Mother’s Day is almost here and if you’d like to celebrate by spending some quality time with the mother figure in your life, there’s no better way to do so than over a delicious Sunday lunch. Here are some of the best places to enjoy a traditional roast in York on the 10th March.
The Whippet Inn
Tucked away in an unassuming spot off Bridge Street, this Grade II-listed pub and restaurant is a meat lover’s dream. The Whippet Inn’s decor has been described as ‘gothic with a hint of madness’, and its interior is atmospherically lit with exposed brick walls, Chesterfield-style seating and whimsical floral displays. If you’re thinking of treating your mum to lunch here, The Whippet’s delicious Sunday roast costs only £32 for three courses. You can whet your appetite with starters like a ras el hanout-spiced butternut squash velouté, or smoked mackerel and horseradish rillette with pickled beetroot, fried bread and dill. The pub’s beef is sourced from ex-dairy herds that have been grass-fed and put out to pasture and this can be tried with a 16-hour slow cooked roasted peppered rump, which is served pink with Yorkshire pudding and Yorkshire ale gravy. Alternatively, you can opt for a chicken breast poached with brandy, butter and thyme or a vegan wellington made with puy lentils, squash and beetroot. To finish, there’s blackberry and lemon curd pavlova with a pistachio crumb, or the Whippet’s signature sticky toffee date pudding. The pub also offers cocktails, including many classics that have been given a special Whippet twist.
Winning Post
Another arty place to dine, the characterful Winning Post on Bishopthorpe Road has its own gallery where you’ll find an ever-changing selection of works for sale by visiting local artists. This cosy gastropub opened in 1939 and has become known over the years for its live music, something which you can still enjoy today. Those visiting the pub on a Sunday can tuck into a hearty roast with their choice of meat or a vegan alternative, both of which are served with roast potatoes, vegetables and homemade Yorkshire puddings and gravy. If you have any room left afterwards, the pub’s dessert list features homemade apple tarte tatin or a black forest gateau sundae. The Winning Post’s location near to the Millenium Bridge makes it an ideal starting point from which to explore York on foot or by bike. On the pub’s website you’ll even find the route for a circular walk or cycle trail that would make a perfect pre or post-dinner activity to do together on Mother’s Day.
Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House
Residing in the space above Walmgate Ale House in York city centre, the Chopping Block is an Anglo-French restaurant with an invitingly rustic interior. The restaurant’s head chef, Michael Hjort, previously worked as a sous chef for Michel Roux Jr. and he uses his experience to whip up delicious dishes that have a French influence but are made with the freshest Yorkshire produce. On Mothering Sunday, you can try the Chopping Block’s highly-rated Sunday lunch, which costs £24.90 for three courses. To start, there are options like tartiflette or a brik basket of cured trout and fish rillette. You can then move on to your choice of roast beef, pork or a vegetarian wellington, which are all accompanied by roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy. The restaurant’s desserts sound very tempting. Before or after your meal you might also want to visit the downstairs Ale House, where you’ll find a range of locally produced cask, bottle and keg beers
Plonkers
Situated on Cumberland Street down by the River Ouse, this family-run wine bar has its own outdoor dining area from which you can take in the scenic views across the water. Plonkers has long been delighting York’s residents and tourists alike with its tasty home cooked dishes and well-stocked bar. If your mum’s a real wine connoisseur, this might be just the place to treat her to a Mother’s Day meal out. The bar’s Sunday carvery costs £16 and comes with a meat of your choice, or a vegetarian alternative, along with all of the usual trimmings. This can be paired with drinks chosen from Plonkers’ impressive range of fine wines, gins, craft beers and cocktails. The bar has a welcoming, convivial atmosphere and on Sunday evenings it gets even better as you can listen to live music at the weekly open mic night.
Pearly Cow
Relatively new to York, Pearly Cow arrived at 1 Clifton in March last year. This elegant restaurant inhabits the Georgian townhouse that once belonged to the Grange Hotel and its ambient interior seamlessly melds period features with contemporary styling. Pearly Cow’s menu is shaped by a theme of ‘fire and ice’ and features locally-caught chilled seafood and high-quality meats. Its Sunday Roast costs £36 and promises ‘great things from the off’ with starters such as three garlic baked oysters with Wensleydale cheese or Wye Valley asparagus, Puglia burrata and spring truffle. You can then choose from a 45-day salt aged beef sirloin, roast chicken or a wild mushroom and tofu Wellington, which are accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, roast parsnips, cauliflower cheese, glazed carrots and roast potatoes, as well as sauces and the perfect gravy. Pearly Cow’s desserts include mouthwatering options like a rhubarb crumble soufflé with custard. Alternatively, those who prefer to stick to savouries can finish their meal here with a plate of truffled Baron Bigod cheese, black figs and a raisin and malt loaf.
Minster Refectory
If you’d like to surprise your Mum with lunch in a stunning setting that’s like no other, York’s Minster Refectory might be the place to head. Here, you can sit beneath old stone arches that date back to 1833 and dine on beautifully-presented dishes from a seasonal menu devised by chefs Andrew Pern and Joshua Brimmell from The Star Inn The City. On a Sunday, you can enjoy a roast sirloin of Yorkshire beef, which costs £26 and is served with duck fat roast potatoes, pot roast carrot and parsnip, greens, cauliflower cheese and pan gravy. This can then be followed by puddings like Granny’s tipsy sherry trifle or a Manjari chocolate tofu mousse with peanut butter and blood orange jelly.
Images- @plonkers90, @choppingblockyork, @pearlycowuk
