic elegance blending harmoniously into the surrounding countryside. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, striking a perfect balance between relaxed comfort and understated sophistication. Whether you're a local or a visitor, you'll feel instantly at home. The menu is nothing short of extraordinary. Celebrated for its Michelin-starred cuisine, The Angel offers dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Every plate is a testament to the team's passion for showcasing seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, prepared with care, creativity, and respect for the flavors of the region. From the first bite of a perfectly executed amuse-bouche to the last spoonful of a decadent dessert, every course tells a story. Their tasting menu is a journey in itself, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that highlight the best of modern British cuisine. Dishes like Yorkshire lamb with wild garlic or North Sea fish with foraged herbs bring the surrounding landscape to life on your plate. For those who prefer à la carte, the options are equally impressive. The slow-cooked beef, served with seasonal vegetables, is a standout, while the desserts, such as the rhubarb tart or a perfectly balanced chocolate fondant, provide a sweet, memorable finale. Complementing the culinary excellence is a wine list that has been curated with as much care as the menu itself. From crisp whites to robust reds, there's something to pair with every dish, making the meal a full sensory experience. The service at The Angel is exceptional--attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable yet approachable. The staff's enthusiasm for the food and their genuine warmth elevates the dining experience to something truly special. While it might be a bit of a trek for most, the journey to The Angel at Hetton is part of the charm. The surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills and quaint villages, sets the stage for an experience that feels like a retreat from the everyday. Once you arrive, you're rewarded with food, ambiance, and hospitality that make every mile traveled worth it. The Angel isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination - a magical place where the best of Yorkshire's culinary and natural beauty come together. For those lucky enough to visit, it's a dining experience that lingers in the memory long after the last bite. Five stars and my highest recommendation.

This place would have been a 4* but a few basic failures really let them down…read more I came here for a wedding, so I'm going to compartmentalise this into pub, meal, hotel and general wedding things. The pub: Excellent whiskey selection and some really lovely gins. They also had a good bunch of beers and were generally very accommodating. That said, they ran out of lemonade before a wedding, which is pretty poor. And Jaegermeister... The meal: The meal was served in the wine cave, which is beautiful. Generally the meal was excellent, the beef was cooked perfectly and the starter and dessert were good (nothing to write home about though). One thing I noticed was that there were no green vegetables (in a roast!?). Also, they didn't have anywhere near enough staff on, so they didn't take any drinks orders (the pub is over the road). They would have made a killing if they'd done that (and we would have been happier, I really fancied a gin and tonic...) The hotel side of things: The room was lovely, and at the wedding rates it was extremely cheap! Big, beautiful, comfortable, clean, couldn't ask for more. Breakfast was ok, if I'm honest I didn't like having to ask for juice, I was hungover, I wanted all the juice. Checking in was a touch annoying as they sat us down, then went to check other people in who turned up after us, and then checked us in last. Despite being in a rush! General wedding things: The wedding was beautiful. Definitely. But that was despite the many failings, things could have gone more smoothly if they'd had more staff. Like the drinks orders, having the cake ready (the groom had to prompt them) and the tardy check in. Also, they told us the bar closed at 12 and then closed at 1115, which obviously ruffled a few feathers!! Generally, this place is beautiful and I would feel recommend a meal here. But they need to hire more staff and be a lot more organised.

You can always rely on the Harefield for a fabulous Sunday lunch. A stunning old hall tucked off…read morethe side of the road on the descent into Pateley Bridge - really friendly, professional staff and wonderful decor... Always a lovely fire roaring in the bar! Eat in the bar or book a table in the restaurant; groups are always welcome, including kids. The menu includes favourites like game pie, steak and roasts - the Sunday roast comes with amazing Yorkshires and loads of veg! There's a good pudding menu too, although we rarely have room for a second course. Would highly recommend for a pub lunch in the dales

My fiance grew up in Pateley Bridge and while we had been past Harefield many times, and been…read moreimpressed by its beauty, we had never had a reason to stay there until this past January when his Mom had a full house. We couldn't have been more thrilled with every aspect of our visit. It felt like our home from the minute we walked in the door. Elaine, Mike and Jo welcomed us as if we were family, they provided us with a fantastic room, outstanding food, and overwhelming friendship from the minute we met. The treat their guests like family by providing a warm, relaxing, inspiring environment. The weather was unexpectedly horrible and so when we found ourselves snowed in on our morning of departure they let us stay as long as we needed to, gave us free food and drink for our road trip once the roads had cleared, and even let us help shovel snow with them that morning in an effort to share some laughs and blow off our travel frustrations. We look forward to returning, staying with them, and experiencing more great memories together! If you are ever in Pateley Bridge and can't stay the night, at least find reason to stop in for a drink or a bite...you won't regret it!

I'm fully basing this review on the takeaway fish and chips I had from here and the pint I had…read morewhilst waiting for it but based on this 20 mins interaction it was all good! A fairly standard selection of pints, the black sheep was definitely a good choice as it's brewed just up the road and this kept me going while I nattered with the barman. The aforementioned fish and chips were well worth the wait and were super awesome - light batter, tasty homemade chips and lovely mushy peas - at £6.50 each it was a really good choice and great value. Although the restaurant looked a bit dated it is home to an award winning chef from Alsace/Harrogate and definitely has left me with a desire to go back and try the full menu next time I'm in the area. *extra point - there is a little convenience store next door which is run by the pub - open 9-12 each morning*

I stopped off here for lunch yesterday. It was a cold and windy day in the Dales and sitting by the…read morelog fire in the bar couldn't have been more perfect. The internal decor of the place might be considered a little tired, but it felt warm and welcoming. I really couldn't decide what to choose from the menu, it's your standard pub fayre, but I like standard pub fayre - when it's done well. In the end I ordered Sirloin steak and I'm glad I did! It was one of the best steaks I've had in quite a while; cooked perfectly (I ordered rare) and accompanied by really great home cooked chips, mushroom and deliciously crispy onion rings. The meat is supplied from a farm only a couple of miles away, it seems most of the ingredients are locally sourced where possible. The portion size was generous to say the least. Next time I'm in the area I'll definitely be calling in again for a pint and something else off the menu.

We stayed at the Bridge Inn last weekend for a family gathering…read more I found the staff helpful and pleasant and the public areas were comfortable and clean. We had a three course meal which was delicious and very well presented (although it was commented that they didn't really know how to cater for children). Our stay included breakfast which was of the 'eat all you can' variety and really hit the spot with a great selection of hot and cold, healthy and not so healthy dishes. The big let down was the accommodation which cost about four times what you would pay in a premier inn and didn't even come close in terms of space and cleanliness. We had ordered a room with an extra bed for our youngest son and found that with the bed set out we couldn't open the door! To be fair, when we mentioned this at check out the lady immediately knocked off the price of the extra bed.

Well Harrogate is known for some superior living and the Harrogate Brassiere fits that bill. What a…read morenice building it is too. Of course it is a hotel so you can rest your weary head there but it also has a fine eating emporium. Oh yes it does in pantomime style action. This is grand dining with fresh, seasonal and local produce all whipped into some luscious creations. Try the oak roasted salmon fishcakes to start with. They almost melt in the mouth. For a main I went for some mushroom fun (ghi). Sorry bad pun alert! The steaks are cooked to perfection though or you can stick to chicken, duck or whatever takes your fancy. Excellent puddings as to be expected and a totally extravagant dining experience all round. Don't expect it to come cheap, it doesn't but we all need a total blow out sometimes in our lives. We salute you.

Hubby and I went to Harrogate on spec and discovered this little gem, sadly it was fully booked, as…read morewas everywhere else, I can't even remember where we ended up! BUT, Trev arranged suprise trip here in June. We only stayed one night, but what a night. Our room was one of the new ones, happily not new room, just newly decorated, had lots of old features, was clean, tidy and had everything we needed. We booked in and went out exploring for a while, came back and got a bottle of house wine, 2 glasses and a cooler to take up to the room while we got ready for dinner. Dinner was first class. The food was well prepared, well served and there was plently of it. I had the best king prawns I have ever had followed by duck which was cooked to perfection. Trev has sea bass ( I think) and that was delicious too. We don't really do desserts, but folk around us were smacking their lips at theirs, so they must be good too. The wine was a little on the expensive side and nowt flash, but not bad enought to really complain about. We will defo be back as soon as possible, for longer hopefully, and we have recommended it to all our mates, especially those who like a bit of Jazz with their dinner.... nice

A huge part of me left the Punch Bowl frustrated last night. Let me explain…read more A lovely little pub in the village of Marton Cum Grafton, near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, the Punch Bowl could be a place where you could as easily just enjoy a quiet pint of local ale as you could treat someone to a fantastic meal. And it so, so, very nearly is that. I started with a pint of BREW #3, a wheat beer brewed in the Vale Of York by Rudgate Brewery. A very enjoyable drink I must say. Not too strong, with banana and clove tones to it. Very refreshing. Polite service by the chap behind the bar was somewhat extinguished by his more curt and brash female colleagues. A shame, as it made you move from feeling welcomed to feeling like you were bothering them with your presence in one swoop. The food was similarly frustrating. My beetroot and goats cheese tart starter was divine, however the "beetroot crisps" that were to accompany it were, well, more beetroot "folds" - no crispness to them at all! My main was meant to be a rack of local pork ribs with fries and refried beans with a stack of local yorkshire slaw. No complaints about the ribs, they were succulent and full of flavour. However, the refried beans were nothing more than a combination of baked beans with some chopped tomatoes stirred in. Very weak. And the "stack" of slaw was some coleslaw in a small dish no wider than an inch and a half in diameter and an inch deep. Ironically, it was enough, but I wish places wouldn't describe items as one thing and serve them up as another. The meal was finished off with an apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. This, in itself was lovely, no qualms at all. I don't want potential visitors to The Punch Bowl to be put off by this review. It really is a nice spot with the potential to be one of the area's hidden jewels. Just needs a little tidying up of the finer points mentioned above. The beetroot and goats cheese tart, pork ribs and Tarte tatin (along with the tasty ale and the service levels from the guy behind the bar) rescues this one to a three stars instead of a possible two because of the frustrations listed.

First visit here, having been to it's sister the The Durham Ox at Crayke. Friendly from point of…read morephoning to see if there was a table for 2 on Saturday night, rang on the Friday, success! On arrival nice warm atmosphere, had a drink in the bar to look at menu and order. Good choice of pub type food from sandwiches, nibbles to full dinner. Tables in various parts of the building gave a cosy feel to the pub. Good service and good food. Will be back

My room was located in a new part of the hotel which was a long way to pull suitcases, particularly…read morefor my elderly parents. The room was a regular 'corporate' style and had all the regular items you expect to find. There was a cuddly teddy bear on the bed which you can adopt if you ask at Reception. The bathroom was a little tired and needs some updating. There was plenty of hot water, towels and Molton Brown toiletries. The room was refreshed twice a day, which was fab. Breakfast was in the restaurant and there was plenty of cereal, fruit juice and cooked items available which was cooked to order. Delish! The bar prices are expensive. The meal we had in the restaurant was lovely, service was excellent. The prices were expensive. £45 for 3 a la carte courses and £25 from the other menu. You could pick and choose off both. All the staff we came into contact with were great: friendly and nothing was too much trouble.

Turned up here in our jeans and walking boots (not muddy ones though) so when we walked in we were…read morelooked up and down by the supercilious waiter who asked if we were dinning when I confirmed we would he said he would see if they had a table available. They did but not till 9.00 pm as we weren't in a rush we decided we would eat here. We opted for the taster menu and all I can say is it was well worth the wait, the food was cooked and presented to a high standard the wine selection with the food was also excellent. I couldn't help but recommend this place for an evening's meal, it's not on the cheap side but for a special occasion worth the visit if you are looking for good food in nice surroundings.

Have been visiting Royal Oak (Gillamoor) for over 20 years The food is consistantly good, the staff…read moreare always very welcoming, friendly & helpful. The letting rooms are well maintained & comfy