The Burlington Restaurant at Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel

The sumptuous Devonshire Arms in Lower Wharfedale cossets its guests from the moment tyres crunch on gravel. Fine dining takes place in the classy Burlington Restaurant under the direction of Steve Smith, whose Michelin star-spangled cooking is characterised by complex, highly technical work & intense flavours. An opening shot of grapefruit & basil mojito fires up the palate, before the kitchen wheels out halibut teamed with cauliflower, brown shrimps, caper butter, pickled grapes & sorrel or a plate of smoked sirloin & braised ox cheek served with parsley risotto, snails & red wine. Desserts also show class & artistry, witness a take on tiramisu involving mascarpone parfait, coffee, Amaretto & liquorice ice cream. The culinary fireworks are underpinned by impeccable service & a world-class wine cellar with some 30,000 bottles – starting below £20 & zooming up to five figures for the bonus schemers.