Studley Castle

First a staff mention:
Lisa McManus — Restaurant Manager: Very customer focused, and aims to please, and makes you feel welcome. A credit to the staff management team.
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I have not stayed at the hotel, but eaten at the restaurant.
The menu changes daily, but is limited to about 4 starters and 4 main courses. There are about the same number of sweets. I think that this menu is geared to the hotel guests rather than regular restaurant diners.
My wife and I both had the same starter: Smoked chicken; it was very nice.
My wife chose the stuffed pepper, not her usual fare, but she said that this was due to the limited choice.
Menu:
Lamb
Chicken
Pollock
Stuffed pepper
I would have had the Pollock for a change, but it was to be flaked in a kedgeree style rice, and I much prefer a whole piece of fish.
I had the lamb, and it was cooked perfectly to my liking, and the infusion of the rosemary added to the flavour.
My wife ate her stuffed pepper and commented that it was just fine.
Again, my wife felt that the list was limited, and decided she wanted something that wasn’t on the menu: A selection of cheeses. The waitress went away, and saw Lisa and the chef, and it was produced with cheddar, stilton and brie, all the cheeses my wife likes. Only criticism from her was being given little packets of butter, when the roll, with the starter, was served with butter on a plate.
I had the apple and plum crumble, what it lacked was the crumble. It had been reheated in the oven (NOTE they don’t have a microwave).
I liked the flavour of the fruit, but would have preferred it hotter. The ice cream was a bit of a disappointment. It was very bland, and would have stood out better being home made with vanilla pods.
The wine list was fine, but a bit pricey.
The bar had limited selections of gins, and brandies. As they are rarely asked for, so they aren’t stocked. A shame, because a good profit could be made in this area. Beefeater gin is not mainstream, even though it is 40%.
The restaurant itself was very quiet. The place needs a facelift.
Nevertheless, the weekends are busy with weddings.
It is a great location, and ideal for sitting out sipping a large G&T and looking out over the open fields.
Once they get the right gin :-)