Just the Bill, Please | Granger & Co., King’s Cross, London

I know, I know, this is supposed to be a blog about eating in Yorkshire, or so the name would suggest, so why am I writing about somewhere that’s nowhere near Yorkshire? That is in fact in That There London of all places? Well, no matter how much it may pain us, many of us have to leave God’s Own County at some point or other and travel to the big smoke by train, and now there’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat when leaving or arriving in London from Yorkshire.

It’s the Plates That Got Small | Ricci’s Tapas & Chicchetti, Leeds

I sometimes think it would be more noteworthy if a restaurant opened in Leeds serving food on big plates, as the small-plate dining revolution shows no sign of abating. One prominent arrival comes from the kingdom of Kirklees, and based on my recent visit it’s a most welcome invader.

The Real Japanese Deal | Hana Matsuri, Leeds

Christmas came early for me when I discovered this gem of a Japanese restaurant nestling in Meanwood. I’d always felt that Leeds lacked a truly authentic Japanese option, but now it has one that not only offers great food, but also a cozy atmosphere and friendly Japanese staff.

Hope Springs Eternal | The Old Spring Well, Harrogate

Who doesn’t like a nice run out in the car for a spot of lunch on a Sunday? Very few people in the Leeds area I’d say, as it’s by far the busiest day for lunching out in my experience. As I’ve said before, unlike some other punters, I don’t really fancy having a Sunday roast on such occasions, which precludes many places that decide to lay on a special menu on the Sabbath. The OId Spring Well near Harrogate is a notable exception to this, and it mainly for this reason that it’s one of my semi-regular Sunday lunch haunts.

A Sweet Spot | The White Horse, Ledston

I’d read and heard good things about the White Horse in Ledston, so after a family trip to the nearby RSPB reserve at Fairburn Ings it seemed the obvious place to go for a spot of lunch. Surrounded on all sides by motorway, but quiet and picturesque, the village of Ledston, and indeed its public house, are unexpected gems.

Pontefract Cakes | Yorkshire Food Glossary

Ok, I’ll get this embarrassing confession out at the start. I always thought that Pontefract was in Wales. What can I say? It sounds Welsh to me. I was disabused of this soon after I moved to God’s Own County. I then discovered that Pontefract cakes are not cakes either. And Welsh cakes are something else entirely.

Full of Eastern Promise | Touring East Yorkshire

When it comes to my annual summer holiday, I always ask myself, “why go further afield than East Yorkshire?”, and every year compelling answer comes there none. Within an hour’s drive of Leeds is a varied and beautiful landscape, just as breath-taking as the Dales but far less well known, and, importantly, replete with great places to eat. I’d just like to share a couple of highlights from this year’s sojourn.

Blinded by a Venetian | Polpo, Leeds

I suppose we in Leeds should take it as a compliment that we’re some of the first outside That There London to be graced with a branch of Polpo, the Venetian-inspired small plates restaurant that’s been the toast of gastronomes in the capital since it first opened in 2009. Perhaps they saw that we already have our own thriving Italian sharing-plate establishment in the form of Meanwood’s excellent Zucco, and thought they’d get a share of the action themselves.

Pipe Dream | The Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton

There may be nothing more to say about what is regarded by many as the best gastropub in Britain – its Michelin star and seemingly endless awards and accolades speak for themselves – but a recent visit prompted me to write my own little paean of praise to the Pipe and Glass Inn in South Dalton in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Up to the Task | La Tasca, Leeds

While much of the recent focus has been on small Italian sharing plates, such as the delightful Zucco or the newly-arrived-from-That-There-London Polpo, there is also a brisk trade in Spanish Tapas in and around Leeds (let alone the “Yapas” or Yorkshire tapas purveyed by the Angel at Hetton!). Besides the Basque-inspired offering from trendy Pintura, there is also good old La Tasca, though we recently had to bid adios to the Harrogate branch. A recent visit proved that you don’t have to be at the cutting edge to enjoy delicious cuts of cured meat and everything else that tapas has to offer.