Misconceptions. There are a lot of them flying around these days. Although I wouldn't dare to tread on religious territory, there are plenty of other areas in life where they are prevalent. Where do they come from? How are they formed? My take is that people are influenced by what they watch on TV, read, and hear from others. Perhaps they had only one bad experience and then wrote off the whole lot. For me the key is to go out and experience stuff for yourself while keeping a balanced view in mind, in order to form your own opinion and not thinking what others want you to.
That said, I'm guilty of carrying my own misconceptions around. One example used to be my thoughts on Eastern European countries, which must surely have permanent bad weather and terrible food comprising potatoes and beetroot. I was wrong.
As for my thoughts on The North, I think science backs my belief that the weather is worse up there. Not that UK's weather is a selling point for tourists in the first place. Television and books have given me the impression that Northerners mainly subsist on stodgy foods, such as pie and mash, and fish and chips. I have no idea whether there is any truth to it.
A misconception doesn't necessarily have to be negative. I've long heard how friendly Northerners are compared to Southerners. This, I have now seen with my own eyes. In the restaurants, table neighbours will just start talking to each other. Such an exchange will rarely happen between Southerners, who have passed The Art of Blanking Strangers with distinction.
Nope, in the 14 years I've lived in the UK I haven't gone up north much. I've visited Grimsby three times too many, thanks to the ex in-laws living there. Enough grounds for divorce right there, I say. My sadistic satnav also took me through Bradford city centre on a Friday afternoon during rush hour. Never again. However, there are lovely places too. One of my fondest memories is of York. Skipton is now added to The Good List.
Skipton is a market town north-east of Leeds. In July 2017 a new restaurant, called Alexander's, opened its doors. As a hardened eater I find most menus boring. After a while everything seems to be a regurgitated blur with maybe three unique items if you're lucky. At Alexander's I hit the jackpot because just about all the dishes are offbeat and appealing. The cocktail menu is extensive and a mixologist is at hand to guide you or come up with a one-of-a-kind drink upon request.
The All Day Dining menu offer Nibbles and Sides but then goes off track by offering Small Plates, which are ideal for sharing tapas-style, or Our Plates, which is where two people share one plate. For the latter, think of sharing a Chateaubriand but instead of fillet you can share other items such as BBQ Pulled Pork (£32) or Beetroot Tarte Tatin (£24).
We had the following:
- Gin Cured Duck Breast with glazed figs and aged balsamic (£9.50)
- Treacle Beef with shallot puree, crispy onions and a red wine sauce (£11)
- Pepper Tuna Sashimi with a citrus salad and wasabi mayo (£11)
- King Prawn and Sweet Chili Dumplings with a soy, ginger and mirin sauce (£8)
- Panko Crumbed Monkfish with a caramel sweet chilli dipping sauce (£9)
- Burrata, Broad Bean and Hazelnut Salad with lemon dressing (£11)
- Halloumi Fries with cranberry chutney (£6.50)
- Kirsch Cherry Clafoutis with amaretto anglaise and pistachio ice cream (£7)
- Lemon Meringue Slice with raspberry sorbet (£6.50)
Yes, we had a heck of a lot of food and I had a classic Greedy Gourmet moment where I ate way beyond satiety - eating simply because of the joy of devouring good food. Alexander's serves London quality food and every dish is prepared with care, as clearly illustrated in the photos.
It was a pure novelty for me not to cook for a change and still be able to eat exquisite food that's beautifully presented. Even the desserts are interesting and dessert wine is available to pair them with. All in all, it was one of the best meals I've enjoyed thus far this year. Don't believe me? I suggest you challenge your own perceptions and try Alexander's out yourself!
Live too far away? You can make three of Alexander's dishes at home. Check out the recipes!
- Lentil Falafel with Lime Yogurt
- Prawn Dumplings with Soy and Mirin Dipping Sauce
- Blue Cheese Fritters
Alexander's
4-6 High Street
Skipton
BD23 1JZ
P.S. I was a guest of Alexander's.
save the recipe to your pinterest board
Leila Benhamida
I will order the Gin Cured Duck Breast with glazed figs and aged balsamic and the Lemon Meringue Slice with raspberry sorbet . Wow what a fantastic menu.
michelle
yep, totally agree on this point Leila 🙂
sam macaree
cote de boeuf
michelle
nice choice!
melanie stirling
It looks fabulous.I would order the Treacle beef and halloumi fries followed by the lemon meringue slice.
michelle
oh yum! sounds really delish
Wise Ways
I'd be happy just with the Lemon Meringue Slice with raspberry sorbet
michelle
thank sounds fabulous!!!
Wise Ways
I'd be happy with the Lemon Meringue Slice with raspberry sorbet
michelle
sounds lovely!
Azra Nasir
I visited Alexanders on Friday (13 April) as my niece was visiting from London and we always look for new culinary experiences when we visit each other, London always spoilt for choice. We were welcomed with genuine, friendly smiles which started the evening beautifully. We ordered Halloumi fries to nibble on before the main dishes of Burette broad bean and Hazelnut salad, vegetarian black pudding and white bean cassoulet and Panko crumbled Monkfish. I'm vegetarian, my niece is not. The menu offered a good vegetarian selection, which many places don't. The food was delicious ! We were too full to order a dessert, but as we were left to carry on chatting and finish our drinks, my niece asked me "what would you order if you were going to have a dessert?" I knew what she meant 😉 eventually we agreed to share the Kirsch Cherry Clafoutis, perfect and lite. The service throughout was attentive and came across genuine.
The quality, service, ambience were perfect and delightful. We went to The Ivy in Harrogate on our last outing, I preferred my visit to Alexander's to The Ivy.
michelle
Hi Azra! Thanks for sharing. Great to hear that you had a nice experience 🙂
cheryl hadfield
I would order the Gin Cured Duck Breast with glazed figs and aged balsamic
michelle
nice choice! x
Solange
The Gin Cured Duck Breast with glazed figs and aged balsamic.
michelle
nice!
Tracy Nixon
I'd order the BBQ Pulled Pork for a naughty treat! Hee hee!
michelle
😉 hee hee. I love that recipe too. Too bad I can't eat it anymore ...I gave up pork this year 🙁 🙁
Kim Carberry
The Treacle Beef with shallot puree, crispy onions and a red wine sauce sounds AMAZING!! I think I would have to order that x
michelle
AAAMAAZING combination! Sounds incredible I must say
Jayne Kelsall
Probably the Panko Crumbed Monkfish with a caramel sweet chilli dipping sauce, it sounds delicious .x
michelle
nice