The Fleece

Having read about this gem on Unilocal,I’d long been hoping to make a trip over so that I could experience it for myself. We’d tasted some of the fabulous Wharfebank beer back in December at the Christmas Unilocal do, and so I’d been dying for an excuse to have a further tasting.
First off, I have to say it’s a really stunning pub. The interior is decorated wonderfully, matching a cosy feel to a modern vibe, and yet still feeling like a trad pub. There’s a fireplace centrally for winter nights, and huge windows that can be opened up for sunny days like last Monday. And then there’s the terrace. Wowser! The garden and terrace out the back are simply stunning. There’s a special terrace menu, with fresh salads and such to enjoy, and you can go right to the bottom to watch the stream flow by. Picturesque, serene and simply wonderful.
Having read about the excellent chef I was looking forward to a high end pub lunch. I ordered the steak, however, which in hindsight probably wasn’t the best choice to allow the chef to flex some magic. It wasn’t disappointing; it came just how I asked (medium rare) and was beautifully seasoned — something I’m not used to of a steak dinner! The chips were lovely, salad grand, and peppercorn sauce very more-​ish!
All in all, I decided I’d have to come back and choose something new adventurous to really appreciate the food here. (Sunday lunch, perhaps!) The experience was rounded off by a half of their own beer, in the sun, and I was then a firm fan. The staff are fabulous (helping order and such) and it really is a must visit spot!

This is a cosy pub WITH quality beer and food WITHOUT pretension. Hurray! I defy anyone not to love it.
The Unilocal Christmas party introduced me to the Wharfebank Brewery who kindly let us try a few of their ales. Oddly we were tasting them in champagne flutes, but that didn’t stop me getting to the hearty and tasty flavour of this local micro-​brewed liquid. So when the managing director told us he owned The Fleece in Otley I knew I had to make an effort to go!
With a walk up to the Chevin Forest in mind and the dangling carrot of a pint at The Fleece at the end, we set off. Skipping to the pub part, a little bedraggled and muddy though we were, we didn’t feel too out of place when we strolled through the entrance.
After scanning the 15 or so pumps of locally brewed ales we soon got two pints of Tether (Wharfebank ale) in hand. We were told to find a table and they’d come over to take our food order. This ticked box number one: Table service for food and drinks (something average pubs just haven’t mastered).
So after a little deliberation we both opted for a Roast Beef Sunday lunch on the set menu. The A La Carte option is for Mon — Sat but Sunday’s set choices don’t disappoint with some of starters including roast Wood pigeon.
The Tether beer is a pale ale and was excellent. It’s smooth fruity flavour was exactly what I required to put me right after a long walk. The roast beef was probably the best I’ve ever had, served slightly rare and tender as it comes. The chef had even sexed up the veg, putting a fennel flavour with the carrots which didn’t detract. I normally reach for the horseradish to spice up my Sunday lunch, but here the flavours of the gravy and beef were so good I didn’t need to. With 3 thick slices of beef, I was happy with the portion size and would certainly come back here again.
The place was full of a mixture of people such as families reading newspapers and playing games with the kids, as well as elderly couples.
Despite this, The Fleece maintains a modern ambiance with the traditional relaxed atmosphere you’d expect from a stone-​built pub in the countryside.
For those just preferring pubs for drinking, there’s a drinking section to the pub on your left when you walk in. After you’ve warmed your cockles on the roaring fire that is.
It also has a wonderful looking beer garden overlooking the river Wharfe. I can’t wait to try this place in Summer.