It was a case of Halloween high jinks at The Ivy in Harrogate, cheered by a glass of seasonal Winter Spritz to make All Hallows Eve a night to remember.
The Parliament Street restaurant was dressed to impress rather than shaped to scare with flamboyant balloon arches in gold, orange and black greeting customers who enjoyed spirited drinks including a Winter Spritz - an autumnal twist on the traditional Aperol cocktail - this time with a cranberry twist.
The restaurant welcomed diners who entered into the seasonal spirit with a seasonal feast.
There's still time to try The Ivy's current Taste of Autumn menu which runs until November 10, featuring warming dishes such as French onion soup with gratinated cheese croutons and parsley and mains such as indulgent truffle chicken Milanese with free-range fried hen’s egg, brioche-crumb, truffle cream and Parmigiano Reggiano.
This menu sits alongside The Ivy's impressive 1917 menu which is a budget-beating £19.17 for two courses. Definitely an affordable indulgence this one - we can vouch for a starter of kiln-roast salmon rillette served with dark rye bread, crushed avocado, basil pesto and fresh herb salad. And, given we're now in the woolly jumper month of November, it's perfectly reasonable to lunch on the menu's Ivy classic of shepherd's pie, which is as comforting and indulgent as cosy slippers and Strictly.
That said, it's also tricky not to add a portion of zucchini fritti to any dining occasion at The Ivy. You could see bonfire-shaped mounds of lightly battered courgette matchsticks heading to pretty much every table. That's one to pencil on for November 5th. Remember, remember.
