The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘dunnington’

Since moving to York we had never realised just how close Sheffield is, so on Saturday after a bit of a lie in we decided to take a look.  With a journey time of 50 minutes we had parked up and entered Meadowhall on the outskirts of Sheffield.  It was built around twenty years ago, but seems to have had a facelift as Paul remembers it as a dark and dreary place.  This time however we quite liked it.  Shopping for mens stuff, we quickly realised there was more on offer than that sold in York.  Even the chain stores like Next had much more stock to chose from.  I was very happy to get some more brightly coloured socks which I had been trying to find since I saw them in the Manchester store of Next.  Anyway a good few hours later, we were on our way home having done our little bit for the credit crunch.  As it was late we decided to have dinner on our way back at the Cross Keys in Dunnington and as usual the food was very good but the bar was less than friendly.

Sunday had me playing with my new toy and after helping me out for a while, Paul then headed off into the garden.  It wasn’t long before he was shouting though.  It turned out the problems we were having with the downstairs loo were because of  a Jay Cloth blocking the outside drains.  I won’t describe the odorous and colourless sight that Paul was keen to draw my attention to, but after poking it with a stick and much use of the hose pipe, all was then clear.   As I write, the roast is ready to come out of the oven and I can hear Paul finishing up so I best go put the vegetables on.  Anyway, another weekend over and it’s back to work tomorrow ;-(

The government wants to limit the number of fast-food premises in any one area. This is not a problem for Dunnington, that has a solitary chippy and no chances of getting a home delivery of a curry or pizza. So one would think that the chippy has a captive market, the posters in the chippy advertising the virtues of a good ol fish ‘n chips. Well, this chippy consistently serves poor chips, greasy fish and the best 3 minute microwavable pie with soggy pastry. No wonder there is never a queue. But being desperate, but not desperate enough to have some volcanically-heated food at the Windmill, I ventured (again) to the chippy just before it shut at 8pm. Upon entering at 8 minutes to 8pm the server glanced at the clock, I asked what was possible, to which I was told that a fish might be possible (the staff were ready to leave and the cabinets were already cleaned and off).I ordered the fish and chips (twice) and was looking forward to the scraps that were obviously going to be the chips. Two minutes later and old man walked in – fish was still on the menu – but the chips were off, as I noted the large basket of pre-cut chips ready to fry being carried out to the back! Nothing like making an effort. I am sure this could be a cracking little place, yet whilst the service is always fine, the quality of the produce could do with a modern make-over. Michael subsequently threw up his fish dinner!

Pryordurkin rating: 1 star  (Note the picture bears no resemblance to what we actually got.)

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.

Since buying my Vauxhall Vectra last year it has never been properly valeted.  I normally muck it out myself every now and then, but like to have a professional valet done at least twice a year.  So it was long overdue and to be honest the car was looking a little worse for wear, especially having been used to carry a ’wet’ christmas tree home on the back seats!

It was therefore fortunate that I happened across a fly-er by Auto Refinishers York based in Dunnington, who are mainly Vehicle Repair and Paintwork Specialists but now offer general servicing and valeting on top.  I rang them yesterday morning hoping to get the car booked in this week and was delighted when they said, they had just re-opened after Christmas and could fit me in today.  I took the car straight down to them and booked the Gold Valet service at £70 including VAT.  The lady behind reception was very nice indeed and the place had a clean professional feel about the place.  A young guy busied himself in the back ground and I could see from the daily work sheets that the jobs were starting to come in.  I left to return later in the day.

I rang to check whether my car was ready and despite a minor misunderstanding by them that they were not expecting me to return until the next day I picked my car up around 4.30pm and was very pleased with what I found.  I have had quite a few valet services in the past and experience has shown that they can be quite variable.  This one was definitely one of the better ones.  The car was spotlessly clean inside and out.  I could now see through my windows without that misty haze of dust and grime you get after a while and it smelt really fresh.  As it happened I was taking to a garage salesman later in the day and he remarked a couple of times about how professionally polished and in good nick my car looked.

Anyway, with my bill they included another fly-er and the same lady who I had met in the morning mentioned that their labour costs were much lower than main dealerships and that they could do my servicing from £85.  Given I paid nearly £400 last time, I will certainly consider dropping the main dealership and going back to this local friendly business.

If you do go looking for them, they are behind the Costcutter headquarters on Common Road in Dunnington.  Easy to miss, but worth the effort in finding.

Pryordurkin rating 3 Stars.  Telephone 01904 481177

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

Huge quantities of mass catering food are on offer at this local Pub.  Don’t ever order the mixed grill if you have a delicate stomach.  This pub is very popular indeed with people who travel far and wide to enjoy its fayre.  The locals however don’t seem to go in too much because (they say), once you have been in a couple of times, all the dishes start to taste the same.  The prices charged for food is quite high for what it is, but to be fair they do pile it on the plate.  However for us this is not really what we look for these days.  More quality less quantity seems to suit us better.  But hey, each to their own.

The bar and restaurant area are traditionally decorated but what I can’t understand is why the place never has a window open, even when it is stiflingly hot inside.  It takes the enjoyment away as far as I am concerned and the staff seem oblivious to the lack of clean fresh air and heavy sweating customers.

The bar has a few rooms available for overnight stays and these seem popular with travelling salesmen who you find supping away on a beer and mixed grill most evenings in the bar.

Sunday Lunch is popular but do book, because for reasons completely lost on us, it is very popular and busy throughout the day.  I am convinced there must be a retirement home nearby and this place serves as the canteen.

The owner seems to have a thing about mobile phones, which must be turned off whilst inside.  He is also not that shy when telling his prospective customers to avoid smoking just outside the door.  Actually when you look, there are warning signs barking orders for every possible misdemeanor, which strangely brings out an urge to break them in me.

Anyway, if you fancy a trip down memory lane by listening to the conversations around you while eating some northern fayre, give it a try. But don’t take your mobile phone, make sure you can lose some clothing and if you order the mixed grill forget about wearing a belt!

Score: 2 Stars. Last Visited 17th September 2008

With the family staying over, Dusty and I fancied taking them out somewhere local for a bite to eat that didn’t involve driving.  The Cross Keys is a local public house (Pub) in Dunnington near York, so I gave them a call at around 6pm to ask if they were serving food this evening.  The lady on the other end wasn’t exactly warm and having asked how many would be eating, said we would need to get there before 7pm as they were fully booked after that.

Rounding up the family and kids, we arrived at the Cross Keys just before 7pm.  A couple of smokers were sat on the benches outside and momentarily we wondered whether we should be taking our family with kids in to this place.  Once again though, the old research gene fired us on into action; so we entered.  This is quite an old fashioned village pub with the bar just in front of you as you enter.  To your left a couple of elderly people were playing domino’s sat just in front of the dart board.  I suggested to the family that they head straight to the restaurant area while I waited to be acknowledged at the bar.  I waited.  I waited and then I waited a little longer.  Not a glance, how’s you father, nothing.  Eventually a young guy came out of the restaurant and asked us to sit in the bar where we could order.  He would then show us to our table when the food was ready.  The drinks served up were good.  Traditional Black Sheep for the brother-in-law, various soft drinks for the kids and a couple of nicely chilled lagers for Dusty and my Sister.  My glass of wine, served up on draught (that took me back a few years) was actually drinkable to my surprise.

The young waiter signalled we should now take our seats and at the same time, the food was quickly served.  My Garlic Mushroom starter £4.75 was very good and the brother in law dish of mushrooms with Stilton cheese was OK as well.  The salad on the side was a little flat though and could have been more imaginative.  As Jamie Oliver says, a salad made up of Iceberg lettuce and a slice of cucumber, just doesn’t do these days.  One nice touch with the starters was individual freshly baked ‘Hovis’ bread served up on the side.  Very nice.

The main quickly followed and while they were being laid I noticed the other tables were slowly starting to fill.  The pub itself is a bit on the dark side and could do with a bit of a freshen up.  Anyway back to the food.  An assortment of vegetables were served up with our various mains (£6.75 – £14.95) of Steak Pie, Roast Chicken and Scampi.  The vegetables were very well cooked.  Not overdone, just right.  The Steak Pie was excellent and I think the kids liked the Scampi, however my roast chicken was small and dry.

We ordered up a couple of deserts (£3.25) for the kids to try and these were OK, but nothing special.  Probably from Brake Brothers in my view.

Compared to the Windmill Pub though (read review) that is also in the village, the Cross Keys food was much much better and we will certainly be back to the Cross Keys for a good value and well cooked meal.

Rating.  3 Stars.