To ask for your York suggestions for DH 40th Birthday?

[SnowiestMountain]

Apologies, posting for traffic, also posted in UK section but think it's pretty quiet there!

I'm thinking of a quick trip to York for DH 40th Birthday. I want something suitably fancy but doesn't cost ££££, budget about £250 for accommodation and dinner.

I thought perhaps The Principal for accommodation and maybe The Starr Inn the City for dinner? These are just from a google search so feel free to recommend anywhere better!

DH was a Head Chef for many years, so he does like naice food but definitely not in a 'white tablecloths & best behaviour environment!'

Any suggestions for, well anything would be appreciated!

Just back from a trip to York.

I would recommend Rustique.

It's just round the corner from Star Inn.

The food at Hotel Du Vin is really good - as is the accommodation, actually!

Ooh lovely, thank you!

The Star in the City is mediocre. I've been there three times, and have been massively unimpressed each time. A lot of fuss about very little, and not somewhere I'd go for a special birthday. I would also advise you steer clear of Carluccio's (bad food, and very noisy, though the coffee is good). Hotel du Vin is nice, though I wasn't overly impressed by the food (also very expensive, even just for coffee). I would recommend Partisan and Skosh (both on Micklegate). Ambiente Tapas is also good, IME. There's a great Indian on Bishopthorpe Road, a bit further out of town, but still walkable (Lalquilas). The Rattle Owl (also Micklegate) is supposed to be excellent, though I haven't tried it. Pairings Wine Bar is good, though I've never had a proper meal there (just wine and bits). A friend has just told me not to bother with The Ivy or Mr P's Curious Tavern, so that's another two off the list!

I had the

I had the best tapas I’ve ever had in my life at Ambiente last year, and the sherry was amazing too!

Rustique is lovely, one of my bosses favourite places to eat. All the meals i've ad there have been delicious
The Ivy has just opened - could be worth a look, have also heard good things about Ambiente.
Have the Grand any accommodation offers? Lovely hotel but not heard great things about the restaurant

The pies in ' House of Trembling Madness' are superb if you fancy something a little less posh but absolutely delicious.

Your budget will just about get you a night out and accommodation in York, it's lovely ( if you can avoid going when it's a race weekend), and you can normally avoid all the hen and stag do's - of which there are many.

We stopped in a lovely City Centre apartment, but it sounds like you want a nice hotel experience.

Good luck!

Another one unimpressed by Star in the city. Also married to an ex-chef, we really like Barbekan. Eastern European/Polish food and a nice, cosy restaurant.

This is so helpful, thank you! The Grand does look lovely too and not massively pricey (£137)

Afternoon tea at the Grand is a must!

The Grand is awesome and they have the best continental breakfast buffet I've ever seen. Would agree that the restaurant isn't quite as good so worth eating out.

Maybe The Grand then...

We went to Rattle Owl in October and it was lovely - nice atmosphere too.

Skosh is lovely and a bit cheaper. Review by Big Jay here: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/05/skosh-york-restaurant-review

And, of course, afternoon tea at Betty's!

If your DH is into history, there is the Cold War Bunker a bit off the beaten track.

I second Rustique for dinner. My absolute favourite in York!

Check out Hotel Du Vin. Sometimes they have some great offers

We were really impressed at The Ivy on our recent visit. The food was a good as the original and the service was excellent.
You’ve reminded me to put a review on Tripadvisor.

We used to go to a restaurant like Rustique when we were first together (20 years ago!) so that might be nice!

Oh The Ivy looks beautiful too!!

+1 for Rustique, it's lovely.
Also Betty's - mmmmm!

Love Rustique! We stayed at the hotel du vin on our wedding anniversary last year and had a beautiful room and meal plus breakfast for about 230 quid. The best meal I've had was at the crab and lobster in thirsk... slightly further afield but beautiful and the rooms are all themed! The ones with private hot tubs are a bit more expensive but the others are around 170 pound.
Alternatively marmadukes is a lovely boutique hotel and we stayed there on our wedding night... had a sauna in the bathroom!

If you like Thai then Khao San Road is fabulous

Spoilt for choice!!

Rustique is lovely.
Haven't heard great things about dinner at The Star in the city, but apparently does a great breakfast!
I've always wanted to try The Blue Bicycle (has a few rooms too), but it is still shut after flooding (due to open later this year).
Definitely go for afternoon tea at Betty's ( www.bettys.co.uk/bettys-york). Cafe no. 8( cafeno8.co.uk/) is small but the food was lovely when we went a few years ago, not sure what it's like these days (don't go out much anymore )
The Ivy (theivyyork.com/) has recently opened and is getting rave reviews by all who go.

Couldn't advise on hotel, as never needed to stay in one, but tripadvisor (www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelsList-York-Boutique-Hotels-zfp7737.html) might help.

We stayed this year for my husband's birthday. We were at The Minster Hotel, which is just outside the wall and literally five minutes walk from the Minster. The rooms were nice and there was free parking. It included a good breakfast and the staff were lovely.

We ate at a really busy Italian in the shambles, I can't remember it's name, but it was incredibly popular, much busier than anywhere else we went. (Not a chain).

We went to The Minster and climbed the tower (nearly killed me!), and also visited The Counting House, which was nice. A walk round the walls is a must do if the weather is good.

We seemed to end each day at the bar opposite Betty's tea room (looks like an old bank) drinking prosecco!