The Old Vicarage

Upon my return to South Yorkshire, I was on the lookout for a high-end restaurant to dine at on a Saturday night. It proved to be a challenge to find a fine dining establishment in Sheffield that wasn't as difficult as solving an ancient Greek puzzle. Eventually, I discovered The Old Vicarage in the neighboring county of Derbyshire. Despite having to navigate through the industrial landscape of Sheffield and the manor estate, I finally arrived in the tranquil village of Ridgeway. The setting felt familiar, almost like a typical Nordic environment where one would expect a cozy pub serving hearty meals.

The roast new season Scottish grouse filled with fruit meat was the highlight of the dish, accompanied by rosemary roasted carrots, broccoli with plums, and a crab apple and thyme angel. The meat and sauce were the standout features, with the unique addition of turned carrots adding a nostalgic touch.

The restaurant was busy on a Saturday evening, yet there was an eerie quietness in the dining room that some may find unsettling. However, I appreciated the solemn atmosphere as a welcome change from the usual hustle and bustle of city restaurants. The dining experience began with some dishes that were not to my liking, such as the Beetroot-Macaroon. However, the Butternut Squash Veloute and St. George Mushrooms were delightful and well-executed. The main course of spiced potato croquettes and haloumi with lemon and pepper yogurt was a pleasant surprise, especially considering my initial apprehension. The dessert was a classic combination of poached fruits, shortbread, and sorbet, beautifully presented. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. While friendly, it was unpolished and lacked attention to detail. Despite these shortcomings, dining at The Old Vicarage was overall a pleasant experience. However, with a bill totaling to a significant amount per person, a more refined service would have been appreciated.

In a beautiful old building that is sympatheticly decorated, welcome, attentive staff, beautiful lounges to have a pre- or post-dinner drink. the food was excellent and the wine couples well chosen. we will be coming back

For our Anniversary meal we had the taster menu and wine flight The service was great, staff have a good knowledge of food and wines The food was delicious, we had a lovely evening