The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘roast pork’

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

Situated within the infamous Yumbo Centre, this restaurant for many many years was regarded as one of the best on the island serving quality food to men (and women) of a particular persuasion.  We arrived at around 7pm and were pleased to find they had a table free.  As it happens, they had several tables free, but we just assumed because it was early.  Anyway, the decoration befits the general style of the Yumbo Centre, with flashy lights, tacky signs and lots of swishy curtains.

We ordered up a bottle of wine (Marques de Riscal Sauvignon) and some food.

Lets just say the wine which was cheap and drinkable was the best thing about the whole experience.

My tomato and rocket soup was very salty and not in the least bit enjoyable.  Dusty went for the Chicken coated in Sesame seeds.  Yes it was a strange combination and frankly it tasted worse than it sounded.  Think cardboard coated in straw and you will start to get the idea.

Next came the mains.  I went for the special of day, a roast pork based something or other which is exactly what it turned out to be.  Along with some warmed up Pork (read the earlier review, it wasn´t the drink that made me bad, honest!) it was served with potato croquettes.  Yes potato croquettes.  If that were not bad enough, it was also accompanied by watery (previously frozen veg).  The sauce was some kind of sweet sickly affair, which even now, three days later makes me want to gag.

Dusty’s Fish dish was no better and I could see he was struggling to eat it.

So, although we decided not to do any reviews while on holiday, we just had to write about our experiences at this once well regarded restaurant.  It was absolutely horrendous and should be avoided at all costs.  The food was foul.

Score: 0 Stars. Avoid. Visited April 08.