Harrogate's West Park has given its courtyard and bar a makeover, making it one of the most attractive looking spots for an alfresco lunch in the city.
Diners and drinkers at the former coach house can now make the most of the gorgeous summer weather, thanks to the addition of a new retractable roof and outdoor bar in the courtyard.
It's also introduced some new food and drink menus, which champion local Yorkshire produce at every turn - from fruit and veg to Yorkshire-farmed Warrendale wagyu beef.
In fact, bosses are so committed to growing local that the hotel even has its own kitchen garden in the Walled Gardens of Mount St John, Felixkirk.
The roof here can easily be closed if the weather turns and the hotel also has another trick up its sleeve to keep you warm: heated seats.
Yes, the delicate teal booths conceal heated pads to give you that added boost of warmth if needed. These can be turned on or off at your request.
The new outdoor bar is well stocked with local and international ales, spirits and wines. West Park has also created a brand new cocktail menu, featuring such delights as the rhubarb and wild berry sour.
On the food side, meanwhile, choices range from rump of Yorkshire Warrendale wagyu beef and peppered tuna sashimi, to Indian spiced pulled chicken wrap, and warm goats cheese and roast mediterranean vegetables.
Already famous for its warm Yorkshire welcome, culinary delights, and stunning views of the lush green Harrogate Stray, the hotel now has even more things to recommend it.
Speaking of the refurbishment, a spokesperson for the hotel group said:
‘’The privilege of welcoming back our loyal customers alone is quite something after a turbulent year, but to be able to knock them for six with our eye-popping makeover makes it even better.
"The design is beautiful and the heated seating, heat lamps and retractable roof ensure we can welcome guests come rain or shine.’
‘’The makeover is the result of public demand, with more of our customers seeking out alfresco venues to soak up as much of the sun as they can.
"It’s the perfect setting to unwind and indulge in what I believe to be our most ambitious and mouth-watering food menus to date, especially for those that love their hearty British comfort food, prime steak and seafood.
"We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to The West Park Hotel.’’
Part of the award-winning Provenance Inns Group, the hotel is connected to a string of gastro pubs and boutique hotels located around the North of England. For more information and to book, head to its website.
Eats
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Georgina Pellant -
10th June 2021 
