By now, regular readers of H&N Magazine will know about our love affair with Robin Hood’s Bay, this picture perfect historic fishing village has everything from a rich smugglers heritage, and a myriad of tiny streets filled with cute fisherman’s cottages, to fabulous independent shops where you can find everything from authentic fishermen’s ganzies to fresh crab sandwiches, and, a dramatic coastline with hypnotic coastal views.
All of this keeps visitors returning time after time, us included. We usually stay in one of the cottages, however this time, we did something very different, staying for a two night break at the Hotel Victoria. Situated at the very top of the steepest of streets which leads down to the bay and harbour, this elevated location gives hotel guests views other visitors can only dream of.
Originally, we were invited to stay for one night, along with a few other journalists and local business owners and residents, to sample their new Autumn Menu. But this was a visit to Robin Hood’s Bay, and we needed to stay an extra day and night to experience this lovely hotel fully and reacquaint ourselves with one of our favourite places.
So let’s dive into why we were there…
Hotel Victoria
Newly refurbished, Hotel Victoria offers stylish and welcoming accommodation, and we were totally blown away by our own room. Yes, there are rooms within the hotel itself, but what we hadn’t realised was, next to the hotel they have ‘The Captain’s Quarters’, two beautifully refurbished Victorian houses, each room has been converted into stunning accommodation, which includes dog friendly and ground-floor accessible rooms.
Our own room was at the very top of one of these, and although the initial stair climb with our luggage may have had us huffing and puffing a little, that quickly disappeared when we entered our magnificent, very large room, with two double bedrooms, a good sized bathroom with a double walk-in shower, and views from a window seat that took our breath away.
We had to admit, Hotel Victoria definitely has some of the best coastal views in North Yorkshire. It was also going to prove to be the perfect base from which to explore nearby Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. More on that later.
Autumn Menu Preview
Now to the initial reason for our visit, to taste the hotels’ new autumn menu in Osborne’s Restaurant.
Greeted with a glass of bubbles, we took seats at one of the tables, and introduced ourselves to our dining partners, Sian and Matt who live in Robin Hood’s Bay and also own several holiday cottages. It has to be said, they were fantastic company, and made a great event even more memorable.
During the evening, Head Chef Ryan Osborne and his team served a selection of dishes including Lamb Carpaccio, Whitby Crab Tortellini, Whipped Goats Cheese and Honey Mini Tartlets with poached fig and beetroot tuile, Surf and Snout Pork Belly, and Braised Daube of Beef with horseradish mashed potato, while desserts included Caramelised Rice Pudding with poached pear, steamed fig, clementine and honey cake.
I have to say, each dish was superb, our personal stand out dishes were Whitby Crab Tortellini, Whipped Goats Cheese and Honey Mini Tartlets with poached fig and beetroot tuile, (we actually asked for more!), and Braised Daube of Beef with horseradish mashed potato. The whole menu was excellent, but these dishes were real stand outs.
Osborne’s Restaurant
As well as lunch and dinner, breakfast is also served in Osborne’s Restaurant, which is another fantastic area from which to appreciate those spectacular views. We started with a breakfast buffet of cereals, juices, fresh fruits and yogurts, then we chose from the cooked to order breakfast menu. Over our two days there, we enjoyed Eggs Benedict, a Full English and a Bacon and Egg Bap. It’s a great menu catering for all appetites.
For dinner on our second evening, and as the new menu, doesn’t launch until the 9th October, we chose dishes for dinner from the summer menu, starting with Prawn and Smoked Salmon Cocktail, Marie Rose, caviar, brown bread and seaweed butter, lemon for me, and Salt ‘n’ Pepper Soft Shell Crab, Asian slaw, Nam Jim sauce, coriander & lime mayo, scallions, citrus for my husband.
Both were beautifully presented and a delicious way to start any meal. Fresh local produce doesn’t get any better.
For our main courses, my husband chose Yorkshire Ale Braised Steak Pie, mushroom and root vegetables, garlic and herb pastry, hand cut chips, bone marrow gravy, garden peas, and I had Slow Braised & Pressed Maple Glazed Belly Pork, buttered greens, fennel seed and pork dripping popcorn, pork and apple croquette, carrot and star anis puree, cider and thyme jus. We also shared a portion of crispy onion rings on the side!
Good hearty fayre, we both enjoyed our choices fully, but a word of warning – these are healthy Yorkshire portions and we couldn’t quite finish, or manage one of the delicious desserts on offer. Make sure you have worked up a good appetite during the day to do justice to three courses!
If you are lucky, like us, you might also be treated to a magnificent sunset during dinner.
We highly recommend staying at this wonderful hotel. Just remember your walking shoes and a healthy appetite – you are going to need them.
About Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – you will have to read our next article to find out…
The Hotel Victoria is located at Station Rd, Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby YO22 4RL.
Review and images by Angela Riches and Dave Riches
Some images supplied
