The Globe Troffers

Sunday lunch is always a good benchmark for trying out new dining experiences and today we discovered a new venue that we definitely want to return to.

Waking to clear blue bright skies inspired us to throw the walking boots in the car and head off for a brisk country walk. We should have set off earlier because after our lazy lie-in everybody else had the same idea and the roads were really busy and progress was slow. We decided not to travel too far so Bolton  Abbey was voted the destination of choice and we opted to park and walk from the Strid.

I have wanted to try No.5 Grassington House for some time after reading in Yorkshire Life it was nominated ‘Best Newcomer of the Year’ in 2009 and this was our opportunity. After a longish walk we arrived just before 16.00 and were unsure if they would be still serving lunch? We were greeted in the reception area by the owner/chef John Rudden and offered a table in either the dining room or the bar. Now at a few minutes before service was due to finish and then restart at 18.00 the genuine warm welcome and offer of a table was refreshing. We opted for a window table in the bar area which overlooks the main square in the picturesque village of Grassington where the sun was still streaming through the windows.

The bar offered a good selection of hand pulled draft ales and as I was not driving on this occasion I chose the Hetton Pale Ale brewed just down the road at the Dark Horse Brewery in Hetton. I love Pale Ales and find them refreshing, not too heavy and don’t bloat, this was a good choice and fine example. A selection of breads with oil and butter were brought to the table to accompany our drinks and the staff were a delight with a friendly smile and chat.

A two or three course lunch menu is offered with a good selection of dishes. Linny opted for a Mushroom Risotto to start and I chose the Hash Brown topped with a free range egg and served with an apple chutney and mixed leaf salad all served on a trendy piece of slate. The combination of textures and flavours were excellent and what appears a simple dish was a delight and something I would want to try to recreate at home.

As this was Sunday lunch both of us opted for the traditional Beef and Yorkshire Pudding with roast potatoes and seasonal veg. We were not disappointed, my beef was served pink, very tender, a good thickness  and cooked to perfection with the Yorkshire pudding being crisp and tasty. To accompany the meal I had a glass of house Rioja which was pleasant and robust enough to accompany the beef.

Linny has a thing about Rhubarb at the moment and any opportunity is taken when offered. On this occasion a Rhubarb Fool with shortbread biscuits and mint was on the dessert menu and not passed by.

The two course meal option was £13.00 and was excellent value for the high quality of food and presentation offered. A leaflet from the bar highlighted some of the special events and cookery master classes that are also on offer. Follow the web site links to discover more about No.5 Grassington House. Another snippet from the leaflet mentions John embraces the ‘Field to Fork’ principle and rears his own rare breed pigs which can be found on the menu.

This was a  great find and we shall return maybe to sample dinner or one of the advertised events.

J&L.