Delectable Delights Of The Dales At Culinary Coniston

To much of the country – certainly the US residents of Menwith Hill Air Base on the outskirts of Harrogate – July 4th was American Independence Day, however, a few miles West in Skipton, North Yorkshire, the date had a different significance.

That was the morning The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa shook off the cobwebs of winter to launch its summer menu.

So, it was a little ironic that we set out to tickle our tastebuds with brollies held aloft after two hours of rain-soaked sightseeing in Skipton: Gateway to the ‘soggy’ Yorkshire Dales!

Set within the heart of a 1,400-acre estate, the hotel, about five miles outside Skipton, is home to both delicious dining, a spa and one of the UK's best shooting grounds.

But, for me, it was a simpler affair.

To my left and right, two Filipino sisters with a penchant for rice, fish and eternal sunshine. Skipton had already disappointed on the weather front with several afternoon downpours: could the Coniston live up to its culinary promise of delectable delights in the Dales?

Somewhat damper than the average human, we arrived at the property’s front door following a 30-second debate in the car park as to whether we could ‘make the entrance without umbellas’ or face another drenching: we opted to run for it!

But our leap of faith was worth every penny because our host for the evening - The View Restaurant - is the hotel’s 1 AA Rosette eatery which celebrates the very best of the county by utilising both local produce and, indeed, local landscapes.

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows with stylish décor, The View is chic, relaxed and comfortable: a place where you can savour tastes of the county whilst enjoying breath-taking views of the Dales as well as the hotel’s very own lake.

“Ooh look!” We all turned and peered out through the long windows.

“It’s a sheep!” declared Jamille, my wife’s sister visiting from Manila, where temperatures were still soaring.

I returned to the menu without batting an eyelid; so did my wife. However, my sister-in-law assured us that sheep were a rarity in Manila and that she needed to get photos to send back to mum and dad which she duly did.

The sheep behaved well, munching in the rain outside, just yards from us, whilst striking a formidable pose!

“Right, there are three of us,” I said. “We’re each having a two-course meal so why don’t two of us have a starter and a main and the third can opt for a main and a sweet. Sound like a plan?”

There were a few concerned gazes but the scene was set as Jamille chose a prawn cocktail whilst I went for the leek and potato soup.

We discussed my grandma’s etiquette lessons, when I was a child, and how soup should always be taken with the spoon moving away from the dish, whilst the prawn cocktail, as served, would survive nicely with use of a knife and fork, providing she remembered to always take the cutlery from the outside in!

It didn’t take long for a little Manila magic to strike and, within minutes, we were plates cleared and ready for our mains: fish and chips for me and Jamille, and Caesar Salad with breaded chicken escalope, baby gem, croutons, shaved parmesan and Caesar dressing for Mrs H.

As a devotee of KFC, MacDonalds and a range of other fast-food offerings in the Philippines, Jamille was keen to try fish and chips.

“What’s this?” asked our visitor, pointing to the Pea Puree and tartare sauce contributions sitting alongside her Hetton Dark Horse Beer Battered Haddock.

“Remember those mushy peas you liked at Wetherspoons?”

“Yes,” she said

“Well, it’s a much posher version which has been turned into a green like sauce but tastes very similar.” She was convinced and it was gone in a jiffy while health-conscious Mrs H savoured her succulent chicken: I tried to keep up with both whilst offering food explanations!

Fortunately, by dessert me and Jamille – having already consumed our two courses – were less enthusiastic about Princess’ Gooseberry, Custard & Shortbread Tart because, in grandma’s words, we were satiated: full up!

“Oh, come on, you’ll need to help me,” urged Princess so we put our best feet forward and helped her out: glad we made the effort!

We’d entered the restaurant at 6.30pm and by 7pm it was very busy, hardly surprising when you consider that at £25 for two courses and £30 for three, it represents good value in a high-quality dining environment.

Later, as I told one of the waitresses at a local tea and toast bar about my dining at the Coniston the night before she said: “Oh yes, I know it. That posh place outside Skipton.”

But when I advised her of the £25-£30 tariff she added: “That’s good value isn’t it?”

And she was right. The food was good, the ambience relaxing, service excellent and, if the weather’s a bit iffy, then you can admire the glory of Yorkshire’s inclement weather from the comfort of your table whilst enjoying some of North Yorkshire’s best value posh nosh…..and, I promise, the price won’t break the bank!

The View
Opening Hours:
Brunch | 10am - 11:30am | Mon - Thurs
All Day Dining | 12pm - 9pm | Mon - Sun
Afternoon Tea | 3pm - 4:15pm | Mon – Sun

Bookings
https://theconistonhotel.com/dining/the-view/seasonal-set-menu/