Wildwood Restaurant, York

You might have never heard of this new restaurant in York, neither had I until a few weeks ago.

Situated on Low Petergate, there is plenty of competition in the vicinity. Next door to Wildwood there is a well known pizza and pasta chain. They must think that Wildwood are a threat to them as they were handing out pieces of pizza to the people passing by.

The Wildwood in York looks like a stand alone restaurant. You would not think it was part of a chain that is expanding throughout the country. With wood floors, marble top tables and a cosy atmosphere the first impressions are very good.

The music playing is low so you can have a conversation and they seem to know their audience, think Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and Toploader and you will get an idea of who their target audience is.

The front door is automatic and closes itself slowly.Ths is ok for the warmer months but in winter you might feel like getting up from your seat and closing it quickly, if you are sat near the front of the restaurant.

The menu is mainly Italian based with pasta dishes, pizzas, homemade risotto, salads and a grill selection, including burgers, steaks and sea bass.

Our shared starter of a sharing platter consisted of barbecue ribs, breaded Brie, tomato & pesto bread, bell peppers, caramelised onion and garlic mayonnaise dips. Well presented and tasted as good as it looked.

For my main course, I went for the sliced meat and meatball pizza. The pizza arrived with mushrooms on it, which are one of my pet hates as the funghi does not appeal to me. After checking the menu it confirmed my thoughts that it did not say it came with mushrooms.

The helpful and attentive staff offered me another pizza, but rather than throw away a perfectly good one, I just took off the mushrooms and enjoyed a fabulous pizza.

My partner's Cobb salad consisted of oven roast chicken, fresh sweet corn, tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, avocado, bacon and Caesar dressing. The salad was fresh, the chicken described as "beautiful" and there was plenty of sweet corn and bacon. To see the dish empty was proof that it had been a good meal.

My Banoffee sundae was rich in bananas, plenty of vanilla ice cream along with fresh cream and digestive biscuits. It would be worth just visiting for the desserts! My partner's Eton mess sundae was equally packed with berries and ice cream.

The meal was not rushed and there were adequate pauses between each course. Add in the efficient, courteous and friendly staff and it all adds up to a winning combination.

If I had a choice between Wildwood and their competitor next door, I would choose Wildwood as the food and service is far superior.

Wildwood, 87, Low Petergate, York YO1 7HY
Telephone: 01904 236444
www.wildwoodrestaurants.co.uk