The Grand Cookery School has, over the last four years, firmly established itself as a highlight of the York food scene from its base at the bottom of the magnificent Grand Hotel. I’ve been lucky enough to do a few courses there over its life and enjoyed them all, learning a lot and eating a…
(Ad – PR visit) York has recently developed a rather disturbing habit of tearing down buildings only to rebuild something of equally debatable merit on the same site. Older more notable buildings are obviously protected from this trend but, with the welcome exception of Stonebow, it’s rare to see some of the less well conceived…
A consistently good Chinese that delivers (literally and figuratively) is something that I’ve struggled to find in York since my days living in South Bank close enough to The Golden Horse to indulge myself. Several have sporadically come up with the goods but none seem able to sustain it. One that I’ve never quite got…
(Ad – PR visit) I recently popped along to Hotel du Vin York for Sunday Lunch and found it to be a well resolved balance of a dearly loved British tradition with a few French elements which was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a few indulgent hours on a Sunday. Now they have a…
The Principal Hotel right next to York train station is one of the most striking buildings in York and a grand sight for visitors to arrive to. In years gone by it had been somewhat neglected to the point that I resented when its meeting rooms were booked by a previous employer! That’s long in…
Summer is just around the corner! As I type this it might be drizzling outside but yesterday was sunny and the Ice Cream boat at the Millennium Bridge has returned so brighter days can’t be too far over the horizon. Before long York’s plentiful beer gardens will be well stocked with happy punters and tourists…
The sight of City Cruises boats giving tourists a view of York’s riverside is a familiar one, especially if you live near the Millennium Bridge (as I do). They’re a mainstay of the city’s tourism offering which makes great use of one of our natural resources, turning the River Ouse into a great alternative viewpoint…
Pies can be a bit of a minefield and inspire strong emotions. Many is the time at a function where a pie is promised and what is delivered is a stew with a cursory sheet of puff pastry plonked on top; generally satisfying enough, but certainly not a pie. Taking things rather more seriously are…
York does rather well for wine these days. Since Pairings started blazing a trail for quality wine in relaxed surroundings, there have been a few others recently enter the fray with places such as Howl, 2ManyWines, The Wright Place and Jorvine all throwing their corks into the ring. The latest to join this group is…
When ruminating on a recent visit to Yahala Mataam I was pondering the tailing off and subsequent resurgence of pop-ups in our city so it rather makes sense to continue with another that I attended just the following night to neatly illustrate my point. Melk on Clifford St has firmly established itself now as a…