Looking for a fine dining restaurant for a special occasion? Where There’s Smoke offers an intimate setting for private dinners and celebrations in the heart of Masham, centred around an ever-changing seasonal menu cooked over smouldering coals and embers. Groups of up to 12 guests can gather in the downstairs snug, arrange private use of part of the upstairs restaurant, or take over the entire venue for an exclusive celebration of up to 24 people.
Birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and milestone celebrations are particularly well suited to the space. Dark wood panelling and botanical wallpaper are paired with green velvet banquettes and burnt-orange seating, while globe lighting, mirrors and wooden tables add to the sophisticated atmosphere.
Where There’s Smoke's set-menu format works particularly well for groups, allowing everyone to progress through the courses together. A meal begins with a bread course such as treacle and poppy seed sourdough with buttermilk butter, followed by a starter like celeriac soup with chestnut and pear. Grilled red mullet with fennel stew and wild garlic mayonnaise could precede a main course like Studley Royal venison with winter chanterelles and cabbage, before an orange tart with burnt toast ice cream and a final sweet served with tea or coffee.
Private dining menus at Where There’s Smoke evolve regularly to showcase ingredients at their seasonal best, and a vegetarian set menu is also available, with other dietary requirements catered for where possible. A carefully selected wine flight can be paired with the courses, adding another element to the experience, alongside beer, cocktails and soft drinks.
Chef-owner Jon Atashroo brings experience from Michelin-starred kitchens - his love for cooking over fire came from his time at Elliott’s in London. He is also a passionate ceramicist and makes beautiful pieces, adding further to the sense that the dishes here are artistic and considered.