Overlooking the main square, the imposing building that is the Golden Fleece is equally impressive on the inside, but it was the warm welcome from the staff that set the tone for the afternoon.
There were several smaller rooms and comfortable looking alcoves, where lunch could be taken, but we headed straight to the impressive chandelier bedecked dining room.
The dining room was painted in creams and blue with matching uphostery helping to create a relaxing atmosphere, and I was happy that the music, which also added to the ambiance, was playing in the background but not so loud as to interfere with conversation.
We were seated at a table in a corner of the room where an elegant French antique style beautiful mirror hung on the back wall, and I noted that the tables had been carefully placed to ensure a degree of conversation without fear of being overheard, though we were so loud we could probably be heard out in the car park.
Our waitress, Charlotte, charming and efficient, guided us through the extensive menu, explaining that the seasonal menus featured the finest locally sourced ingredients. As importantly she brought the wine list and later the pudding menu.
After much deliberation and a few changes of mind, all watched by our ever- patient waitress, we settled back sipping a very palatable Rioja and awaited our food.
As a vegetarian I have come to understand that it can be quite a test for a kitchen to provide anything above the ordinary, so I ordered the BBQ tofu burger, which came with a portion of fries. It didn’t look big, but given that this was lunch and I didn’t eat any more that day, you can draw your own conclusions.
One friend chose a Fajita Quinoa bowl with added chicken but declared herself beaten by the time it came to the third wrap, Our other friends ordered a Fleece Burger, which was a 6 oz beefburger also served with Fries and a Ham and Chicken pie served with thick cut chips. All delicious and all filling.
Not so filling however, that we couldn’t find room for a delicious pudding, my lemon curd cheesecake was perfectly tart and the others expressed their satisfaction with Chilled Chocolate Fondant.
Four coffees, later with the Golden Fleece’s famous and obligatory three maltesers each, and to a chorus of cheery goodbyes we were ready to walk off a lovely lunch in a lovely market town and bid farewell to Thirsk, but hopefully not for the last time.
For more information: The Golden Fleece, Thirsk
The Golden Fleece Hotel, Eatery and Coffee House
Market Place, Thirsk
North Yorkshire, YO7 1LL
Phone: 01845 523108
Email: mailto:goldenfleece@innmail.co.uk