Fairhursts Bistro - Richmondshire

This is another closed down restaurant. While it lasted the food was great. The catering side of Fairhursts continues, doing excellnt food for weddings, events and shoot dinners, etc.

Visited with 5 friends on a saturday evening. (The restaurant has very limited opening times) warm welcome from both the front of house staff. Table nicely presented and the room whilst small is relaxing. No real views out just the tarmac car park. The food menu is extremely limited but quite interesting; four starters, four mains. Items are somewhat unusual and have their own 'personality. . Yorkshire pudding with a real twist was on the menu when we visited. However I was disappointed by this when it arrived. Mother made them much better! My steak was well cooked (medium rare as requested) and tasted very good. My fellow eaters all enjoyed their meals and commented on how tasty they were.We finished the evening with a coffee (unfortunately without a chocolate a great pity!)We all had an enjoyable evening. Prices are on the high side.

Lovely bistro for lunch, the vegetarian selection had only one option which was all right. The salad selection was better.

Fairhursts is situated rather unusually in the rear of a rural conference centre (Middleham Key Centre). Do NOT let that put you off; just park in the car park at the rear and you will be facing the entrance to Fairhursts. Once inside, it is extremely cosy in a French bistro style.Food is tasty and well-presented. Guy can excel himself if he puts his mind to it. I would give it 5 stars if a) he was always there, and b) he concentrates. There is a monthly 'theme ' night which is usually excellent value for money, and is certainly always great fun. However, several times we have had 'ordinary ' but nice cooking from others when the chef should have been there himself to do it. The menu is interesting, quirky at times. Wine etc is very reasonably priced. Others have mentioned a 'wow ' factor. This is often present, and Fairhursts is the only restaurant in the area capable of that.

We were in a large group of about 20 and the kitchen coped really well getting all meals out nice and hot and fairly quickly the menu has some very unusual choices and I particularly enjoyed the eggs and soldiers desert. As we were a large group our bill was a hefty one but there is a 2/3 course set menu that was very reasonable and if I were local I would return to eat there again for sure. Hard to find so do not leave your navigation to the last minute!!