I’ve always thought it a little strange that Bishopthorpe Road has lacked a significant variety of places to eat in the evenings. There’re well established cafes with excellent reputations open throughout the day, but if you’ve enjoying the charms of one of the country’s most reputed high streets in the evening, your eating choices are limited to Thai or curry despite the presence of excellent pubs such as the Swan and the Slip. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with either of these offerings, there’s felt like a lack of casual dining that the family friendly environment is crying out for. This is where the Angel on the Green steps in.
After moving the majority of its business to Hospital Fields Road, Cycle Heaven has downsized its operation on Bishy Rd and given over the rest of the premises to eating and drinking in conjunction with the same partner as runs the food side of the offering on Hospital Fields Road. The space feels light and comfortable with several spaces to eat and a small bar, all available while the majority of service is at your table rather than the bar. Having visited at lunch time and for an evening meal, I can attest on both occasions to there being plenty of buggy parking for the ladies who lunch that seem to target this area, for whom the Angel on the Green is perfectly pitched.
The food offering is largely split between tapas style dishes and pizza with a few specials broadening the menu’s appeal to offer chilli stew etc. Having been overwhelmed by three tapas dishes when visiting for lunch, we opted to let our evening meal extend to a pizza and three tapas dishes between three people. Patatas bravas and breaded chicken bites alongside a caper and anchovy pizza from the specials menu were selected to sacrifice themselves while we selected a bottle of white to share while we waited. We noted that the prices were very reasonable and arguably pitched below the standard of service and decor evident.
While we waited, we were offered some pea and feta croquettes to act as a tasty conversational aid along with delicious bread from Zuzu’s Bakery, about which you’ll be hearing much more soon. Presented on totally trendy avocado puree and with a balsamic reduction artfully drizzled onto the plate, we took down the dish with minimal discussion before the rest of our order turned up. Ever since the Fulford Arms was left without a food offering when the chef made tracks for Germany, I’ve been waiting to find another pizza in a casual dining establishment at a reasonable price, so it’s something of a relief to find that here. I won’t go as far as saying this betters Holly’s efforts (he might read this!) but it entirely justifies itself and will form the basis of many repeat visits. Caper and anchovy worked as well as one would expect of such a classic combination and it’s clear that the quality of the bases will support many, varied toppings for me to explore.
The tapas dishes were all of a high standard: patatas with a decent spice shove to the palate and moist chicken hitting the spot nicely, so the spread felt rounded and filling even though we perhaps ordered something of a mish mash of dishes. The wine was good value and for three of us, the bill came to £45 including a decent tip. At that price and in this location all the right marks for value and quality are ticked off neatly. The Angel is a welcome addition to Bishopthorpe Road offering good food, good drinks, good value and good service. It will be a massive surprise if The Angel on the Green doesn’t go from strength to strength.
