Gilbert's Restaurant, Grimsdyke Hotel - Full Marks

Grimsdyke hotel always impresses with its drive through the trees to the grand house. Inside, Gilbert's restaurant seems to have a freshly painted arch over the fireplace and spotlights, brightening up the old place, and modern chairs. We sat debating how much one should change Victorian decor, especially in a historic house once owned by local hero Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan team who wrote comic operas. ('I've got a little list', of his operas.)
   The recent reviews on TripAdvisor were encouraging and our experience confirmed what I had read.
   The set meal started with a wider choice than on the website and not the extra charge I had feared, the only extra being £2 for a starter.
   We asked for a jug of water and ordered a glass of Prosecco, at £6 slightly dearer than the glass of pink wine. The bread was a choice of sultana bread or white with onion, with warm melting butter. Not brilliant but good enough. However, as soon as we started on the proper meal, the tastes and visuals took off.
  The liver parfait, a chicken liver smooth paste.

Chicken liver parfait starter.

Duck with potato.

Steak and large chips.

Summer pudding with fresh berries inside and a fresh strawberry as decoration.

Fresh decor, a mixture of Victorian from Gilbert's day and modern.

Photos by Angela Lansbury. copyright Angela Lansbury. (More pictures available.)

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, travel writer and photographer, author, speaker.