The Firepit, Beverley

A growing trend at the moment seems to be the opening of new BBQ and Smokehouse restaurants. The Firepit opened in Bingley earlier this year and they have now opened in Beverley.

The Beverley Smokehouse and Sports Bar is attached to a new shopping and leisure complex on the fringe of Beverley. If you are lucky you will get a seat where you can see the Minster.

Not that many of the clientele who were there during our visit would appreciate it as it was a lively, young and mainly male crowd, who were more inclined to the live sports which is shown on the largest TV screen in Beverley if not Yorkshire, besides other screens dotted around the establishment.

There were quite a few female parties present along with couples during our early Saturday evening visit. The management seem to have learnt from the first Firepit at Bingley as in the Beverley branch they have spilt the floor in two (as it is all on one level) with a less noisy dining area to the left hand side as you enter the building.

Besides coming to watch the sports and eat, many used the place as a meeting up point too. I thought it was a warm, lively yet friendly atmosphere.

We had to wait a while to be seated and for our table to be cleaned from the previous guests.

They say that they have "a burning desire for exceptional food" which makes sense when the menu consists of dishes such as Smoked Flame Grilled Chicken, Pit Ribs, Firepit Hot Dogs and Burgers and Sandwiches.

What I found odd was that we were told the starters were always served at the same time as the main course. I was going to go for the Pitballs of Mac 'n Cheese but they must be very popular as they were sold out, so I went for the Buttermilk chicken chips which were served with a very strong but excellent blue cheese dip.

My partner went for the Nachos of chilli and pulled pork. It would have been nice to have a break in between these starters and the main course. It has to be said though that both starters were top notch.

My main of the New York strip steak- a 12oz 28 day sirloin steak was cooked to my liking and was tender, tasty and superb.

My partner went for the Smoked flame grilled chicken which was a huge serving even going for a half size portion. Unfortunately her side of Skin on Fries were cold when they arrived and had to be sent back. By the second attempt they were hot and fresh.

Our desserts of Baked American cheese cake and my Pit Cookies both priced at £6.95 each were scrumptious and like the rest of the dishes were huge servings. In fact on reflection you would have enough sharing one dessert between two.

Due to a lack of communication between our server and the bar staff we had to wait 25 minutes for our coffees to arrive, even after chasing up the order twice.

If they can get the level of service up to the high standard of the food they will have a winning product. In time I am sure they will get there.

The Fire Pit, Unit 3&4, Flemingate Shopping Centre, Beverley HU17 0NZ
Telephone 0845 555 5000
www.firepitbar.co.uk