Little Black Book of York: VJ’s Art Bar

Our favourite: for grabbing a spot of lunch – VJ’s Art Bar, 1a Finkle Street, just off Parliament Street

Parliament Street in York is the real, modern heart of the city, known for its distinct blend of old and new. It sits in that daring liminal spot between the archaic and quaintly beautiful Shambles and the commercialised, never-ending Coney Street with more shop brands than you can shake the proverbial stick at. This glorious heart is crowned with the understated fountain in the midst of many-a-passer-by and always full of traditional street entertainment. Away from this wealth of activity however, just tucked in ever-so-snugly in the top right corner is VJ’s Art Bar.

As you step into the place it’s hard to imagine this could exist anywhere else; just in the doorway you can feel the delicate pull between chic modernity and retro comfort. The chipped paintwork feature walls, adorning huge sections of the downstairs like some industrial tapestry, sit perfectly with the dark wooden flooring. On the walls are original paintings from local and up-and-coming artists. Not just for vanity’s sake: all of these are for sale, and whilst I resisted the urge to purchase one with my slowly dwindling funds, they do add artistic but casual sense to this café-bar. This level of detail only serves to accentuate the relaxed atmosphere, with the warm rich scarlet and cream walls mimicking fondly the homely food they serve.

VJ’s has a sprawling menu, ranging from the warming brie and med veg melt to the distinctly Yorkshire steak salad and constantly changing specials such as chicken and chorizo couscous salad and scrumptious seasonal soups to sip. Luckily for your wallet and your taste-buds, the prices are as attractive as the menu, with the huge selection of paninis (with salad, chips and coleslaw) just £5 between the student friendly hours of 12 – 6 and the more lavish options not prompting a call to the bank manager about increasing your overdraft. Regardless, there is never any deviation from the little touches, such a moreish salad dressing or home-made chips that make this place just so pleasant.

We opted for the paninis in true student style. This is where the “cheap and cheerful” student experience stopped however. A firm personal favourite, I took on the goat’s cheese and onion marmalade. This was genuinely the softest, most melt-in-the-mouth goat’s cheese I have ever had, sitting perfectly well with the sweet and balanced onion marmalade. The chips, so delightfully fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, also formed a perfect union with coleslaw and the entire meal’s perfect simplicity, with every part so perfectly done – a spot of lunch I’d happily grab and not let go of.

Gazing out of the leaded windows on the second floor (reminiscent of some lost Elizabethan townhouse) as we digest our thoroughly enjoyed meal we muse over how this place is such an unusual combination of contradictions: modern/retro, delicious/affordable. Pondering for just a little longer, it becomes apparent that our diminished appetites and barely touched wallets speak for themselves. Although this place escapes definition, it shouldn’t escape your attention.