Restaurant at Rombalds Hotel

Rombalds is in an enviable position on the outskirts of Ilkley, a former town house now completely renovated and much admired locally. Owners Colin and Jo Clarkson have done a great job that includes the provision of what is probably some of the best cooking to be found in the area, earning themselves several awards. The cuisine blends international trends with more traditional directions, and there is an excellent wine list to complete the picture.

The a la carte menu offers Thai chicken and mango salad with coriander dressing or a rabbit and prune terrine with tea syrup and walnut salad, followed by pan fried red snapper, sweet red pepper dressing and spring onion crushed potatoes, or rump of lamb, spring onion and bacon mash and red currant jus.

The rich chocolate brule with coconut tuille, for me comes a close second to the orange and lemon sponge with lemon curd ice cream. Understandably Rombalds has become a fashionable venue for the social life of the area, so probably a good idea to check before you make your reservation.