December 20th, 2009
Latest Post: 20th December 09:
After paying a visit to Alex this morning for our Christmas trim, we decided to have a late breakfast at Betty’s Cafe Restaurant and Tea Room in York. With luck on our side, we didn’t have to queue and were offered a window side table where we could watch the freezing cold world outside while tucking into Hot Chocolate and English Breakfast, all beautifully served up by smartly dressed staff, in this famous old fashioned traditional cafe restaurant. The food was excellent and the extra order of english tea, was hot and welcome as we poured it from the silver pot. The only slight problem we had was the hot chocolate originally served up was not that hot, but we forgave them for this given they didn’t charge when we mentioned it.
In the background while we past the time, was an elderly gentleman playing very nice tunes on the old piano that has graced this place for as long as I can remember. Finishing off, I wondered why we don’t do this every Sunday morning… Perfect.
Original Post.
Betty’s Cafe Restaurant and Tea Room on St Helens Square has been open since 1936. Formerly a dilapidated furniture store, Frederick Belmont commissioned designers and craftsman to turn it into a sophisticated and elegant cafe for the people of York. The huge curved windows, elegant wood panelling and ornate mirrors are inspired by the Queen Mary liner’. The first floor Belmont Room according to their website is based on one of her state rooms.
I can remember visiting Betty’s as a lad, with my mum many years ago and even though I didn’t know it, something about the place being suitable for a queen obviously stuck. Even then, it’s reputation for the quality of the food, the afternoon tea served up with silver service were well established, and so were the queues of people patiently waiting to get in. Today was no exception with people waiting outside and the restaurant cafe inside those ornate settings looked as busy as ever with tourists and locals alike.
Since moving to York we have become regular shoppers in the patisserie takeaway that is situated to the left as you enter. Here you can buy the most wonderful freshly baked bread and beautiful cakes imaginable. It is not the cheapest of places to shop, but if you fancy a treat, then you simply cannot beat it. The quality shines through everything you buy and we have never ever been disappointed with anything bought from Betty’s. Quite the reverse actually, everything is simply much better than you expect and we are fortunate to live so near a brilliant well established and much loved Yorkshire institution. Long live Betty’s.
Pryordurkin rating. 5 stars.
Telephone +44(0)1904 659142
Posted in Food and Drink