We were very excited to be visiting The Ivy restaurant in Harrogate, as its reputation precedes it, and our expectations were high! We were not disappointed!
On arrival we were quickly shown to our table, and we were taken in by the warm, inviting ambience with lavish décor in the Art Deco style. The lighting was somewhat subdued, and we noticed a few people using their phones as torches to see the menu. Not a problem though as the candlelight made for an intimate and romantic setting. Our experience of The Ivy Harrogate had begun.
We were there to try out the Early Bird Menu which was reasonably priced at £23.50 (2 courses) or £27.95 (3 courses).
Our waitress was attentive throughout and once we were seated, she quickly delivered cocktails. CBD Spritz – Trip Peach and Ginger CBD, Aperol and Prosecco – refreshing and relaxing at the same time!
The Evening Set Menu offered three choices, each of starters and mains, along with a selection of sides, and four choices for dessert, all of which came from the impressive A la Carte Menu.
We chose the Salt and Pepper Squid with wasabi and miso mayonnaise, sriracha, Szechuan salt, coriander and lime. Perfectly presented and cooked to perfection, tender and sweet. We also tried the Crispy Duck Salad with five spice dressing, toasted cashews, watermelon, beansprouts, sesame seeds, coriander and ginger. Delicious!
For mains we chose the famous Ivy Shepherd’s Pie, made with slow braised lamb leg and beef in a rich red wine sauce, topped with cheddar mash and served with a side of al dente cooked green vegetables. A small jug of gravy on the side was a welcome addition.
Our Roast Salmon Fillet was served with green beans, flaked almonds and smoked aubergine purée and an accompanying lemon and Ras El Hanout spiced tomato sauce. The salmon melted in the mouth and the skin was well crisped, making each mouthful totally delicious.
Desserts were a sensation! Particularly the Chocolate Bombe filled with a vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre. When the waitress poured a hot salted caramel sauce over the whole thing, it melted into the plate and was worthy of a video! Be warned – you need to have a very sweet tooth to enjoy this one! We also ordered the classic Creme Brulé, a personal favourite and it didn’t disappoint!
Overall, the meal was excellent with high quality, fresh ingredients, freshly prepared and very tasty. We can highly recommend a visit to The Ivy to enjoy some of the best dishes of the usual menu at a very reasonable price!
From modern British cuisine to brasserie-inspired classics and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, there’s something for everyone to love and whether you’re looking for breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch, or afternoon tea with friends, you’ll find everything you need right here – a warm welcome, delicious food, incredible cocktails and friendly, knowledgeable service.
We loved it!
Review by Amanda and Amy Botterill
