Review on Melton's
After spending years learning his craft with the Roux brothers, Michael Hjort came back home to run his own restaurant in an out-of-the-way backwater of York not far from the racecourse. Since opening its doors in 1990, Melton's has established a reputation as one of the top restaurants in the city, a gem of a place that continues to deliver self-assured food in eminently likeable surroundings. Mirrors, murals and racing prints line the walls and it feels classy without being pompous.
Michael Hjort has a real respect for seasonal ingredients and his cooking is razor-sharp. Dishes like Whitby crab and smoked salmon with devilled toast and cucumber relish or pork belly with pease pudding, turnips in port and curly kale strike a forthright North Country note. The kitchen also looks abroad for smoked haddock carpaccio with fennel seeds and partridge with Mascarpone, thyme and polenta 'diamonds', while desserts cover everything from hot prune and brandy soufflé to white chocolate parfait with rhubarb
Special 'First Saturday Lunches' are built around a theme (perhaps 'Beef' or 'East Coast Fish') and there are special menus for Race Days. The wine list is a carefully chosen global slate with informative notes and plenty available by the half-litre carafe. A bustling and informal younger sibling, Melton's Too, is at 25 Walmgate in the centre of York.
Melton's is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern European
Chef
Michael Hjort
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 1.45pm Wed-Sat
Dinner: 5.30 - 9.30pm Tue-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card