An ‘official announcement’ is expected soon about Harrogate‘s newest restaurant.
The Stray Ferret revealed on Thursday the Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar was due to open on Cheltenham Crescent the following day.
The article generated more than 300 comments, with many people welcoming the opportunity to buy tacos and burritos in the spacious town centre venue.
But The Rooftop opened to mixed reviews online from customers who posted their experiences on sites such as Restaurants Harrogate Review Club Facebook page.
A social media account for The Rooftop replied on the thread:
it said:
“We know there have already been speculations circulating among the public.
“Currently we are in the process of sorting things out before making an official announcement.
“Please let’s all be kind to each others. We truly appreciate everyone.
“We are hoping to publish an announcement as soon as possible.”
Leeds-based owner Mason Elyas initially declined to comment when the Stray Ferret asked him to clarify the situation but later said the restaurant remained open as usual. It is open Thursday to Sunday each week.
Mr Elyas took control of the premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade just three weeks ago.
Le Bistrot Pierre occupied the site for many years. It was then briefly occupied by Samsons and then HG1 Grill and World Bar.
Read more:
- New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow
- In Pictures: Harrogate Carnival fills streets with dance, music and colour
New Starbeck chicken restaurant opens
A new chicken restaurant and takeaway has opened in Starbeck.
Chilli Chick’s, which is based on High Street, officially opened its doors today to become the fourth outlet of the restaurant chain.
The takeaway offers a range of food including chicken, burritos and rice boxes.
Farhan Murtaza, manager of the Starbeck outlet, launched the restaurant with his partner Khayyam Ifhaq.
Mr Murtaza said:
“We saw good scope for a chicken restaurant in Harrogate. Everyone seemed friendly.
“There is barely any chicken places around here.”
Read more:
- Cornish Bakery to open on Harrogate’s James Street
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The restaurant includes seating for 15 people, but also has the option for takeaway.
It will be open from midday until 11pm every day.
Chilli Chick’s also has outlets in Bradford, Dewsbury and Birmingham.
Call for entries as In Bloom contest returns across HarrogateHotels, pubs, restaurants, care homes and communities are being called on to be part of a floral competition in Harrogate for the first time since before the pandemic.
Harrogate in Bloom (HIB) has launched its annual contest for businesses and community organisations this summer.
It will be the first time the competition has been run in full since 2019, after being called off in 2020.
HIB member Mary Mann, who helps to organise the competition, told the Stray Ferret:
“We couldn’t meet or go round to see the gardens during covid.
“We did a small competition last year, but we’re determined it’s going to get back to normal this year. We used to have masses of entries before covid.”
The competition has four categories: bars and restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, residential communities, and communal gardens.
The latter is aimed at public places such as churches which have outside space, while residential communities are often blocks of flats with communal gardens.
Read more:
- Regal floral art wows visitors at Harrogate Flower Show
- Harrogate school pupil’s flower bed design for Queen’s Jubilee wins trophy
The size of the garden is not important in any of the categories – the judges will be looking at the way the space is maintained and the use of flowers, including those in containers.
Each entrant will be judged against RHS criteria and given an award for the standard it achieves, from a certificate of merit up to a gold award. A winner will be announced in each category in September.
Judging will be carried out by Chris Beard and Roger Brownbridge, both experienced Yorkshire in Bloom and Harrogate in Bloom judges.
To find out more about the competition, or enter by the deadline of June 30, click here.
Meanwhile, Harrogate is also gearing up for judging in the regional Yorkshire in Bloom contest.
Members of HIB and other organisations have been working hard to ensure the town is shown off at its best over the summer, maintaining its long tradition of success in floral competitions.
Harrogate BID, meanwhile, has been selected for Britain in Bloom after winning gold in last year’s Yorkshire Contest. The business organisation will be supported by members of HIB to prepare for judging.
Harrogate restaurant relaunches following £30,000 refurbishmentAn Italian restaurant in Harrogate town centre is set to relaunch next Thursday (April 27) following a £30,000 overhaul.
The refurbishment of Piccolino on Parliament Street sees the return of the ground-floor bar that was popular when the site was run as Restaurant Bar & Grill.
When it became a Gino D’Acampo restaurant in 2017, the ground floor was turned into a deli, but owner Individual Restaurants rebranded it to Piccolino in January 2022 and is now bringing back the bar area in response to local demand.
Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants, said:
“I spent 10 years of my life living in Harrogate and enjoyed every minute of it. On taking my position as CEO at Individual Restaurants, bringing the bar back to Harrogate was the top request from my friends and contacts – and this is exactly what we have done. We look forward to bringing back the buzz to the local community as well as ensuring that we continue to serve the finest Italian food and drink.
“I encourage everyone in Harrogate to come and relive the good times and experience the best venue in Harrogate.”
The re-launched bar will serve cocktails and host sets by local DJs. The roof-top terrace and private dining room will also be reopening.
The Harrogate restaurant is one of 18 Piccolino sites around England, most of which are in the North.
The venue will be led by a new general manager, Salvatore Cataldi, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, including stints at San Carlo and Grantley Hall. He said:
“I am super excited to be joining the Piccolino Harrogate team as general manager. I can already see how this will soon become the ‘go to’ place for dinner and late evening drinks in our new bar.
“I also have a strong business network within the local community, and I think our private dining room and rooftop terrace space will be a hit with local businesses looking to surprise and delight their teams and clients! I look forward to welcoming our guests to the restaurant over the coming months.”
The Manchester-based Individual Restaurants group has 18 Piccolino sites across the UK, including Harrogate, Ilkley, Collingham, Sheffield, Bramhall, Birmingham, Chester, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Stockton Heath, Bristol, London and Virginia Water. It also has restaurants operating under other brands in Leeds, Hull and Marlow.
Read more:
- Gino D’Acampo claims Harrogate restaurant rebrand was done ‘without my consent’
- New cocktail bar to open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street in two weeks
- New bar and nightclub to open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street
Leon to close today in Harrogate
Leon in Harrogate is due to close at 8pm today.
It will mark the end of an ill-fated nine-month venture by the fast food chain, which employed about 20 people on Wetherby Road.
The final meals will be served at 8pm unless supplies run out sooner.
The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.
They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.
EG Group considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before opting for Leon instead.
There is speculation it will now revert to its plans for a Starbucks, but the company has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries about its plans.
Read more:
The Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall retains Michelin star
The Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall restaurant has retained its Michelin star.
The restaurant, based within the 17th century luxury hotel in Ripon, is headed by well-known chef Shaun Rankin.
It was awarded its first Michelin star in January 2021 after being open for just 18 months.
The restaurant is the only one in the district with a star in the latest ratings, which were published on Monday.
Mr Rankin is originally from Yorkshire and bases his menus on locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen uses ingredients found in its own garden or within a 30-mile radius
Following the announcement this week, Mr Rankin said:
“It’s absolutely fantastic to hear that we have retained our Michelin star for a third year running – the team and I could not be more proud. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to work alongside such incredible local suppliers and I’m honoured to be able to use such a rich variety of their produce on our taste of home menu.
“Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall would not be what it is today without each and every guest that has dined with us over the years, so I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all those who have supported us over the years.”
Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall.
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.
Read more:
Danish champion bartender opens dream restaurant in Harrogate
This story is sponsored by Jespers Bar & Kitchen.
Danish-born Jesper Callisen opened Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen on Station Parade with the aim of creating a unique, cosy space that offers quality delicious food and drink, with amazing service, that will ensure all guests are treated to a fantastic experience.
The venue that was previously run by Filmore & Union and Hustle & Co, now has a bar, with a sophisticated restaurant upstairs serving refined British fare with an international twist in the evenings. In the Spring/Summer there is also the opportunity to enjoy al fresco drinking and dining in the courtyard and pavement seating.
But even though the 36-year-old may seem relatively young to open a 90-cover restaurant staffed by 18 people, he’s no novice to the industry.
“I first became interested in hospitality at the age of four, when I watched my brother practising his bartending skills in the garden. At the age of 7, I started collecting miniature bottles of whisky. “I wanted to be the best bartender in the world. I didn’t quite get there , but my passion for the industry grew and I managed to become pretty good.”
Some of the cocktails and food available at Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate.
Jesper has previously been crowned Denmark’s champion flair bartender three times consecutively and was ranked 8th in the world at the 2011 World Championships.
After opening Ofelia, a “wildly popular” bar for the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen in 2008, he then took his skills around the world, living and working in the Caribbean, Brazil, France, Spain and the UK. He said:
“I love people and I have worked and studied incredibly hard to be able to have the opportunity to travel, work and experience the hospitality industry in many walks of life.”
“After qualifying as a sommelier, I moved to the Cayman Islands, where I was lucky enough to work with an exquisite amount of fine wines.
“I ran the biggest tasting room in the Caribbean, with over 80 wines available by the glass. That was where I honed my skills and learned how to give people an experience they don’t forget.
“We don’t have quite that many here, but we do have a great deal of specially selected fantastic wines at different price levels, and they’re all superb. We also have lots of unique tipples, including an 1899 vintage cognac – only one exists in the world.
“We strive to create a place that makes you feel good, where you are looked after and the service and product you receive are second to none. A lifetime of stories will come to show on your plate, in your drink and from the service you receive.”
As well as being a champion flare bartender, Jesper Callisen is a qualified sommelier and holds wine-tasting evenings.
Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen marks the start of a long-awaited dream for Jesper, who runs it with his wife, Kelly. He said:
“We have been looking for the perfect place to open something like this for many years. We didn’t want to stay abroad and wanted to find a place where we call home. My wife, who has family that live in the surrounding area, loves the warmth and friendliness of Yorkshire people, so we came here. And she’s right about the people – they’ve made us feel very welcome.”
Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen will be holding events throughout the year, including wine tastings, cocktail masterclasses, live music, themed dinners and lounge sessions, and soon, Jesper’s will be serving street food tapas for lunch and in the bar in the evenings. This will be in addition to the restaurant offering in the upstairs dining area.
“This restaurant means the world to us, and we are just so lucky to be able to share it with such a wonderful community. Some customers have already become friends.”
“This is absolutely what I want to do,” he says. “It started when I was four years old, and now we’re here.
Find out more:
Jesper’s Bar & Kitchen is open every day except Tuesdays; for opening times, visit the website, www.jespersbarandkitchen.co.uk.
To reserve a table or enquire about booking a private function, call 01423 552844 or book online.
Leon confirms Harrogate closure amid speculation over site’s future
Leon has confirmed its Harrogate restaurant will close in just over two weeks’ time — as speculation mounts over the site’s future.
The Stray Ferret revealed this week the Wetherby Road fast food venue would cease trading, with the loss of about 20 jobs, on April 2.
Staff were informed of the decision on Monday.
A Leon spokesperson said today:
“We’re confirming we have decided to close the doors of Leon Harrogate on Wetherby Road. Our last trading day will be April 2.
“Guests will still be able to get their Leon fix at the drive-thru in Gildersome, and at the Leon Leeds Station restaurant.”
Retailer EG Group operates sites with franchise partners including Starbucks, Greggs and KFC in the UK.
It considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.
Our Facebook post about Leon’s closure generated about 400 replies, with people eager to know what will follow.
Some local residents had objected to the site being used as a fast food restaurant because of its proximity to homes and the busy junction of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Drive.
Vehicles will stop using the site after April 2 — but it could only be a temporary pause until a new business moves in.
Read more:
Harrogate fast food restaurant Leon to close
Harrogate fast food venue Leon is to close — just nine months after opening.
The Mediterranean-inspired drive-thru and restaurant opened on Wetherby Road at the end of June.
There were concerns that having a drive-thru close to the junction of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Drive would cause traffic problems.
But they failed to materialise and staff were informed yesterday the site will close on April 2.
A source, who asked not to be named, said:
“It is purely down to low sales to my knowledge, it has never been as busy as you would expect a new restaurant to be.”
About 20 staff, most of whom are part-time, are affected by the news. The source added:
“There was some discussion about other job roles in the EG group, which owns Leon, but it wasn’t clear exactly what would happen.”
Leon’s closure will prompt speculation about the future of the site.
EG Group had considered opening a Starbucks on the site and may be tempted to revive those plans.
EG Group is the UK’s largest operator of KFC, Greggs and Starbucks franchises.
It has transformed the derelict former dentist site and installed electric vehicle charging points. There is a large car parking area.
The Stray Ferret has approached Leon for comment.
Read more:
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Graveleys fish and chip shop serves first customers after 1,000 days away
Graveleys fish and chip shop in Harrogate served its first customers in more than 1,000 days today.
Owner Simon Pilkington was in town to oversee the reopening of the Harrogate institution, which appeared to have gone for good when it was sold in November 2019.
The takeaway is currently open five days a week and Mr Pilkington said he hoped the restaurant would return in about three weeks, but certainly by Easter, which he said was the trade’s busiest time of year. He said:
“It’s great to be back. My dad would have been elated today to see this if he was still alive.
“Being here has reminded me of all the good times, such as the Great Yorkshire Show week, when we were always absolutely rammed.”
Mr Pilkington said his family had no intention of selling Graveleys until Catch Seafood made an offer.
When Catch went into liquidation last year, the opportunity to return to the same site on Cheltenham Parade proved too tempting for him and his brother Andrew, who own other restaurants elsewhere.
Manager Sarah Knox holds a portion of chips.
Mr Pilkington reiterated the pledge made by manager Sarah Knox yesterday to go “back to basics”, adding:
“We will focus on providing quality fish and chips and then add some seafood delights depending on the feedback.
“Every day is a learning day. We will listen to what customers tell us and go with what they want.”
The takeaway menu includes fish and chips — either cod or haddock — for £9. The takeaway also sells a range of other fish and seafood, including squid, plus other chip shop basics, such as battered sausages and chicken nuggets.
One of today’s first customers
Read more:
- Graveley’s fish and chip shop to reopen in Harrogate tomorrow
- Harrogate’s former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant closes