The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘cafe’

We paid another visit to Ambience Cafe Bar at 40 Glllygate York for lunch today.  We wanted something light and quick while out shopping in the City Centre.  As we arrived around 12 noon, the walled garden was starting to fill up with other customers.  We took a seat at one of the plastic tables and waited to be served.  Within moments we were greeted by the friendly owner, who said someone would be with us soon.  A nice touch.

A young guy with a blank look turned up to take our order.  We knew after placing the order, it was unlikely to arrive without problem.   Sure enough my chicken sandwich arrived covered in coronation sauce, despite my specifically asking for it to come plain.  Despite this the sandwich was fine.  Paul had opted for Ham and it certainly looked home cooked.  Accompanied by curly fries (how can respectable places still serve these grease laden things) and a small bowl of soup, it was good value at £5.90 each.

The garden itself is very private and sits within the walls of York City Centre.  It has certainly filled out with planting since we were last time and was as usual very nice indeed.

In summary, this cafe bar, while not exactly serving ‘Gastro’ food, does do what it says on the tin, and provides a nice place to stop and refresh in peaceful surroundings.

Pryordurkin rating 3 stars.

A bit disappointed with this after listening to much hype from many a friend and acquaintance. I was lucky not to queue for too long and soon sat down to experience Magpies for the first time on Saturday 21st April. The service was professional and quick but the quality of the food was not as we had been led to believe. While the cod was good and fresh., the chips were a bit of a let-down. Being famous for the queues of people trying to get into Magpies we expected something a little better. The establishment is clearly a well oiled machine with a very large turnover of customers all the time. Worth a visit for the quick service, but don’t expect the best fish and chips you will ever eat. You’ll find them round the corner at the Kyber Pass (read my review).

We returned this year to try the take out fish and chips and again it was a disappointment.  The staff were curt with the customers and the food was nothing special at all for the very high price.  We much prefer Harry Ramsdens down the road for take out fish and chips.

Score: 2 Stars. Visited April 2009.

This is a small drop in cafe in the middle of York City Centre open during the day for shoppers and local workers alike.  I popped into Cafe Venice over lunch on Monday for a coffee, sparkling mineral water and a sit down having walked in to the City after parking up at the University.  A mixed (plastic) menu catering for the brits as well as those wanting a more mediterranean style is on offer.  Most of the items cost between £4 and £5.  Pizza slices, baguettes, panini and pasta were all on offer as well as Bacon Butties and freshly made up sandwiches.  I’d noticed this place before and think it has been open around 12-18 months.  In that time it seems to have attracted a loyal customer following.

The service is quick, friendly and one or two of the Turkish guys who work there score reasonably well on the old eye candy scale.    Downstairs there were a number of tall tables and stools to chose from each with an ample supply of paper napkins.  I’m led to believe there is more seating upstairs.  If you like the mediterranean feel of a cafe , then this is a good place to stop off for a quick snack.

Pryordurkin rating. 3 stars.

Italian Fine Foods are available from Le Langhe who have recently opened in the Old Coach House, in York.  We have visited this shop twice in as many weeks and the food on offer certainly looks beautiful.  There is an excellent choice of Italian breads, olives, wines and cheeses.  Parma Hams and many others hang over the counter tempting you the minute you step inside.  Olive Oils, pestos and lots of other fine Italian ingredients are laid out across shelves and in baskets all making the trip seem irresistible.  At the back of the shop they have opened a cafe restaurant which is always full of people and on the door last week as we entered, there was a sign saying you now had to book a table because they are so busy and popular.

You might be wondering therefore why we underlined the word “looks” above!  Well it is because on both occasions we have found ourselves putting produce we had selected for purchase back on the shelves and walking out in disgust.  The service is atrocious.  In what is clearly a good quality produce shop, they seemed to have completely forgot about trying to sell any of it to actual customers.  We think this shop might just be a piece of art.  Look but don’t bother trying to buy.  Maybe that is why they describe themselves on their website, which has pictures of their old shop, as importers of Italian Artisan Food.  I always wondered what Artisan Food was.  Now I know.  Looks good but you can’t buy the stuff for love nor money.

Today, like last week, they had one stressed individual working on the deli counter, that doubles up as the till for any produce bought in the shop.  A queue of grumpy customers hangs around hoping to get served before they close around 5pm.  On both occasions our patience got the better of us and we simply walked out complaining about the business logic behind a shop that is clearly capable of selling very good quality food, but one that lets itself so badly down on something so simple as having staff to actually serve eager customers.

What a ridiculous approach to business.

UPDATE 7th March 09.  We really couldn’t believe a place could be so bad when it came to service, so decided to give it one final try today.  So for the 3rd time, we ventured into this shop.  This time we chose 4.30pm thinking the place would be quiet.  It was, hardly any customers, yet still, we didn’t manage to get served.  Standing at the counter being completely ignored by the staff is an experience  which unless you’ve been there, you would never actually believe.  Storming out for the FINAL time, we found what we were looking for in another shop as we made our way back to the car.  in that shop we mentioned our experiences of Le Langhe to the staff and were not surprised to hear that they too had heard of other people complaining about the very poor service.  One lady who did manage to get served was made to feel as though she was in the way.  So there you have it, it’s not just us who think this shop should win an award for really awful service.

Pryordurkin rating. 0 stars. (Can’t be anything more, as we’ve never managed to actually buy anything yet!)

After a late start to the day we headed into the City Centre for a spot of shopping and a light lunch.  On our way, we stopped off at Deans Garden Centre looking to buy a water butt so we could start to collect rain water for the garden come summer.  Unfortunately they didn’t have the 60mm connection kit so we could link it up with our guttering drain pipes, which (as is now usual with the Pryordurkin luck) are non standard.  Anyway, laughingly we thought B&Q might have it in and promised ourselves we would call on the way home (Aren’t we silly?).

Getting into the City we parked up and walked into the centre.  It was packed full of tourists and shoppers alike.  You would think it was the week before Christmas.  Restaurant, shops, cafes and the streets were buzzing with people who generally looked up beat, happy and pleased to be out.  I still can’t quite square this with the pessimistic downbeat doom and gloom messaging you get every time you switch on the BBC news.  I find myself shouting at the TV the more excited the news presenters get with every bit of bad news.  Perhaps a few of them should lose their jobs and feel the pain many others are suffering.  They then might think twice about making things even worse by creating even more worry and pessimism amongst Joe Public.  While I’m on one, I’m curious how much the BBC Downturn logo cost.  This is the second one I’ve seen so far.

Anyway where was I?   Oh yes, we bought a few items from around town, stopped for lunch at Harlequin (which was packed, even at 2.30pm) and then made our way home.  On our way, as mentioned earlier, we called into B&Q to see if they had the connection kit we needed for the water butt.    Guess what?…….

We were joined by Christine, Graham, Jessica and Marissa for the weekend and as well as visiting the panto, we found ourselves going off to Bridlington late Saturday morning.  To say it was cold is an understatemnt. As we travelled across East Yorkshire passing through Wetwang, the temperatures dropped to minus three and the trees that lined the road were thick with white ice and putting on the most fantastic show of winter scenery.

We parked up at the harbour and walked up to the recently refurbished Spa ordering up hot chocolate drinks and sitting in the cafe that has views across the North Sea.  A little wandering about Bridlington followed before the obligtory fish and chip meal, after which we could take the cold no more and started the journey home.  Saturday was panto time and you can read our review here.

Sunday morning called for my preparing a traditional Sunday Lunch.  Before that though we all went for a walk into Dunnington and the kids had a great time playing in park.  Even Jessica and Marissa enjoyed themselves!

All in all we had a very nice weekend playing host to Christine, Graham, Jessica and Marissa.

UPDATE:  Tickets go on sale for the 2009/10 Berwick Kaler Pantomime.  More Info Here

If consistency is a sign of quality then Berwick Kaler has it all.  Following our first visit to the pantomime at York Theatre Royal last year where we saw Sinbad the sailor (read our review) we returned with much anticipation this year accompanied by my Sister, Brother in law and kids from Cambridgeshire.  Arriving at the theatre at around 7pm last night the place was packed to the rafters.  The bar and cafe areas on all floors were full of eager punters like us who are now hooked on the Berwick Kaler York Theatre Royal pantomime experience.  Celebrating his 30th year the show included many an actor who have themselves been coming back year after to year to play at York.  David Leonard who we last saw starring in a Man for all Seasons, has now notched up 21 years as the baddie!  Martin Barrass celebrates 23 years playing the fool and Suzy Cooper has 14 previous appearances under her belt.  The upcoming Vincent Gray, who is very pleasant on the eye remarked during the show that he would like to return to York year after year after year.

Anyway, the show started and with the now familiar style, we were hooked from the outset.  You simply can not stop yourself from having a smile on your face from the moment the curtain goes up until well after you get home following the show.   There is little by the way of plot, but this only adds to the fun which you might think is all chaotic and made up on the spot, but is in fact very well rehearsed and outstandingly professional.  The actors and I use that word, because they are true to their art, play their parts extremely well indeed.  You could easily be forgiven for thinking these people are for real.  They link with the audience with ease and Berwick Kaler seems to have a knack for gripping the attention of everyone in the house.  His Amy Winehouse sketch met with rapturous applause and calls for more… more.  David Leonard plays the role of baddie as mentioned before but pulls it off in such a way, that he must be one of the most loved baddies every portrayed on stage.  He seems to have the crowd in the palm of his hands whenever he is on stage.  Which is quite a lot as he humorously remarked in a throw away comment.   Suzy Cooper who slowly turns into that well known Dick Turpin character of a bat! is a real class act.  Her demeanour and her voice are so versatile that along with Berwick Kaler and David Leonard, she would hold the stage as her own.

The show ended a stroke after 10.00pm and with two and half hours of professionally produced and acted mayhem loosely coupled around the legend of Dick Turpin, we were once again delighted to have joined many a regular fan of York Theatre Royal pantomime for a great nights entertainment.  The kids even managed to get the heavily sort after Waggon Wheel, who the Gaurdian reviewer (read it here) has been trying to get himself for a many a year gone past.  The kids must just be plain lucky.

If you haven’t seen it yet, it runs to the end of January 09, but to be honest the likelihood of getting a ticket now is slim.  These shows have been sold out for weeks if not months.

Pryordurkin rating 5 stars.

We moved to York early last year and after a while discovered A Barker Butchers in Dunnington near York.  You could easily drive past this butchers in Dunnington as there is little by the way of a sign saying butcher or even A Barker!  However once you know where they are and try the produce, then you will no doubt go back again and again.  There are a number of friendly guys who work in the shop and even if you are in a grumpy mood (what me!) you will always find them trying to engage you in friendly banter.  That aside!, I especially like the locally sourced chicken, beef, pork, pork sausages and bacon.  The quality as compared to the meats you can buy in any supermarket are in a class of their own.  While it can be a tad more expensive (but not much), the difference in taste and knowing where the meat comes from is very good value alone.  We are now regulars and will often just pop in late afternoon to pick up some fresh meats for that evenings dinner.

By the way they also sell vegetables and a few cakes, but these are a bit hit and miss.  If you time it right the vegetables can be quite fresh, but not always.  We much prefer the Balloon Tree down the road.  (read review)  The cakes are a bit on the cheap side when it comes to ingredients so I now give these a miss.

However as a butcher they are great and despite their friendly banter every time I visit, I keep going back.

Pryordurkin rating 3 Stars

Telephone 01904 489265

Since moving to York early in 2007 we have become regular customers of Dean’s Garden Centre on Stockton Lane in Stockton-on-the-Forest near York.  It is a family run business with a second branch in Scarborough and is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year.  We have bought quite a few things from here over the couple of years since, including garden furniture, wood fencing, a large water fountain and of course lots of planting.  Having tried a number of other nurseries and garden centres around the area, including Homebase and BBQ, Paul always seems to think the plants from Deans are just that much better for quality.  Although they may be just a little more expensive, they in the end, prove to be better value by far.   Paul was particularly pleased to discover that in December 08, all Hardy plants are for sale with a straight 40% off the price and to celebrate their anniversary you also walk out with a free Ruby Rose.

The service over the time we have shopped here has always been friendly and professional.  When looking for advice or information they are happy to spend time talking to you.   The old guy who seems to work in the portacabin is an especially interesting character.  Worldly wise and canny with it.  A really nice man.

While Paul meanders around the outdoor planting area, I can usually be found trying to persuade him to join me in the on site ‘Brothy’ for tea and cake.  A cafe that serves up hot and cold snacks and fine looking cream cakes, which are clearly popular with the old dears of York.   Although not the best Cafe I have attended at a Garden Centre, it is certainly not one of the worst either and is worth a visit.  Be aware though it gets very busy.

Finally, as was the case over the last couple of days, if you need to return anything or have a query on a product, they go out of their way to help.  Many who know me will know, I am not a gardener, but if I quite like this garden centre, then it must have something special going for it.

Pryordurkin rating. 4 Stars.

Tel 01904 400 141
Fax 01904 400 157

After walking around Pickering, we wanted a spot of lunch.  The nice people in the Art Shop we had just visited recommended Mulberries on Bridget Street.  Entering at around 2pm, the lights were out, but we were greeted by a friendly looking chap who said they were still serving food in response to our question.  We sat at a table near the small window and next to a glowing electric fire.  The friendly chap then turned the lights on for us and an assistant took our order.  We both went for the Carrot and Ginger Soup at £3.50.  To follow, I chose the Home Made Cottage pie with vegetables from the specials menu and Paul opted for a Roast Port with Apple Bap.

This is a small restaurant / coffee shop.  It had a look of a mediterranean cafe about it with white washed walls and bare brickwork showing in places.  It was very nice and clean but I got the feeling that it hadn’t quite decided whether it wanted to be a restaurant or an upmarket coffee shop.

Anyway, after a short while, the soup arrived.   It was excellent.  No other way to describe it.  Piping hot, perfectly seasoned and clearly home cooked.  Served up with warm crusty bread it was just what was needed to counteract the winter weather outside.  The mains quickly followed.  Pauls Roast Pork Bap was again excellent.  Moist, tender and accompanied by warm freshly cooked apple slice.  I took a bite myself to check and it was worth every penny of the £3.50 cost!  A bargain for that price, given in most places you pay that for a limp takeaway sandwhich.

My cottage pie (£5.95) however was a little bit of a disappointment.  It was tasty enough but the minced beef used looked as though it had come out of a can.  This was a major surprise given my starter was so excellent.  Accompanied by roasted parsnips I was just left a little unhappy.

As we left, a young boy was closing up the restaurant for the afternoon at around 3pm.   Our total bill came to £18 which for lunch was fantastic value indeed.  I think this place could be onto a real winner.  The setting was certainly perfect for a cosy meal with other quiet respectful diners.   We’ll pop back some time to see how they are getting on.

Pryordurkin rating 3 Stars.  01751 472337