The Yorke Arms

Only when I was 'on expenses', many years ago, did I ever eat in Michelin starred restaurants.
Apart from a couple of experiences in France, in the last 10 years we've never eaten in one and certainly not in England. Today that changed.
Jan's eldest, Ben, and wife Paula, are visiting from Barcelona and, having watched The Trip over there, they decided that a visit to The Yorke Arms was in order.
As it's nearby and as we are still waiting for more visitors to arrive, a small group made the visit much more financially viable (if visits to Michelin starred restaurants could ever be described as financially viable).
Anyway, the weather was promising to be the best of the next few days so a trip into the countryside was going to be combined with this experience. Neither Ben nor Paula nor their daughter, the delightful Kate, had ever ventured this far north before so we were determined to show off the area to the best of our ability.
I know and love the Nidd valley having been introduced to it when I was a youngster by my Uncle Harry, who was born in Lofthouse.
Both Jan and I have visited the Sportsmans Arms several times, which is just down the road, but this was a first for The Yorke Arms.
I must admit that I was a bit worried because we were going with a three years old and a baby to the sort of establishment where you would normally find peace and quiet. Their presence was no problem for the restaurant and the children were obviously welcomed. That took a lot of pressure off the visit. However we needn't have worried because the behaviour of both the children was exemplary. Luke because he was asleep and Kate because she is used to sitting en famille for her meals.
The set price lunch was £35 per head with a choice from three for each of the three courses. I started with a duck and foie gras terrine, followed by venison and finished with a plate of several different chocolate deserts. The others all chose different things and there was nothing but pleasant grunting noises all round the table throughout the meal. Absolutely fabulous. With two bottles of wine the bill for four was £150. Obviously a place for special occasions. Very highly recommended.
After that we headed home but not before we bought pies for dinner in Pateley Bridge and explored Brimham Rocks. A fabulous day.