In a picnic frame of mind
Grab a rug and a mug! The people at TeaHee café in Easingwold provide a perfect selection of sweet and savoury nibbly treats. Ideal for a day at the races, proms in the park or a ladies lunch with a difference. Picnics are packed into wicker hampers (or jute bags) lined with cool packs to keep the contents in tip-top condition. Their chums at the Durham Ox can provide picnic sized champagne.
Time for tea
The Grand manages to look the part, offering a sense of afternoon tea occasion with a cool touch. Surroundings are dressy-up sumptuous but you can have a cheeky Hendrick’s G&T in your teapot. Afternoon Tea is a feast for the eyes as well as tastebuds on its silver stand.
Fill those baskets
Henshelwood’s Deli sits on the edge of Newgate Market near The Shambles, right in the heart of York. Home-made specialities include Whitby crab and chicken liver pates, traditional potted beef, seasonal terrines including ham hock, parsley & lemon or rabbit & prune, plus daily changing quiches in summer. Cooked up by Kirk Vincent, ex-head chef at Antonio Carluccio’s Neal Street restaurant. Posh picnic packages for race days too.
Eat well
Star Inn the City is a short step from York Station with prime riverside position by the river. Perfect brunch or a blow-out option, the kitchen touch comes from chef Andrew Pern. Try a starter of a bowl of traditional Yorkshire Puddings with ‘Two Chefs’ ale & root vegetable gravy.
Hotel du Vin in York is in one of the city’s loveliest historic buildings. Add in the seasonal summery ‘Al Fresco’ menu which includes a glass of pinot, either pinot blanc Biescher Schaal from Alsace or pinot noir from the Loire Valley and lunch becomes a fine occasion. The menu features dishes from across France, including Bayonne Ham with celeriac remoulade and Normandy chicken cob salad, made with Roquefort cheese and roast pancetta.
A new range of al fresco drinks includes the ‘Hotel du Vin Garden Spritz’, made with Hendrick’s Gin, raspberries and lime topped with Crémant d’Alsace Rosé, or ‘Pomegranate and Lime Fizz’ with Eritoff vodka, Pama pomegranate liqueur and egg whites. Two courses start from £17.95 and three courses from £20.95 which includes a glass of wine.
Lay your head
Lendal Tower takes turret to another level. You can view the city from your rooftop terrace by the river. An apartment packed with history but bursting with contemporary cool too.
Diary date – York Food Festival
June 6-7, Food Festival taster days. Main Festival 18-27 September
