The Star Inn The City, York
 Another instalment from #VinkAndGingeUpNorth – mine and Vicky’s recent road trip around North Yorkshire. This time dinner in York at The Star Inn The City. From both my shout out on twitter and conversations with Ben from York on a Fork, we decided upon this place for a couple of reasons. The food sounded good (the owner’s other place just outside the city is Michelin starred) and the location is stunning. So, we booked in and here’s what we thought… 
Inside the restaurant, star in the city york

Initial impressions were sadly a little damaged by the long wait for a drink at a very busy and understaffed bar. However, the restaurant is set in a beautiful modern glass structure attached to an old engine house and the outside area is stunning. We chose to start with a glass of fizz outside but unfortunately, had to sit at a table full of empty glasses which they failed to clear during our time there. In defence of The Star Inn The City, it was a very sunny Saturday evening and the place was jam packed full. Once we headed inside, we were greeted by a very friendly waiter and talked through the specials.

Perhaps it’s just me and please tell me if I’m being pedantic here but I have a real problem with big wipe clean menus. I associate them with chain pubs. Easy to read with big type for all ages and generations. Having heard great things about the quality of the food (and the prices reflecting that), I was certainly surprised to see that exact type of menu here. Even more saddened to see illustrated pictures of generic food items which, whilst quite nicely done, would feel more at home in a cafe or gastro pub. But, menu design aside, the dishes sounded excellent and it was easy for us to make our choices.
 
 

To start, we opted for the Heirloom Tomato Salad with ‘Yorkshire Fettle’ Cheese, Aged Sherry Syrup & Green Gazpacho and a dish from the specials which was from memory an English muffin with caramelised red onion chutney rarebit and beetroot.  We both enjoyed Vicky’s Yorkshire fettle cheese and the tomatoes were good but the gazpacho was watered down too much by the large ice cube in it. My starter was delicious all round. 

Heirloom Tomato Salad with ‘Yorkshire Fettle’ Cheese, Aged Sherry Syrup & Green Gazpacho
English muffin with caramelised red onion chutney rarebit and beetroot


Between mains, we were brought a bi-course to try – something from the specials board – Razor Clams with John Dory, gherkins and olives. Although we were somewhat surprised at the arrival of this complimentary dish (no doubt sent having seen a tweet I’d posted) we soon tucked in and found it really tasty. The fish was cooked beautifully and I really enjoyed the clams although they aren’t to everyone’s taste. The presentation on this dish was also superb. 

Razor Clams with John Dory, gherkins and olives

 

Sadly we really struggled to fit our actual main courses in but as big as both our eyes AND bellies are, we failed to finish and certainly couldn’t have managed dessert. My main dish was the Garlic-braised Shin of Welfare Veal, Saffron Risotto, Plum Tomato & Basil Juices, ‘Burrata & Caponata’. Although the veal was tasty, I was surprised at how it was served (essentially as a large meatball). The risotto was terrible but the creamy burrito did make up for that slightly. In all, for £22, very disappointing. 

Vicky had the Hotch-potch of English Corn-fed Chicken Suprême with Beetroot, ‘Pot Stickies’, Heritage Carrots, Fennel & Lemon Thyme Juices. We asked the lovely waiter what ‘Pot Stickies’ are and he explained they are a kind of dumpling.  The presentation of this dish was nice (the picture doesn’t do it justice) but as with mine, Vicky felt disappointed by it. The chicken was a little dry and the pot stickies were dense and bland. 

Garlic-braised Shin of Welfare Veal, Saffron Risotto, Plum Tomato & Basil Juices, ‘Burrata & Caponata’.
Hotch-potch of English Corn-fed Chicken Suprême with Beetroot, ‘Pot Stickies’, Heritage Carrots, Fennel & Lemon Thyme Juices.
It pains me to write such hard words because I genuinely wanted to love this place. From the location to the look and feel and the helpful waiter but there were just too many rogue elements letting it down. We ate the cheaper dishes on the menu and the bill came to around £70 in total (including two glasses of wine) but with dishes like the Razor Clams & John Dory priced at £29 and fillet steak at £33, this place has the potential to be an expensive night out. For those kinds of prices, the attention to detail in some areas needs to be picked up a notch. 

Square Meal
0 thought on “The Star Inn The City, York”
  1. We walked past there on our recent trip to York. Very pretty spot but we did not visit in the end. We were spoilt for choice though and really enjoyed La Langhe.
    Lx

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