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!

Honeyroar I think that place is called 'Harkers'?

I second Barbakan, love the food there. (Polish restaurant down Walmgate.)
Never done the whole sit down meal in Betty's thing,as it always looks a total tourist trap nightmare as doesn't matter what time of day the queue always snakes out of the door and round the corner!

I loved my recent visit to the starr inn, the food was amazing and the staff were incredible.

Gromance02 yes I think you're right. The Italian was called Lucia's, I think.

The Grand is amazing, we stay every time we go to York and it's also where DH proposed so I am slightly in love with the place! Cocktails in their Whisky Lounge is also a must!

MsSquiz, i also got engaged at the Grand!

Rustique, barbikan, ambiente all excellent recommendations

Skosh can be pricey and really books a long way in advance.

Ooh, there are two rustique resturants. The one on Castlegate is excellent and consistent with great atmosphere. The other one is lesser in all ways according to everyone I know who has tried both.

I’m going to be a lone voice I think but I loved Star in the City and didn’t like Rustique! It wasn’t bad just quite boring I thought. Also Ambiente is a chain so it’s a shame to go to York and not go to somewhere unique. Melton’s is fab ( short taxi ride ) but not to be confused with Meltons Too. Cafe Concerto nice . Loved The Go Down..near the fire station..excellent traditional food with huge portions.

One of my favourite hotels anywhere is the Deans Court Hotel in York. You can get rooms that face onto the Minster - so close you could hit the walls by throwing a tennis ball from your window. It’s right in the centre. On Palm Sunday, we watched the procession with the donkey into the Minster as we had our breakfast, sipped our last bit of coffee and bobbed in for the service. Really lovely staff who go the extra mile.

Ambiente has two restaurants in York and is possibly opening another soon in a local town. It's not a chain?

Ambiente is a chain.. we have one in my town

Ambiente has four restaurants in total, two in York, one in Leeds and one in Hull. Think they're all owned by the same people so not really a chain.

It's like saying Betty's is a chain as there's one in York and one in Harrogate..

Bloody good tapas anyway.

Hotel Indigo was lovely - & did a fab breakfast too. Its just down the road from Ambiente Tapas which I've heard is great. We went to Lucia for a meal - its got a courtyard where you can dine outside all year round (patio heaters & blankets for colder months) & it was lovely! Would recommend both.

Ooh Sorry, they have two more actually, if forgotten about those still a family run business, not Wagamama

Should have refreshed

Well I class that as a chain rather than an individual restaurant. My point is York is full of places that are genuinely unique so I would recommend trying one of those instead

Not a star Inn the city fan here either, I think it's overpriced for fairly average food.

Rustique (not the one on lendal) is nice. The restaurant at the Grange Hotel is nice but possibly the wrong side of town (I wouldn't stay there)

Hotel wise you can't really go wrong with the grand or the principal, both gorgeous with great locations.

Afternoon Tea in the Countess of York in the Railway Museum or at Bettys. Dinner at Rustique or Trembling Madness. Visit the Treasurers House, Castle Museum or trip to Castle Howard just outside York. And a ghost walk - or the ghost bus - for a guided spooky night time tour.

Had a lovely meal at The Botanist a few weeks ago. It’s on Stonegate.

Hotel - Grays Court Hotel, never heard a bad review, and it’s a lovely location.

Botanist another chain! I am not against chains honestly!

Grange Hotel is nice..had my wedding reception there. Also agree with PPs re Lucia’s...lovely food and nice atmosphere

Final suggestion .. The 1331 although it’s a few years now since I’ve been there. Hope you have a great time OP..York really is a lovely place.

Skosh is great! I live in York and I'm married to a head chef and it's always his first choice to visit

I love Mr P's (they have a great gin selection) and there is a gorgeous Thai tapas place on grape lane. If you are into wine then cave de cochon on Fossgate have an incredible wine collection. I would also recommend trembling madness for a drink!

If you do fancy The Botanist on Stonegate (even if it's just for a drink) then drop me a pm and I will make sure you are looked after