Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances was impressed with Ripon’s Manchega Tapas Y Vinos.
A chance meeting at a local dinner we were producing resulted in catching up with a colleague I hadn’t seen for years who used to have a delightful small restaurant on Duck Hill in Ripon, of which he achieved great acclaim.
Reminded of past good times my friends and I revisited this part of the city on a dark November evening. We were looking for a tapas bar we had heard great reports of.
A small warm and vibrant frontage presented Manchega Tapas y Vinos. It was such a pleasure to come across a real, authentic Spanish Tapas Bar.
Manchega offers a warm welcome – and the exposed bricks have been signed by previous guests.
Immediately my friends and I felt the warmth of the hospitality offered as we entered. A charming young man greeted us and showed us to our comfortable table upstairs.
Surrounded by different wines, black boards of exciting authentic tapas dishes, bright coloured walls with Spanish hats and spoons on, exposed wall bricks signed by previous happy guests we ordered some great Rioja by the glass.
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A vivacious lady helped us with our choices and talked us through the specials.
One of my friends declared the environment ‘just like being on holiday’, and that indeed was the happy atmosphere.
Frances was impressed with the food on offer, including the paella (pictured right).
The vegetarian sharing platter we chose was a great dish to have in the centre of the table. It included artichoke hearts, grilled peppers, sun dried tomatoes, feta, rocket, olives and bread.
Pigs cheeks, spicy sausage, calamari and gambas were many of the other dishes that kept arriving for us that evening. All the dishes were well defined with the use of quality ingredients and balanced seasoning.
A magnificent paella that tasted just as paella should usually only found in Spain took centre stage!
Having fond memories of my first small restaurant, the effort and work that goes into producing good hospitality and great food is not for the faint hearted!
This small open plan kitchen in this rustic and charming restaurant-bar is an inspiration to what a dedicated family team can achieve, especially in these difficult times.
Star rating: 4.5. Ripon is lucky to have such a joyful place!
Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise Food at Daleside Nurseries, alongside fellow Michelin-starred chef Roger Olive and front of house manager John Tullett.
The Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall restaurant has been awarded its first Michelin star after only being open for 18 months.
The restaurant, based within the 17th century luxury hotel in Ripon, is headed by well-known chef Shaun Rankin.
The restaurant opened alongside the hotel in July 2019 and both have since faced months of closures due to covid restrictions.
Despite this the restaurant has been recognised, Mr Rankin said this is a huge achievement and thanked his whole team.
Mr Rankin is originally from Yorkshire and centres his menus around locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen uses ingredients found in its own garden or within a 30 mile radius.
The restaurant is set within Ripon’s 17th century mansion, Grantley Hall. Photograph: Jack Hardy
He said:
“What a surprise and delight it was to be awarded our first Michelin star. I want to thank Michelin for believing in us and understanding what the restaurant at Grantley Hall is all about.
The biggest thank you has to go to the whole team, front and back of house. It seems odd not to be celebrating with a full service, however I’m itching to get back into the kitchen with them all. Here’s to a better 2021, this has certainly lifted the spirits!”
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- Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkin, gives us her weekly recipe all about oranges.
- Local produce expert, Stephanie Moon, says spring is on the way.
This isn’t the first Michelin star for Shaun Rankin. He opened his first restaurant, Bohemia, in Jersey in 2003 and it gained a Michelin star two years later.
He did it again in 2013 at his second restaurant, Ormer in Jersey which was awarded a Michelin star after only four months.