Review: A Classic Yorkshire Sunday Roast at All-New Grantley Arms
Living North find a warm Yorkshire welcome at the Grantley Arms
A sister venue to five-star hotel Grantley Hall, just a short journey away, this much-loved pub has been revived but remains in keeping with everything we love about traditional country pubs – think good grub, perfect pints, and a relaxed setting with fireside comforts.
When we park up the sun is setting on a beautiful day spent exploring Ripon and whilst admiring the countryside views from the terrace is tempting, we head inside to end our Sunday the right way – with a roast. We’re immediately welcomed by a friendly face who leads us past the bar and to a cosy table for two by the fire. It’s early evening and the unmistakable scent of a Yorkshire roast fills the pub.
As my partner peruses the drinks menu, I’m distracted. There are so many trinkets and treasures on display, from bullet casings to tags from races of years gone by, celebrating everything we love about the countryside. But what sets this pub apart is the Grantley Hall stamp on it – it’s cosy yet luxurious. The soundtrack to our dining experience is relaxing: jazzy takes on our favourite songs played on the sax and keys. The quirky features become a talking point between the two of us as we’re served a large glass of shiraz (for me) and an Estrella (for him). We point out some of our favourite features to the staff who are more than happy to tell us more about the pub’s recent transformation.
Grantley Arms’s Sunday lunch is served every Sunday until 6pm and we were lucky to bag a booking – its first few weeks have been popular and we’re beginning to see why. Our starters arrive quickly. My burrata is served with grilled peach, cucumber and mint – refreshing flavours balanced with oil (it’s a generous portion, and there are more of those to come). My partner’s smoked haddock and leek arancini is uniquely served with a curry hollandaise and whilst it’s artfully displayed to a high standard, he says it’s a nostalgic dish that reminds him of his nan’s cooking.
All the while we’re watching roasts being served to our neighbouring tables. I’ve chosen roast chicken with sage and onion stuffing while my partner was torn between the beef ribeye and pork loin with crackling and stuffing, eventually deciding on pork… and he’s served a very big helping of pork. Our plates are completed with piped mash, perfect roast potatoes (no complaints about double potatoes), gravy and, of course, a big Yorkshire pudding! Seasonal vegetables are served to share alongside extra helpings of gravy; we are in Yorkshire after all. This is indeed a classic roast but to the highest of standards, with flavour-packed meat falling off the bone.
There’s always room for dessert, right? Especially when there’s sticky toffee pudding on the cards. Mine is accompanied by toffee sauce, custard and ice cream. My partner’s chocolate fondant is served with clotted cream and becomes a fondue. Chocolate sauce oozes out as he dips in the raspberries. It’s so good we end up sharing (whether he wants to or not).
All this comes from the talented mind of chef patron Gavin Swift (a familiar face at Grantley Hall since 2019). If you’re out and about in Yorkshire (not just on Sundays) and seeking comforting classics with locally-sourced flavours and a warm Yorkshire welcome, the Grantley Arms is your new go-to.
