There are Sunday lunch destinations that you love -
and those you dread.
My personal pet hate? Those carveries
that are heaving with people at 11.45am on a Sunday morning. A time when
right-minded people should still be savouring their bacon sarnies. Yet
there you see them (and I know, because I've done it....).
Folks desperate to get their fork into
a chunk of meat. Convinced that unless they do so at this unreasonable
time of the morning, they will miss out on their lunch.
Try to find an eating place on spec at
the unearthly hour of say, 1 to 1.30pm without a booking - and people
who've scoffed their chocolate fudge cake with gusto will look at you
pityingly.
But there is a smidgen of hope for we
folks who like our lunch at lunch rather than at breakfast time on a
Sunday.
The Ellerby Hotel.
A gem of a lunchspot, nicely hidden
but worth hunting down. You'll find Ellerby signposted if you head off
the A171 moors road in the direction of Sandsend.
Or off the A174 coast road after
Staithes and Runswick Bay.
Ellerby is a one-pub town but what a
place.
It came recommended and we arrived
well after 1pm Sunday lunchtime, expecting to be turned away. And though
it was busy, it wasn't crammed.
Affable reception staff said yes, the
restaurant area was filled but we could eat in the bar...or we could eat
in the garden.
Irresistible offer on a sunny day.
Covered tables outside offered lovely cottage garden surroundings and a
sea view and a half.
The children could run around in the
garden and they were also offered sheets of fun in the form of a garden
treasure hunt, quizzes, puzzles and a packet of crayons.
We knew we were on to a winner.
Fabulous Sunday lunch was by now
expected - after all, everything else was perfect.
We weren't disappointed. My lamb was
juicy, tender and meaty.
Husband's traditional beef was rich
and likewise tender - we each were presented with two good slices of
meat.
The chicken option for the kids was a
sliced, roasted chicken breast no-frills and exactly what they love.
Each meal came with a hefty Yorkshire
pudding and appropriate sauce - mint, stuffing or horseradish.
Vegetables were plentiful too. A big dish of roast and new potatoes,
then two more separate dishes with cauliflower cheese, cabbage, carrots
and broccoli.
This was Sunday lunch at its most
traditional and finest. Not massive 'can't walk afterwards' portions.
Just tasty food you know has been cooked as it should have been - not
from the freezer or on a production line. I just wonder why every pub
can't get it right.
Anyway, The Ellerby Hotel did it for
us, and has more to offer it seems - nice rooms, a great setting and
even Chinese banquets. Now there's a thought!
BOOKING ENQUIRY
, ENQUIRY FORM , GUEST BOOK
, HYPERLINKS , SEARCH PAGE
, CONTENTS , The Ellerby Hotel
, PRICES, ACCOMMODATION
, Menus , Main
Menu , BANQUET
, Afternoon , Buffet
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, Hotel Ellerby
