Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Category: Under £5

Hotel du Vin & Bistro in Harrogate is the latest ‘Hot Spot’ venue for the in crowd.  The trendy well-to-do set are heading for this very cool cosmopolitan hotel in their droves.  The 5pm Friday suited gentry now have a new playground where they can drink fine wine and sip cocktails whilst chatting to like-minded friends and colleagues.

I decided to see if all I had heard about this so called ‘fantastic venue’ was true, I checked in around 3pm Sunday.

The place has a really cool but warm feeling about it, it actually made me feel a little decadent.  I pre-booked the Moet Suite as I had been told it was amazing.  We were shown to our room, to be honest all we wanted to do was drop our bags in and get straight out.  That option was immediately halted when we saw the Moet Suite; there is no superlative to describe our amazement.  I have stayed in some hotels in my time, but this room was outstanding.  The solid highly polished wooden floor, the 10ft (at least) wide bed, the full surround sound system, the 42” flat screen TV, the room was about 25ft x 25ft, then the bath room, oh my god!, 2 Victorian side by side baths, a sofa, a vanity unit and a 20ft x 4ft (approx) wet room shower.  Please, please stay in this room, however, anywhere you every stay after this will be a disappointment.  This is the biggest and best suite either of us have ever seen.  You get a menu of DVD films and CD’s to choose from, our afternoon in Harrogate went straight out of the window, there was no way we were ever leaving this room.

The evening meal was booked for 8pm, we reluctantly left the room and headed for the Bistro.  Once seated, in what I have to say was a full restaurant, we started to peruse the menu, then out of the corner of my eye I spotted Anthony Worrall Thompson dining with one of the Emmerdale cast, surely this is a good sign for any restaurant, my hopes were high now.  We ordered Moules Mariniere and Spicy Crab and Salmon Fishcakes, Beurre Blanc.  Both were outstanding, as was the service and the atmosphere.

The mains were Croft Black Aberdeen Angus Rib Eye Steak, Pomme Frites and Béarnaise Sauce and Corn-fed Chicken Breast, Puy Lentils, Tarragon Veloute.  The Angus was 1st Class, the Chicken was slightly dry however, the Tarragon Veloute was amazing.  We accompanied the mains with Buttered Savoy Cabbage, Parsley Mash and Mixed Leaf Salad.  The Cabbage and the Mash were just yummy.

Prior to the meal, I ordered a bottle of Gamet, a suggestion by the sommelier and a fine suggestion, so we ordered another after bottle No. 1 was quaffed.

The Puddings, Vanilla Panna Cotta with Blackberry Compote and Ginger Crème Caramel with Poached Pear, again at the risk of sounding boring, divine and I am not really a pudding lover.

We finished off with a glass of Port and a fine Cognac.

I might add at this stage that the wine list is like ‘War and Peace’ with over 45 Champagnes alone.  If you are a lover of wine, you won’t go far wrong here.  In fact, if you’re a lover of good service, good wine and damn fine food, Hotel du Vin should be your next night out.

Indicative of this type of venue, they do hit you a bit on the wine prices, but somehow it does not really matter here, we both felt special and indeed, were made to feel that way by the staff.

Hotel du Vin is a very high standard Hotel with a Bar and Restaurant that is almost stand alone from the Hotel, they don’t feel like they are part of the Hotel.  So much so that I understand the Bar most evenings is full and it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a table.

This is the best place I have ever reviewed; both my Fiancé and I tip our hats to all the staff at this fantastic spot. 

Reviewed by Neil Saville

Review Summary

Atmosphere ♦♦♦♦♦
Food ♦♦♦♦♦
Service ♦♦♦♦♦
Value ♦♦♦♦

Contact Details

Hotel du Vin & Bistro
Prospect Place
Harrogate
HG1 1LB

Tel: 01423 856800
www.hotelduvin.com