Pignut and the Hare, housed in the historic Hare Inn in Scawton, Helmsley, holds the top spot on TripAdvisor for the area, with a five out of five star rating.
Celebrated for its tasting menus, the restaurant focuses on locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal dishes.
The menu changes regularly based on availability, featuring creative courses such as a signature ‘wastage broth’ made from leftover vegetables, and a dessert pairing of mushrooms, coffee, and caramel.
A dish at Pignut and the Hare (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
One reviewer described the venue as a “culinary highlight”, praising “creative, locally-sourced dishes and innovative amuse bouche”.
Others commended the “attentive and professional service”, noting that it enhances the overall experience.
One diner, who visited the restaurant this month to celebrate her silver wedding, said: “Amazing night at Pignut and Hare to celebrate our silver wedding.”
She said: “Then the main event, the 12-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
“Beautiful dining room with roaring fire in a wood burner.
“Lovely croustade and crackers to set the scene.
“Then onto the menu itself.
“Every dish beautifully presented, and gorgeous local pottery and tableware.
“Too many flavour sensations to mention, but highlights alouette potato hash with smoked cod’s roe, chalk stream trout, rhubarb and horseradish, Yorkshire forced rhubarb with medowsweet and nan’s cake tin.
“Fantastic service and knowledgeable staff, and interesting selection of wine pairings, carefully selected.
“Will definitely be back again soon.”
The atmosphere, described as serene, also receives frequent praise for its calming influence and opportunity for guests to unwind in comfort.
Another person who visited this month described her visit as the “best Christmas present ever”.
She said: “My husband bought me a gift voucher at Christmas for here and WOW.
“We stayed overnight on a Friday, and the weather was kind, so we had a cocktail sitting outside.
“So peaceful.
“The room we stayed in was absolutely beautiful (as was the whole place), with many tiny details of design.
The front of the Pignut and the Hare (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
“The food was the star of the show.
“We opted for the half menu and had a couple of additions.
“The milk bread and chicken were divine, as was the pork, but the mushroom mousse (sweet) was out of this world.
“Breakfast wasn’t too shabby either.
“The staff were knowledgeable and attentive.
“Such a treat.”
The restaurant’s format is exclusively tasting menu, with the half menu currently priced at £75 per person and the full experience at £120 per person.
The Michelin Guide has also taken notice, calling it “good cooking” and describing it as “ambitious” and “hyper-local”.
While the vast majority of reviews are glowing, a select few offer minor points for improvement, often comparing the restaurant to Michelin-starred venues such as The Angel at Hetton, The Black Swan at Oldstead, and The Star at Harome.
TripAdvisor reviewer York_TravellerYork said: “This place is clearly a labour of love for a husband and wife team, and it absolutely deserves to be a complete success.
“The accommodation rooms are charming and comfortable, and the quality of the food is of a very high standard.
“The restaurant is lovely, and it is quite possible that at some point in future it would be of a standard to warrant a Michelin star.”
Located just five minutes from Rievaulx Abbey, Pignut and the Hare is open for dinner from 6pm to 10pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
Online, the venue has described itself as: “A 12th Century Inn, in North York Moors National Park, five minutes from Rievaulx Abbey, for beautifully restored rooms and a restaurant serving locally sourced ingredients within a tasting menu, every changing as the seasons and suppliers dictate.
“Serving Dinner Bed and Breakfast can also offer just our tasting menu.”
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