Kathy Burke & Isabelle Scott leave the beaten track in search of good food…
Trinacria Sicilian Cafe
On a sunny Saturday afternoon with two good friends I was eager to have a m
uch needed catch up whilst enjoying a taste of Sicily . I noticed immediately how busy it was and this turned out to be a good sign. As you would expect there was a tempting range of salads, pastas and main courses on offer, as well as the more unusual array of arancini and focaccia. The most notable thing about the menu was the recurrent theme of ‘handmade’ and ‘homemade’ food.
For lunch I chose the mushroom, garlic and cheese arancini (a deep fried rice ball, served with a side salad of rocket, lettuce and vinaigrette) which came quickly and was made fresh to order. It was delicious, and at only £4.50 it truly was the perfect light lunch. Unfortunately, after such good service it took a surprisingly long time for our plates to be cleared- although nothing could counteract the temptation of the dessert display. The centre piece of this counter was undoubtedly the home-made traditional Sicilian style ice cream. I tried something a bit more adventurous, and went for the pistachio semi freddo (a frozen mousse). Although well presented, I was disappointed with my choice. This was my first semi freddo and I found the consistency too heavy and looked enviously at my companion’s cherry amaretto ice cream.
Overall, my experience at Trinacria was a very enjoyable one. The main course and bubbly atmosphere was well worth the trip out of the city centre, I will definitely be returning soon- even if only to finally try their ice cream!
The Good Food Shop
If you’re looking for a new food take away then look no further than The Good Food Shop on Bishopthorpe. It’s in the perfect location because Rowntree Park is just around the corner so you can take your light lunch and have a picnic in the sun!
The left hand side of the shop proudly displays a beautiful counter with an array of fresh meats from Parma to Serano ham, alongside a wide selection of specialist cheeses. To the right are wooden shelves reminiscent of a larder, and home to all the chutneys and jams amongst other items that are required by the most luxurious kitchens. In keeping with the British fare take on a delicatessen, to the rear of the store is a stand of cakes wrapped up and ready to go, handmade ‘with love and care’. There are also more exotic treats, including real Turkish delight from Istanbul.
Whilst The Good Food Shop has many pitta sandwiches and other takeaway snacks on offer, I was tempted by their Feta and pepper quiche and Mediterranean roll- all made locally. Both snacks were delicious and exactly what I was hoping for, but the price was the most pleasing thing at all at a mere £1.15 for the quiche and everything else was similarly priced.
This is a great place to stop by for a healthy snack and I for one are converted. It’s time to put down the Starbucks panini once and for all and start supporting independent shops like this!
The Pig And Pastry
Outside the city walls and off the beaten tourist track, the ‘Pig and Pastry’ is a easy place to miss, nestled between a greengrocers and an optician’s on the busy Bishopthorpe road. But to walk straight past and not to take note of this hidden gem, would, quite simply, be blasphemous.
With queues regularly stretching around the corner and only a handful of tables, we squeezed on the end of one long wooden tables, squashed between yummy mummies and a young couple. The interior is a mix between country pantry, and a idealised version of granny’s kitchen; limited edition Rory Motion prints line the wall, providing a stark contrast to the Cath-Kidston-esque vibe.
After chatting to owner and chef Steve Holding, it became apparent that people who brunch, come here for one thing: the eggs. Unable to make my mind up between the asparagus, poached eggs and the eggs royale, I finally settled on the latter. Smoked salmon and perfectly poached eggs were smothered in a buttery, smooth-as-silk hollandaise sauce, topped with chives on a bed of two muffins: it was heavenly. Although the English muffins were a little doughy, the locally sourced, fresh ingredients, coupled with superb cooking meant that even simplest of dishes wows you. Being full, we weren’t able to take advantage of the mouth-watering array of freshly baked cake, bread, sandwiches and deli options. At number 7 on The Guardian’s top 10 budget cafes and restaurants in York- this place certainly lives up to its hype. Although it’s not particularly budget friendly, with brunch coming to a maximum of £6 for food and the most expensive drink being £2 – it is well worth a visit!