Whilst searching for a rental property in North Yorkshire, we visited a house in Kirkby Malzeard,…read moregreat house, but before committing we walked the village and the local pub, we were totally convinced by the great hospitality, food and really helpful manager, Rocky. Great atmosphere, the food is very yummy and we'll give the Rabbit pie 5 stars. We're proud to call this our local from now on !

Whilst staying at Ivy bank campsite one very rainy weekend we nipped to the local pub for some food…read moreand drink what a lovely family run pub with great food and a proper local pub atmosphere look forward to coming back in better weather

Well, the inside has been changed and made much more homely with the arrival of David, Hugh,…read moreRebecca and Helen. Much more welcoming with a clever range of food. Pork pies from Appletons or Hugh's duck paté with foie gras for example. Suffolk cyder, Black Sheep, and "bitte ein Bit" are complemented by a classy short wine list. A lovely pub that will develop into a destination beauty when the stables are re-furbished. Accommodation is available, but limited, as the rooms are getting re-modeled to a high, comfy standard during 2010. I'm glad I found this pub on my hols in Wensleydale. Can't wait to return in the Spring PJS - Devon, Dec 2009

Great pub ambience especially in winter, log fires, traditional food executed gastropub style. You…read morewill often get a shooting party in there for a drink and meal - a very country experience in a fabulous small village. Definitely recommend it.

Late Aug 2016 menu was outstanding the village is very pretty as well had a 3 duck starter with…read morehandmade crumpets in place of bread. Staff brought us out a mini handmade prawn cocktail starter. Fab. My husb crab soup was stunning cannot rave enough about this place

This pub was a perfect spot for a quick lunch and pint. We were staying just outside of Masham and…read morewalked into town for a bite and visit. The pub owner or manager was very pleasant and helpful. Our food (fish and chips and chicken tikka curry) was cooked to order and quite tasty. The inside is welcoming and cozy - furnished with a pleasant mismatch of tables and chairs.

We booked a long weekend trip to Masham and called into the Bruce Arms for something to drink. The…read morepub was nicely decorated and it had a pleasant, cosy feel with open fireplaces. There was outside seating to the front and rear, with picnic style tables and the beer garden overlooked the cricket ground and surrounding countryside. The bar was very clean and the bar staff were pleasant, chatty and efficient. There was a good selection of beer and a good choice of wine and soft drinks, though the prices were a little high for the amount we are used to paying, however they were average for this area. The food menu was mainly typical "pub grub" although there was also a Specials Board with something different on offer. The food that other customers had ordered looked lovely so we decided to stay for a meal. I had a lovely chicken dish from the Specials Board and my partner went for the gammon and egg. We decided to return to the Bruce Arms the next day and, as it was a very warm afternoon, we sat outside in the beer garden and enjoyed the sun and the lovely views, with a few drinks, of course!

Cozy little country pub. Set menu... very, very local place. Be prepared to get surprised looks…read moreif you walk in there. :)

I have never felt so unwelcome when entering a pub the bloke behind the bar stopped us whilst we…read morewere finding a table by asking "can I help you?" In a manner as if we had just walked behind the bar and started helping ourselves. He then continued to ask if we had a reservation again in a manner as if to say if you don't well you're not welcome. Can honestly say it was the worst welcome I've had from any business. Never even had a chance to try the drinks or food as I don't think the bloke could have coped if we asked him to actually serve us. Wish we had checked the other negative reviews before trying the place as they all tend to point towards the same issue, the clown behind the bar.

Middle of nowhere, casual dress, Michelin-starred…read more My husband and I went out of our way to eat and stay here. Was it worth the 3 hour journey from London (2-hr train ride, 1-hr by car) to make our reservation from 6-months earlier? Absolutely. Courses are small, but plenty. Staff are immensely courteous and thoughtful (they made a custom menu for our dietary needs and even had the chefs sign it before we left). And the setting couldn't be more idyllic. I'd suggest getting the wine pairing as it really completes the meal. Go ahead and stay the night as breakfast is included the next day. Just make sure to work out your travel from the train station to the restaurant. It really is out in the sticks.

An absolutely fantastic experience enhanced by the charming and beautiful countryside that The…read moreBlack Swan at Oldstead is nestled within - an area that I wouldn't have visited otherwise but am grateful for having done so. Make sure to make a small detour to Kilburn to see The Kilburn White Horse which stands firmly in the hillside. The Black Swan is a beautiful picturesque old pub full of warmth and charm. Upon arrival you are welcomed into the bar area for aperitifs where a log fire crackles and glows. Make sure to notice the Robert Thompson mouse carved into the bar. Great selection of small batch gins - I enjoyed a glass of Sir Robin of Locksley from Sheffield with tonic. Amuse bouche are served here before moving upstairs to the restaurant. The Smoked Eel and Apple Tartlets were light and well balanced in their flavours whilst the Chicken Dumpling was rich, satisfying and would sit well on the finest of dim sum plates in Hong Kong. The restaurant is more modern in decoration with an "open kitchen" where some of the dishes are prepared with a clear artistic love and attention to detail. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. Good selection of wines for most palates and wallets. I had the 10 course tasting menu which, at £85, felt like a bargain compared to the price of Michelin starred food in major cities. To start, a Mussel with Oyster Leaf canapé - so perfectly decorated that it felt wrong to eat it, but so tasty. Next up Langoustine with Caramelised Whey, served like a lollipop with a twig to hold it with - lovely textures and cooked to perfection. Venison Tartare followed - a small dish but rich in flavour and beautifully prepared and decorated. Sour Bread and Sour Butter was distinctive and a good filler in preparation for the main courses. The Monkfish with Asparagus and Onion, although delicious, was probably the weakest dish. The sauce tasted like heavy sweet soy sauce and was a bit overpowering in its saltiness for the delicate flavour of the fish. Still very enjoyable though. The Slowly Cooked Crapaudine Beetroot was the star of the menu. Cooked in beef fat (I believe), the beetroot takes on a heavier composition and is chewy and almost glutinous with all of the accompanying decorations providing broad and bold flavours. Absolutely fantastic! Scallop Cured with Rhubarb was another standout with the smoothness of the slightly charred scallops countering the tartness of the rhubarb, all tied together with a rich and balanced sauce. Herb-Fed Chicken with Wild Garlic from this Year and Last was another amazing creation with a blanket over the chicken in the form of a garlic leaf. The chicken was more warm than hot but extremely tasty. The first dessert was ice cream (or iced yoghurt?) Lollipops which were wonderfully innovative with their unique flavours. The Sheep's Milk with Douglas Fir Oil was also an memorable dessert with natural tastes of the season. The final dessert, served with coffee was Cake made from Artichoke, Chicory Root and Thyme. The combination worked well although the chicory root (?) was slightly bitter. A great end to a fantastic meal and experience. For most who visit The Black Swan at Oldstead, a significant journey will be involved but don't let that put you off...It's well worth the effort and will be one of those great food experiences.