Elsworth Kitchen Skipton Review 

Elsworth Kitchen Skipton Review Written by YFG’s Sarah Cotterill, Photographed by YFG’s Jonathan Harris

Elsworth Kitchen Skipton Review

The market town of Skipton, sitting at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, is firmly grounded in its industrial past. A busy trade route delivering limestone to and from the rural quarries to the cities of Bradford and Leeds, the canal now offers visitors Pennine cruise trips on the colourfully painted narrowboats. Just over the cobbled humpback bridge, Elsworth Kitchen is a beautiful homage to its sixteenth-century foundations.

The Restaurant Interior 

Situated in an old storage warehouse, the restaurant’s brushed wooden floorboards and original beams, frame a refurbished space worthy of an interior design award. Reclaimed pieces have been given a modern feel; Edison bulbs with orbed glass pendants, a velvet teal seat-back hanging on leather carriage straps, an old school locker wine cage draped in fairy lights. Green cork topped medicine bottles and their signature whisks, ladles, and Victorian egg beaters hang in the windows.

Contemporary accents inhabit the duo’s style too; black radiators, paper lanterns and a textured yellow feature wall upstairs, create a gorgeous dining room, where groups can enjoy each others company with food and drink looked after. During our visit, couples linger over nibbles at the bar, and the joyful clinking of glasses from a group celebrating a wedding anniversary floats in the air.

Luxury Feversham Arms Helmsley Spa, Dine & Treatment

What to expect when visiting Elsworth Kitchen 

Opening in 2018, the husband and wife team have built the Kitchen at the heart of the town’s community, with Knit & Natter every Thursday, a local Baby Group, and regular craft workshops, wine tastings, events and daytime dining from Tuesday to Saturday. However, it’s the bistro-style evenings when Elsworth Kitchen really comes into its own. The warm, relaxed atmosphere is the backdrop to an accessible seasonal menu, with quality and provenance at the forefront. Customers are treated as individuals, not crammed in like battery chickens on a conveyor belt; you can watch chefs up and down the stairs carrying trays of fresh fish, floured loaves coming out of the oven at the start of service, and talk to the staff at the tiled pass.

The husband and wife team behind Elsworth Kitchen 

Chef Bruce Elsworth’s reputation in the area is considerable. Former Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition finalist. Recognised as one of the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry by winning a prestigious Acorn Award. Head Chef, followed by Operations Director at The Angel at Hetton, even Head of Taste at the much-loved Keelham Farmshop down the road. He now runs his namesake with grace and knowledge that underpins the experience.

Rebecca’s previous managerial positions include the multi-award winning Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, the four-star Craven Heifer in Addingham and five-star Ashmount Country House in Haworth. This combination of Bruce and Rebecca experience drives Elsworth Kitchen’s ethos.

Elsworth Kitchen Evening Menu

The ingredients are simple and understood, the main component familiar, yet flavoured with finesse. The miso roasted aubergine starter celebrates the unctuous vegetable, with a salty rich orzo salad, and cool coriander yoghurt. Our Farmhouse black pudding (formed, the traditional way, with fresh blood) was piled with shredded ham hock, homemade smoky beans, a Bourbon glaze lying in the crevices of a perfectly poached egg. The portions are generous and incredible value. The Friday evening set menu is £16.95 for two courses and £21.95 for three. Variations of both of these dishes are available on the popular Saturday Brunch menu; vegans will adore the warm umami aubergine on toast.

3-Course York Sunday Lunch for Two at The Refectory Kitchen

Next up, dukkah crusted seabass with golden beetroot and puy lentils, where wafers of black seaweed complement the spice blend’s heat. Underneath, bright pickled fennel adds a real zing to the dish. Also bold and surprising, the roasted duck breast, with mango salsa, and bubbled crispy sweet potato won tons, finished with a fragrant orange sauce.

With bottles from Le Bon Vin in Sheffield, and brews from Coffee Care, just a few doors down, there’s something to suit every taste. Elsworth Kitchen caters brilliantly for allergies, with dishes gluten, dairy, and nut-free as standard, inspiring creative little twists, like our dried chickpea dukkah.

Award Winning Afternoon Tea at The Black Swan Helmsley

Desserts aren’t an afterthought either, with a sharp lemon tart, and Pear Belle Helene. Chocolate lovers will fall head over heels for the ganache-like chocolate and cherry mousse, and breakfast fans ought to try the poached apricots with Yokenthwaite granola, baked just twenty miles away. Figs braised in mulled wine syrup, sit like puckered ombre bean bags next to the creamiest white mascarpone you could wish for. There’s an ample cheese selection, ice cream from Just Jenny’s and Vegan Northern Bloc, or you can round off your meal with a ripe Chilean Moscatel.

Skipton has a seemingly inordinate amount of places to eat, but with The Elsworth Kitchen serving up all-day meals of this calibre, we’re jealous of its residents.

Elsworth Kitchen, 18-20 Coach St, Skipton BD23 1LH – 01756 229224

Find out more at https://elsworthkitchen.co.uk/

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