Guests get comfortable during a Yorkshire Life lunch at one of York’s best located hotels, reports Esther Leach Photographs by Andy Bulmer.
There are few things better than having an intriguing conversation over a glass of fine wine and delicious food. There were questions but very few answers on our table during a Yorkshire Life lunch at the Dean Court Hotel 2AA rosette restaurant in the centre of York. Could there be forgotten tunnels that lead from the hotel in Duncombe Place to York Minster just across the road, we wanted to know. After all, the hotel was once home to clergy who belonged to the minster.
Hotel general manager Simon Murphy kept us guessing and answered saying ‘could be, you never know’. Guests, it seems, would have to do their own research to discover the answers. The hotel’s heritage and its location close to one of the most visited cathedrals in Europe are pluses in anyone’s book but they are not the only attractions.
The food and drink we enjoyed in the DCH restaurant that day more than satisfied appetites and guests lingered, comfortably chatting, long after lunch had officially ended.
Head chef John Malia emphasised the importance of close partnerships with regional food producers as guests congratulated him on the food he had prepared. He said he valued the honesty and expertise of the suppliers he worked with regularly including R & J Butchers in North Yorkshire who have their own herd of cattle and Hodgson Fish of Hartlepool who provided the cod for the first course, landed the day before at Whitby.
The 37-bedroom hotel is undergoing refurbishment and Simon Murphy who arrived 18 months ago is looking forward to a new era in its longstanding presence in York. ‘We are an independently owned hotel with a very good quality restaurant in one of the best locations in the centre of York opposite York Minster. We value our heritage and the special location we enjoy here in one of the most visited cities in the country.
‘But it’s not just about location and heritage. It’s about meeting our guests’ expectations and beyond. We like to make our guests feel special and that is done in paying attention to the detail of their stay, anticipating their individual needs. Staff who are friendly and attentive without being intrusive are invaluable in helping to ensure a guest has a memorable stay with us.
‘They are staff who notice the little things that might not be mentioned such as a birthday or anniversary and which we can then offer our congratulations with a gift of some kind. These details count towards making a guest feel special.’
Food and drink are vital of course, in presenting a full hospitality package. ‘There is huge competition from the many restaurants in York but we have an exceptional and talented chef and we like to think we can offer food and drink consistently expertly prepared with the finest, freshest locally produced ingredients,’ added Simon. Our lunch guests certainly had no complaints.
Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe Place, York YO1 7EF 01904 625082 deancourt-york.co.uk
Menu
To start
Pan fried cod cheeks, Yorkshire chorizo, curried mussel with saffron cream
To follow
Braised shoulder of Yorkshire lamb, confit breast, honey roast roots, rosemary infused mash, red wine jus
To finish
Chocolate and blackberry fondant with foraged damson ice cream
Wine notes from Nick Walne of House of Townend
Gardet Brut Tradition NV, Chigny-les-Roses, Champagne
Altogether fresh with a full-bodied consistency, fine acidity and a balance between creamy and bold. Served as the house Champagne in the House of Commons and also at Lords Cricket Ground (MCC).
St Veran 2015, Vers Les Monts, Domaine Roger Luquet, Burgundy, France
This elegant, oak-free Chardonnay exhibits rich pear and apple flavours with a crisp, mineral-laden finish. Roger Luquet is regarded as one of the best producers of St Veran. Perfect with fish and seafood dishes with rich flavours.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2012, Giuseppe Lonardi, Veneto, Italy
Ripasso refers to the re-passing of Valpolicella Classico through the pressed, raisined skins used for making Amarone. These skins are aromatic, high in alcohol and flavour, and are very valuable; that is why true Ripasso is a small production wine. This offering from Lonardi has lush cranberry notes with chocolate that epitomises the lovely characteristics of Corvina. High in acidity, a perfect match for lamb.
Pocas 10 Year Old Tawny Port
A great offering from The House of Poças, this port comes from a combination of different wines, from various harvests throughout the years, matured in wood, equalling an average age of 10 years. It has a woody bouquet of dried fruits and raisins, is full-bodied, irresistible and complex, with a long lasting finish of dried plums. Tawny Ports work well with rich desserts such as chocolate and treacle tart.
House of Townend, North Ferriby, near Hull 01482 638888 houseoftownend.com
