The Coach & Horses in Harrogate has revealed plans to expand its bar.
Provenance Inns bought the pub on West Park in 2021 and extensively refurbished it.
But the new, much smaller bar has met with a mixed reaction.
Provenance Inns has now applied for a variation of its premises licence to relocate the bar. A notice advertising the move has been posted in the pub window.
Anthony Blundell, head of business development at Provenance Inns, which bought the site in 2021, told the Stray Ferret:
“The application is for moving the bar.
“It is in response to the feedback we’ve received from our guests, since our remodel, to have a much larger bar that our guests can sit or stand at.”
Mr Blundell added the company had also applied for another bar in the upstairs dining room, adding:
“[This will be to] service dinners and make it even more appealing for private parties.”
The Coach and Horses has rebranded as the Sleigh and Reindeers over the festive period.
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Masterchef semi-finalist at the helm of Harrogate’s Coach and Horses
This story has been sponsored by the Provenance Collection.
A former Masterchef contestant has been appointed as the new head chef at the Coach & Horses in Harrogate.
Formerly executive chef at Harewood Estate and a semi-finalist of the 2016 MasterChef: The Professionals, Josh Whitehead will head up the kitchen at the pub on the corner of West Park and Tower Street.
His new menu will see seasonal produce sourced from the Provenance’s own kitchen garden, or from carefully selected partners across the region.
Pizza butter chicken kieve with polenta fries and dressed leaves. Photo: Claire McClean Photography
Josh, who will work alongside his best friend, Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club in Leeds, said:
“I am really excited about the Coach & Horses, with a great place in the history of Harrogate and a promising future, myself and Andy look forward to cooking up delicious British classics using the best possible produce with love and respect.
“Our aim to is cook dishes that are comforting and familiar whilst drawing inspiration from British pubs, exceptional ingredients and classic cookery, with a typical Josh and Andy flair.”
Starting his career washing pots in nearby Wetherby, Josh quickly shifted to front of house at Restaurant Bar & Grill, Harrogate, where he helped the head chef to prep shifts in the kitchen. Biding his time, he was promoted to commis, his first paid chef role.
Croissant and marmalade bread and butter pudding. Photo: Claire McClean Photography
However, it was during his training at Thomas Danby college, Leeds, he got a taste for working with fine dining restaurant Anthony’s.
Many subsequent roles, including Harvey Nichols, The Tetley, Northern Bloc Ice Cream and then the opening of House of Koko, all helped to prepare him for his role.
It was during this time that he also met his best friend, sous chef Andy, while working at the Ox Club.
While working as executive chef at The Harewood Food & Drink Project, he learnt about various aspects of livestock, wild game, vegetables and foraging.
To try the new menu, book a table at the Coach and Horses by calling 01423 789777 or visit www.coachandhorsesharrogate.com.
A relaxing dinner for two overlooking The Stray at the Coach & Horses
This story is sponsored by Provenance Collection.
With a history dating back as far as 1830, the Coach and Horses is a Harrogate institution.
The much-loved traditional pub was bought last year by Provenance Collection, which promised to keep it true to its heritage.
Work to revamp the pub has been extensive. The once central bar has been moved to the back of the ground floor and there is a restaurant upstairs.
It was here, after a warm welcome, that we enjoyed dinner-for-two on a sunny evening overlooking the Stray.
The classic decor is inviting, with dark wooden tables, plush seating and colourful artwork adorning the walls. The large windows frame the outside greenery perfectly and it was lovely to look at the view while sipping a cold glass of rose.
We skipped straight to the mains, however there are plenty of starters to choose from if you are hungry enough, including Doreen’s black pudding scotch egg (£9) and baked camembert (£10.50).
The main dish
With £1 from each sale going to Martin House Children’s Hospice, I chose the Coach & Horses Burger (£16). A tasty, homemade traditional burger, the thick, juicy patty was made with quality wagyu beef and topped with cheese and a zingy relish. It was served with skinny fries and dill pickles, which were covered in a crispy light batter.
My partner went for the aged sirloin steak (£32). Cooked medium rare and seasoned well, it would be easy to enjoy without the sauce, although the peppercorn added extra richness.
The chunky chips were crisp and fluffy on the inside, like good pub chips should be. Other mains include a steak and ale pie, a chicken tikka masala curry (both £16) and beer battered fish and chips (£16).
Leave room for pudding
As a pudding fan, I usually leave room for dessert and on this occasion I was glad I did.
We shared the sticky toffee pudding with miso caramel and vanilla ice cream (£7.50). The miso and caramel was the perfect blend of salty and sweet and the sponge was light and fluffy.
Agreeing to share was a mistake. Other options include vanilla creme brulee (£9) and chocolate mousse (£7).
While change might not be for everyone, the newly-revamped Coach & Horses undoubtedly boasts good quality pub food and a decent selection of cask ales, served in a relaxed and friendly setting.
The Coach and Horses’ famous Sunday night pub quiz has also returned, with all proceeds going to Martin House Children’s Hospice.
A new sandwich menu has been launched for those who want to pop in at lunch time, and it continues to boast some of the best views in Harrogate.