York Eats: Roots
Because it’s all about the tiny plates…
One of my favourite things to do on a date is to enjoy good food. Lee and I are both foodies. We honestly do not mind spending a few extra pennies and splurging on a gorgeous dinner as a date night option. However, Roots York has a new menu that allows us to taste delicious food, without spending a small fortune.
They have a new lunch menu, that is a smaller version of their feast menu, ideal for enjoying during a lazy mid-week afternoon. I’m a very lucky girl as I was invited to try out their new menu with my husband. So one very sunny Thursday, we headed off on a mini trip to York to taste some delicious food…
ROOTS, YORK.
First things first, the interiors. Quite simply, classically lovely. Very simple, very neutral. Very much up my ally. I love the display of Autumnal decor that I only imagine changes with the seasons. As the restaurant is based on fresh, local and seasonal produce, it seems fitting that Roots York’s interiors would reflect this. Very Instagramable!
With the lunch menu, there are nine dishes, all designed to be shared with whoever you’re dining with. The delicious menu is made up of five courses, each dish unique but complementary with what they were being served with. For starters, we tucked in freshly made sour bread and seed crackers (which were amazing!) which were complemented with a Lincolnshire Poacher custard and chive cultured butter. Along with this, we enjoyed a kale salad dressed with sheep’s yoghurt, pickled walnuts and cured egg yolk. Finally, for our starters, we tasted Pablo beetroot cooked slowly in beef fat (mine was in rapeseed oil). Out of all the starters, my favourite (other than that delicious seed crackers and butter) was the beetroot. Beetroot isn’t my favourite thing. Now, I love it and want to try it again at home.
FOR THE MAINS.
For the mains, we enjoyed a fish course: cod with ‘creamed leeks’ and smoked mussel. This is the perfect fish dish on a cold, Autumnal day. With this, we tucked into Oldstead potato and charcoal. I loved it so much that I want all my potatoes to be cooked in charcoal from now on. Utterly delicious!
Next on the menu is their lamb neck with fermented turnip. I was unable to try this. However, Lee has raved about this dish and how yummy it was. For me, I tucked into wild mushrooms with miso celeriac. Again, vegetables that aren’t my fave but I tucked into them with glee. With both these dishes, we had Hispi cabbage and fennel pollen. Again another great dish. For dessert, we tucked into a delicious apple pudding. Again, another great Autumnal dish, perfect for this season.
I always feel that I don’t best describe food in a way that will speak to foodies (other than it was delicious). So I’m passing over to my husband to provide a quote for this blog on his summary of his visit to Roots…
Everything was delicious, well executed and thought out. Each dish made great use of an array of British produce and as such highlighted the versatility of quality ingredients. Nothing felt out of place on the plates.
Lee Griffin
I cannot thank Roots enough for inviting me to try the menu. The food was absolutely delicious and it was such a lovely way to spend time with my husband. We loved it so much that we are looking to come back again in November and for Lee’s birthday in January. I cannot recommend booking a table here. Trust me, you are going to love it.
This dinner and drinks at Roots York were complimentary in exchange for a review. All thoughts & opinions are still my own.