Source specialise in healthy, fresh food, slow meats and vegetarian options, so it doesn’t really get more perfect for us. We’d actually tried some of the food from Source before from Deliveroo as they do a tabbouleh and I have been on a quest for many years to find the perfect tabbouleh (specifically, one which lives up to the first one I ever had which was made by my uncle, who just maybe might maybe happen to be a Michelin-starred chef). Dan was impressed with his slow cooked meat dish but I was less than pleased with my tabbouleh, but I still had a hankering to give the restaurant another go because of the promise of its ethos and menu.

Thus, one delightful mid-week evening towards the end of summer, we ventured in for another go.

The atmosphere in Source is just lovely; a mix of cosy and fresh, with low lighting, rustic wooden tables and a bright open kitchen that fills the smallish space with all the right smells to make an empty tummy rumble. We were seated at a small table and had our drinks order taken by a friendly waitress, before pouring over the menu.

As a starter we chose to share the Yorkshire black pudding and golden crispy hens egg. A healthy slice of hot black pudding arrived with a lightly bread-crumbed egg that oozed a completely runny yolk when we broke it open. It was a delicious combination alongside a rich tomato sauce that was light enough that we could barely wait for our mains.

A short wait later they arrived; a pulled pork burger for Dan and ratatouille (or confit byaldi if you’re being fancy) for me. Dan’s burger was filled with the most tender meat and he assured me it tasted as good as it looked, accompanied by a tasty dry slaw and some incredibly salty chips.

My ratatouille was the prettiest I’ve ever seen, served in a cute cast iron pan and smothered in red pepper and tomato sauce. The veg was tender and the sauce thick and rich – luckily I had two hearty chunks of warm bread to mop it up with. It was a generous portion but not too filling as it mostly (entirely?) consisted of vegetables, and I’d have it again in a heartbeat.

Source is the perfect example of a restaurant that caters equally for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans, with a host of veggie options from salads to shakshuka, and even vegan fried chicken or a whole baked cauliflower. It’s an example to other eateries, and I think that’s it’s standout feature. They fare they serve is comfort food with a healthy, wholesome twist, and I reckon it’ll satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. I’ll certainly be returning for tabbouleh take two, and I’m crossing all my fingers it lives up to this most recent experience!

The most striking thing about Cosy Club is most definitely the décor. The interior of the huge space has been decked out in full art deco glamour in a nod to the building’s history as the old Curzon cinema, with 1920s inspired lamps and chandeliers providing atmospheric lighting and almost every inch of wall covered in framed posters, illustrations and pictures.

We arrived a bit early so had the perfect opportunity to enjoy a couple of cocktails before our meal, and my, oh, my, oh, boy, oh, my. We’re both suckers for a cocktail but since being spoiled by Dan’s drink-making skillz after two years of working in a fancy pants bar, we’ve got a wee bit picky, but I can safely say we were pretty taken with the cocktails on offer here. They were so specifically to our tastes and as amazing as they sounded on paper, they were even better once they passed our lips. I had the rhubarb and ginger bramble which was as sweet and tangy and spicy as you could wish for and I drank in a shockingly quick amount of time. Danman had the maple and pecan old fashioned which sounds like a glass of bournbony heaven and truly was. I could have skipped the meal and sat with cocktails all night but experience tells me that’s a recipe for disaster!

When our reservation rolled around we sat in the wonderfully atmospheric (if a little noisy!) dining area, which has the added touch of having all the tables facing different ways giving each table a little more privacy, which I thought was a brilliant idea and something I’ve not seen before. Then for the food! DanMan couldn’t resist some salt and pepper squid to start, which was lovely little starter and came with the softest warm bread. For the main event I went for the roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese salad, which came with butternut squash, baby kale, edamame beans and a balsamic and honey dressing. I don’t think that combination can really fail, and I ate it all happily and quickly. My only criticism was that despite advertising that the dish comes with quinoa on the menu, not a grain (or whatever the hell quinoa counts as) was to be found, and the salad really could have done with the extra carbs as I was left a little hungry. Regardless, I would gladly eat this again, but pray for quinoa.

Dan had the sirloin steak which was perfectly cooked and came with literally the perfect number of chips. He had no complaints and was much fuller than I come the end of the meal!

The food was solid and great considering the prices, but the real reason to visit Cosy Club is to soak in the1920s atmosphere and grab a few cocktails. I would return for food if we were in need of a quick bite, but I think I’ll be back for drinks at the next opportunity!

We got to the restaurant at about 2pm so it was fairly busy, but we were quickly seen to our table and shown the menu and their summer specials. On hearing that there were cocktails available DanMan jumped at the chance for a Disarrano sour, which swiftly came along in its own jar and was so good that he had another and barely held back from a third throughout the course of the meal!

On to the main event; the food. We decided to share a starter as we were taking into account Beefeater’s reputation for healthy portions (and we knew we were going to want a pudding), so went for their crispy chicken wings with smoky barbecue and piri piri dipping sauce. As you can see, these weren’t your typical chicken wings – more like chicken poppers on the bone – but they were still very tasty and just the right amount of crispy, and both sauces were yummy accompaniments (I’m taking Dan’s word about the piri piri as I’m a serial spice avoider). My only criticism would be that the presentation was a little plain; a splash of green from some rocket or lettuce on the plate would have made the dish a little more aesthetically pleasing, but I won’t fault it taste, which is what really matters!

There was a great choice of mains – steaks and pub classics are where Beefeater excels but there are salads and light(er) options too. DanMan went for a classic and chose the 6oz flat-iron steak which came with salad, slow roasted tomato and grilled mushroom, and he got a side of onion rings and a prawn and lobster sauce. He always asks for his steak rare and it was cooked to perfection, pink and juicy, and all the accompaniments (including the neatest onion rings I’ve ever seen!) were delicious. I will say he wasn’t a fan of the prawn and lobster sauce, especially considering it was a ‘luxury’ sauce, so next time I think he’ll be sticking to peppercorn! But that was his only criticism and he polished off everything else in no time.

I opted for the oven-baked seabass, which was served in the paper pouch it had been steamed in with courgettes, tomatoes, sliced potatoes and lemon, with a little greek salad on the side. I also got a side of their ‘veg medley’ which was a nice mix of green beans, broccoli and edamame beans, the latter of which I thought was a nice modern touch (and a personal favourite). The seabass was delicious, perfectly cooked and seasoned with a just a hint of lemon from the wedge It was cooked with. The veg was similarly delicate and every element complimented the others well. Considering it was mostly fish and veg it was also surprisingly filling, which I always take to be a good sign!

Despite being pretty full by this point we were determined to try one of their puddings as they all sounded incredible. This is your place if you’re a fan of indulgent classics – unfortunately we were just too full to sample their salted toffee apple crumble (ugh, could a dessert sound more delicious?), their cheesecake or their Mississippi mud pie. But we did go for the trio of sponges, the trio being lemon drizzle, raspberry jam with coconut and chocolate sponges, all served with custard. This was probably the highlight of the meal for me; the coconut and raspberry sponge in particular oozed nostalgia and the chocolate sponge was everything I want a chocolate cake to be with fudgy, chocolatey icing. Topped off with warm custard (I’m a custard fiend), it was the kind of home comfort food I love. We left satisfied and enjoyed a sunny jaunt home to walk off all the deliciousness.

Throughout the meal we were looked after by our lovely waiter Sean, who was chatty and attentive without once ever being too intrusive, and the same goes for all the other staff who brought over bits and pieces – everyone was friendly and helpful. We also saw a cute little scenario with the family sitting behind us, as one kid was getting a bit impatient for his dessert, so Sean offered to take him through to see the kitchen and they returned with his pudding. It’s little things like that make Beefeater a perfect family place, and this is where I really think they excel; there’s something for everyone, the food is well priced and of a good standard, the restaurant is spacious with a nice family vibe and the staff are obviously good with children. I’d certainly consider coming back with family, just remind me to make sure everyone has a big appetite!

Food was given gratis in exchange for review, however all views are most definitely genuine and my own!

I already love this place as a night-time watering hole for its rustic feel, little roof terrace and frequent live music, but it translates just as well into daytime when you want a comfy spot for a coffee, bite to eat or an afternoon drink.

We were all hungry Horraces by the time we arrived, my friends having travelled down from Edinburgh earlier that morning, so it didn’t take us long to choose; the boys both went for sandwiches, my friend Leonie went all in for the full English (and god knows she’d earned it finishing the Edinburgh half marathon the day before!) and I opted for the healthy breakfast bowl.

It was very quiet but there was a little bit of a wait for the food – although it is possible our rumbling tummies made it seem longer than it was – but when it came I think all of us were impressed with the quality. The two sandwiches looked tasty served on little crate boards with seeded bread and skinny fries and the full English was a darn sight lovelier than the average fry up, garnished with vine tomatoes and not a drop of grease in sight. My breakfast bowl was right up my street, with spinach leaves, tomatoes, avocado, smoked salmon and a perfectly soft-boiled egg.

Everyone tucked in and not a scrap of food was left by the end; we all commented that all our meals were just the right amount that we left satisfied and fuelled for some sight-seeing. I could certainly make a habit out of that (GET IT?)!

On Sunday I was lucky enough to tag along with my photographer-extraordinaire gal pal Jess for a meal that she was treated to by Hotel Indigo’s No.88 Walmgate restaurant on the edge of the city. All I knew (from a quick Google) was that the restaurant focuses on Yorkshire inspired food made with local ingredients where possible, so I went in with an open mind and a rumbling tummy.

The hotel could be easily missed, tucked away towards the end of Walmgate. After a walk down the street, our nose-buds had already been scintillated with the smells from a plethora of delightful restaurants, so I was happy to reach the smart, stylish but down to earth restaurant. Nicely decorated with rustic wooden tables and modern tiled pillars, we sat at a bright window seat where we could watch the world go by.

The menu had three well-rounded options for each course, and me and Jess both opted for the crispy hen’s egg to start (see picture above), which came with asparagus and lemon butter. The crispy egg broke apart to reveal a deliciously runny yolk and the asparagus and sauce came together to form a perfectly light starter.

For my main I went for the salmon (you might be noticing a trend, here…), which came with crab mayo, truffle mash and broccoli – and, oh my, so yummy. I sometimes find a salmon fillet can be a little much on its own, but the crab mayo was so fresh and bright tasting that it really balanced out the flavours, and the small dollop of creamy mash was just enough that I felt satisfied but not too full (and I ate every bite!).

Jess is a veggie so chose the pearl barley risotto, which got its incredible colour from wild garlic and asparagus. I had a couple of bites and it was a creamy, garlicky wonderland in my mouth – Jess actually struggled to finish as it was so rich (hence me scarfing some of her meal)!

After a little gap to let our appetites return a bit we finished off with dessert, which I think we both agreed ended up being the stand-out course. I had a rhubarb posset topped with crunchy shortbread pieces and a basil sauce; this was my first posset and it will not be my last, as it was so satisfyingly thick and creamy without being overwhelmingly rich, and the basil was the perfect accompaniment. Jess had a classic, choosing warm apple tart with vanilla ice cream. She loved it and I can confirm, after a tiny bite, that it was everything an apple dessert should be – warm, comforting with just the right amount of zing.

I also have to give a general mention to the presentation of the food at No.88 – as Jess’ fabulous pictures show, every dish was presented beautifully. My favourite touch was the leafy garnish on the starters and mains; not only were they delicious, but they gave me that wonderful feeling that we were eating fresh food, perfect from Spring.

We came away feeling satisfied and like we’d just eaten something a little special. It’s not always easy to find a restaurant where you can experience a perfectly balanced three course meal and not come away feeling like you’re bursting out of your clothes, but Hotel Indigo achieved it! I’d definitely recommend taking a stroll down Walmgate next time you fancy eating some truly delicious, refined food in relaxed and friendly surroundings.

For more stunning pictures of this meal and some of the beautiful nature in and around York, check out the amazing Jessica Holmes on Instagram!

We hadn’t booked but luckily that wasn’t a problem and we were seated towards the back on a cute (and tiny!) table. The decor and atmosphere was as cosy as it looks from the outside, with a junkyard-chic aesthetic and lovely warm lighting.

The menu was basic but fresh and delicious sounding, pretty similar to somewhere like Bill’s, and we started by sharing the avocado and tomato sourdough with basil, walnut pesto and drizzled with balsamic. And heavens to Betsy was it yummy; they didn’t scrimp on the topping and it was so delicious and fresh.

For the main event, I chose the salmon which came with hollandaise sauce, vine tomatoes, asparagus and smashed potatoes. All the accompaniments were lovely and well cooked, and the potatoes were comforting and buttery. The salmon was a little on the burnt side of crispy on top, however it didn’t impact the flavour too much and the rest of salmon was delicious and complimented the sides nicely.

DanMan opted for the lamb kofta and bell pepper skewers, which came with chips, pita, salad and tzatziki. He enjoyed the lamb but loved the peppers and tzatziki most of all, and I nabbed some of his pita and chips towards the end when he was struggling to finish!

We had no room for pudding so we came away nicely full (but not overly stuffed, I hate that – no room for post meal drinks!) and with a 25% off voucher for next time which I’m pretty sure we’ll be using. Overall, tasty food and a homely atmosphere that would make this an easy go-to meal out when we’re in the mood for somewhere easy and relaxed.

Wilde’s

Tucked away just off Stonegate, you’d be forgiven for missing this little wine bar and bistro which is probably often overlooked in favour of the massive Slug and Lettuce it neighbours. Well worth a visit for it’s cute and rustic décor as well as the simple but satisfying menu (including to date the only salad that I’ve ever not been able to finish eating because I was too full), Wilde’s gets huge bonus points for being a safe bet on a Friday or Saturday night when other places are packed and all you want is a quiet (or not so quiet) drink without having to fight through hordes of hen parties for a seat.

Low down: Great food, great drinks, ridiculously friendly service and a charming atmosphere.

Sotano Charcuterie and Bar

This stylish tapas and cocktail bar is hidden away down a set of stairs next to Kennedy’s and amongst some much rowdier and slightly less cool bars. Dark and distinctly wood-y, Sotano’s has a great brooding atmosphere that feels at once romantic and also a bit like an illegal speakeasy, serving up a delicious selection of (pretty fancy) cocktails and gins, along with Spanish bar snacks and tasty tapas. It’s pretty small and can get busy on weekends and when they have DJs or music nights on, but if you can visit on a quieter day or sneak a spot on a busier one, you’re in for a special experience the type of which is not always easily found in York.

Low down: Moody underground tapas bar with a great selection of drinks, great for dates or just something a little different.

The Nook

Café by day and bar by night! Pay this cosy little corner a visit for midday fuel or to get merry on cheap but sweet cocktails with friends and either way you won’t be disappointed. This place strikes the rare balance of feeling hipster but friendly and welcoming at the same time, with stellar service to boot. The atmosphere is warm and the decor simple but artsy (think pine tables and fairy lights); nab the window seat if you can for a little nook of your own and to watch the world go by on the cobbles outside.

Low down: Cosy café and bar, perfect for a chilled coffee or cocktail (or two…or three) day or night.

The Black Swan

Supposedly one of the oldest and most haunted pubs in York, this olde style pub sits slightly outside the usual hustle and bustle and shmustle of the inner city but is worth the extra amble. A proper log fire heats one of the rooms in the winter and with very decently priced 35ml spirit measures it’s the kind of place you can easily settle in for a night and not move from. If you get peckish there’s a great range of delish and massively-portioned food to choose from too.

Low down: Classic pub with some history to it, if you’re looking for a place that falls under ‘cosy’ and ‘hearty’, this is a must.

The Whippet

This one’s for the more upmarket of you out there (let’s just pretend for a moment anyone upmarket would read my ramblings, shall we?). Sitting just off the river near Lendal Bridge, the Whippet has in my opinion one of the best bars in York, with an amazing selection of spirits (I’m looking at you, gin) and super friendly, knowledgable and snappily dressed bar staff. The decor is on the charming side of hipster with a small bar area and slightly larger dining room; the surroundings only compliment the food which is some of the best classic British food I’ve ever eaten.

Low down: Upmarket but down to earth at the same time, go here for stylish drinks and fancy fodder.

Now I know there are more that could have made the cut; do you have any favourite finds or local haunts in York? Let me know your picks – maybe they’ll make it into another ‘Hidden Gems’ post!