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!

I recommend Mr P's Curious Tavern. It's run by the same guy as The Starr Inn but much better food. I took DH (also a head chef!) there for his birthday and he loved it! It's kind of tapas style dining but with an unusual twist.

Im not that adventurous food wise and looking at the menu I didn't think I'd like anything but it was one of the best meals I've had! Don't let the odd menu put you off!

Also I don't rate Rustique. Maybe we were unlucky but the only time we went there the service wasn't very friendly and the food didn't really make up for it.

Star in City is mediocre. Whippet Inn is nice tho. As is Khao San - the road that's on (Fossgate/Walmgate is a lovely street for a few drinks.

I like the look of the little pods at Judges Lodgings, they're so cute and really central.

@Bobbydeniro69 DONT TELL PEOPLE ABOUT TREMBLING!!!
It’s always so full now 😭😭

Have never stayed in any of the hotels as we live too close!
Lucia’s is an everyday Italian and the last time we went there got terrible service - Del Rios and Little Italy are much nicer.
We like the Star Inn the City, especially drinks in the bar or on the terrace by the river if the weather is nice. Have eaten there several times and it’s always been good and we like the ambience.
Personally would avoid Betty’s, full of tourists, overpriced and always a long queue to go in. But if you are actually a tourist you may like it!
We love Ambiente but it is quite informal, the tapas and drinks are always fab.
We like the bars down on Fossgate, no chains and nice drinks.
The Ivy just opened in December and am hearing good things from people who have been.

York is a fab place although I would check whether there is a race meeting on the dates you are coming. - the town centre gets very busy and quite rough from about 6pm, it’s the only time we ever see fights - race weekends

We were really impressed at The Ivy on our recent visit. The food was a good as the original and the service was excellent.

I haven't been to the York one but have been to another of these new cheap chain Ivys. The building was great, the ambience wonderful. The food was the quality of a waitrose ready meal- certainly nothing at all like going to The Ivy. It is just microwaved bulk catering- cheap but really poor quality (it is really cheap like pizza express/carluccios/zizzi prices)

quite rough

nicely put, how many people urinating can you see in a 100 yard stretch on the walk back from the racecourse.

Yes really good tip about avoiding race weekends - they totally spoil it sadly.

I've checked the dates, we're going in April so no races, phew! Thanks for the warning though! We lived in Chester for a while and it was exactly the same with the races there, grim!