Hotel du Vin York

Following the upscale conversion of an elegant Georgian town house on the Mount from office to hotel, Hotel du Vin has quickly established itself as a smooth operation that wears its chain branding lightly. Bar & public areas are decorated in the plush house style, all plump sofas, leather chairs & thick drapes, with a lighter touch in the bistro. The internal courtyard is an agreeable alfresco dining & there’s even a wine-tasting room with state-of-the-art spittoons. The bistro’s safe-bet menu of Anglo/Med standards includes chicken liver parfait, salt-cod brandade, ham hock terrine & potted rabbit. This might be followed by calf’s liver & pancetta or steak & chips. Vegetarian options take in the likes of Jerusalem artichoke veloute, courgette risotto or wild mushroom ravioli. A familiar choice of desserts takes in creme brulee, pear crumble & Bailey’s cheesecake.