WIN! A Dining Experience at The Old Liquor Store York!
The Old Liquor Store (OLS), which is set in the historic Grade 2 listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory, opened its doors in July 2023 following a £350,000 refurbishment project. Since its launch, the restaurant has garnered a loyal following with locals and is fast becoming the ‘go to’ place for relaxed, fine dining. The bustling Italian influenced restaurant, café, wine bar and deli, offers a fusion of contemporary small plates and sharing platters as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday roasts. It also boasts an outdoor champagne terrace and oyster bar which is located adjacent to the restaurant in a tranquil courtyard garden area and benefits from views of the iconic 135ft clock tower.
The kitchen is headed up by renowned local chef, Matt Leivers, who has over 10-years’ experience in some of the UK’s finest Michelin-accredited restaurants. His focus is on using Yorkshire produce to create Italian-inspired cuisine, a modern take on classic tapas and sharing plates. The evolving menu changes regularly to make the best use of seasonal ingredients and offers tasty, high-quality dishes.
All dishes and accompaniments are created in-house including the warm amaretto biscuits served with coffee to the butters, breads, ice cream desserts and posh baked cannellini beans. Matt is joined by sous chef, Jack Wheatley, and this venture marks the fifth kitchen they’ve worked in as a team over the last 10 years.
Examples of dishes include:
- Garlic and thyme roast portobello mushrooms, mascarpone and truffle cream, focaccia and parmigiano-reggiano
- Roast sirloin of Yorkshire-reared beef with Yorkshire pudding, Barolo and veal bone gravy
- Garlic and oregano roasted porchetto with crackling and fennel sausage stuffing
- Focaccia with carbonara butter
- Frutti di mare – garlic and herb roasted crevettes, mussel arrabbiata, oak smoked salmon, rock oysters, crayfish cocktail, crostini and marinated olives
- Lamb shoulder and salami rigatoni, aged fat pangrattato and pecorino romano
- Zucchini fritti, black garlic, goat’s cheese and toasted seeds
- Limoncello posset, Yorkshire rhubarb, amaretto jelly and toasted almond
- Terry’s Chocolate Orange sundae
- Chocolate Orange martini
- Chocolate Orange Negroni
- After Eight cocktail with Kendal mint cake liqueur, chocolate mint gin, Mozart chocolate and crème de cocoa
- All dishes and accompaniments are created inhouse, including the warm amaretto biscuits served with coffee, to the butter, breads, ice cream desserts and posh baked cannellini beans.
The Old Liquor Store is nestles between York Racecourse and the award winning Bishopthorpe Road and the name pays homage to its confectionery heritage. Located in what was originally the Transformer House, it’s widely believed that this was subsequently used to house coffee beans and barrels of rum imported from America for chocolate making, with the rum being added to the truffles in Terry’s All Gold boxes.
Following a sympathetic refit, the property remains steeped in history, providing an atmospheric dining experience. Working with renowned designer, Banjo Beale (winner of the BBC1 series Interior Design Masters in 2022) the building has been restored and repurposed to ensure the décor maintains most of the building’s architectural features and reflects its manufacturing and confectionary legacy. The original tiling has been retained and walls are adorned with photographs and memorabilia donated by former Terry’s Chocolate Factory employees.
The dog-friendly restaurant is open Wednesday to Saturday, serving brunch, lunch and evening meals (10am – 9pm) and Sunday 12-4pm for roasts. The Old Liquor Store runs monthly tasting events. Group bookings for pre-race brunch and post-race dinner can also be made.
At the helm of the Old Liquor Store is veteran, Ben Williams, who started his career in prison service hospitality on a graduate training scheme devising operational procedure manuals for prisoner food and shopping. Having acquired the Rose and Crown in Sutton-on-the-Forest at the age of 21, he transformed the business into a fine dining gastro pub, achieving an accolade from Michelin and two AA Rosettes, before relocating to London then returning to his home city.
Ben explained: “The restaurant was more than two years in the making, but I’m thrilled with what we’ve achieved so far. It’s been an honour to bring back to life such an iconic building which lends itself perfectly to providing an inviting backdrop where people can relax and enjoy fine food.”
HN Magazine has joined forces with the Old Liquor Store (OLS) to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a complimentary evening meal for two.
The prize includes a selection of sharing plates and drinks to the value of £100.00.
T & C’s
- The prize must be taken by June 2025, excluding the month of December 2024 and any special event nights
- The table needs to be booked in advance
- The prize cannot be exchanged for cash and is non-transferable
Reservations can be made by visiting www.theoldliquorstore.co.uk
Images supplied
