The Pine Marten in Harrogate already enjoyed an excellent reputation even before it underwent an extensive refurbishment last autumn. What’s more, a brand-new menu has been formulated by Head Chef, Tim Chapman, which further piqued our interest, so we recently popped down to see if the food matched the quality of the new decor.
Starters
The evening got off to a strong start with perfectly cooked and plentiful Pan-fried king prawns with chilli & feta (£7.95) accompanied with lashings of tasty tomato & sweet chilli sauce and zesty lemon gremolata. A generous helping of artisan bread was on hand to mop up the remnants, meaning there wasn’t much left in the bowl by the time the mains arrived.
Bao buns are an increasingly common sight on menus these days and The Pine Marten has got in on the act with its Crispy duck bao bun (£7.25) offering. A combination of crunchy mooli, carrot, spring onion & plum sauce provided a delicious riot of complementary flavours that matched the melt in the mouth duck and delightfully soft steamed bun.
Main
Moving on to the main event of the evening, the Maple-glazed rotisserie pork belly & scallops (£20.75) offered plenty of tender meaty goodness. The addition of generous amounts of succulent pulled pork & cider bonbon, roasted celeriac & tangy fresh apple purée, Dauphinoise potatoes & Bordelaise sauce, makes this a perfectly hearty meal for cold, winter nights.
For our other main, we went for a lighter option, but what it lacked in substance the Pan-fried seabass fillets & chorizo (£16.95) more than made up for in flavour. Roasted red pepper & onion confit, lentils & grains, baby potatoes, pea purée & grilled lemon came together with the flaky fish to form a truly top quality dish.
Desserts
Generous helpings of both vanilla ice cream and light but decadent Sticky toffee pudding (V) (£6.95) made sure that the evening’s three courses came to a conclusion on a high.
For those that fancy something a little less substantial to end their evening, the Mini dessert with a hot drink (£5.25) is a perfect solution. We went for the home-baked chocolate brownie with coffee. Tiny but tasty.
Our Verdict
First off, although we’re very much a food and drink-focused website, it has to be said that the work and attention to detail that has gone into the refurbishment of The Pine Marten’s restaurant is absolutely first-rate. It is clear that inspiration has been drawn from the UK’s most glamorous dining and drinking hotspots, and yet the venue also has its own uniquely defined identity, with finely crafted furniture and stunning artwork featuring in abundance. We can also confirm that the hotel room we had the pleasure of staying in was comfortable and spacious, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
As for the new menu, it has really taken The Pine Marten’s social dining experience to another level, featuring fresh ingredients and flavours inspired by cuisine from around the globe. While there’s something for everyone, including a strong vegan menu, the quality and consistency remained high throughout. When the stunning decor is added to the mix, the overall offering is impossible to find fault with and will delight both new and old customers alike.