Earlier this month we went on a family day trip to York for my Mam's birthday. I've been to York quite a few times now and it always reminds me of Durham with the cobbled streets and some quirky shops. Usually when I've visited before I've stayed with chain restaurants like Nando's and Byron Burgers, but this time we went to a little pub to see what they could offer.
Hidden above the Trembling Madness store, on Stonegate in York City Centre, is a small pub, with an old English feel to it. I'll put it out there right now, taxidermy and animal heads kinda creep me out, a lot, so I wasn't too keen on the wall display. That aside, the pub did have a charm about it.
Serving a range of beers which are also available to buy in the shop downstairs. I had a browse and there were so many to choose from, from your more typical Brooklyn Brewery to Einstock (which they sell in The Botanist and it's great, coming from me, who isn't usual a pale ale drinker) La Trappe and many more. I spotted strawberry beer and a few obscure flavours too, so I guess there's something to suit all beer/ale tastes! 
I shared the Yorkshire Platter with my Mam since it was huge and we had a bowl of salad each too! I ate a pickle too, which isn't something I would usually do. I'm the kinda girl who takes the pickles and gherkins off burgers and discards them with the tomatoes. The ones on the platter weren't too strong and the taste worked well with the cheese. I tried charcoal cheese for the first time (and black pudding - accidentally - as it was on the top of one of the pork pies) which just looks odd but tastes great. Cheese tends to be a shade of yellow or orange, sometimes with a bit of blue, but I'd never seen black cheese before. Obviously looking at it, I was a bit hesitant to try it, but it just tasted like a mild cheddar. Not sure I'll be running out to buy some to eat with my crackers and olives any time soon, but if I order another platter, I'll definitely eat it.
My Dad and sister, Lucy both had a Mad Burger. If I remember correctly my Dad had blue cheese and Lucy had smokey. It's interesting they served the burgers with a salad bowl rather than chips, but then again, the burgers were pretty large.
The burgers were around £6/6.50 each and the platter £9, so really good value for the size of the meals. Around Christmas time they have mulled wine and mulled cider and a specials menu. I may have to propose another visit towards the end of the year for platters and mulled cider!
If you're passing by the House of Trembling Madness, it's well worth a visit, even if you just pop in for a drink. We visited around 12:30/1pm on a Friday and not long after we arrived, it was very busy. Since it's quite small, I'd recommend going along early if you can.Where's your favorite place to eat in York?
Earlier this month we went on a family day trip to York for my Mam's birthday. I've been to York quite a few times now and it always reminds me of Durham with the cobbled streets and some quirky shops. Usually when I've visited before I've stayed with chain restaurants like Nando's and Byron Burgers, but this time we went to a little pub to see what they could offer.
