Fine seafood, fine wine list, fine (but relaxed) service and with just enough quirkiness and kitsch to make you smile.
The Wensleydale Heifer, an upscale restaurant in West Witton is famed for its "Whitby Fish & Chips" served in newspaper, as well as its roasted scallops, lobster any-way-you-want and grilled prawns. Its incredibly popular, so make sure you book ahead.
New owners have transformed the ground floor of the 17th-century coaching inn, and introduced a light and modern fish restaurant and bistro. A good selection of real ales are offered and a roaring log fire warms the inviting lounge. Spacious bedrooms are comfortably furnished.
About as far from the sea as you an get but the best seafood we've had anywhere, this decidedly land-locked Dales inn has quite a name for its cuisine, and - "in finest Yorkshire tradition" - the portions are "huge" too.
Top notch seafood in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales
Fish features strongly at the Wensleydale Heifer, despite its countryside location. The inn has its own restaurant and fish bar, both with a chic contemporary look. The menu has something to appeal to all tastes, from traditional fish and chips served in newspaper to warm salad of maple roasted lobster.
"They don't get any better than this" writes a dedicated fish and chips eater of 60 years experience.
This luxury boutique hotel near Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales offer treats for Rover and celebrates local heroes Wallace & Gromit and James Herriot with a themed room.
"Reel in a prize catch with Whitby cod, crackling Black Sheep Bitter batter, fat chips and posh peas which is the best fish supper you'll eat all year, in or out of newspaper."
The accent is on the excellent food, with a distinguished menu of dishes such as Whitby cod, Aberdeen Angus rib steak, maple roast native lobster, slow-braisind shoulder of West Burton lamb and their famous fish pie with a mature cheddar and nutmeg crust.
The superb accommodation includes four-poster rooms and provides guests with every comfort.
A high-end fish restaurant, smack in the middle of the country? Unlikely, but true. The lounge/bar of this rambling, white washed pub shouts comfort - all leather sofas and tartan carpet - but step into the "fish bar" and its as camp as Christmas. Knowingly naff details, such as joke crockery (the plate your dinner comes on is in the form of a newspaper) and potty pictures of seagoing cows on the walls belie the sensational dishes brought from the kitchen by local lasses in striped Breton jerseys. Whitby cod, crackling Black Sheep Bitter batter, fat chips and posh peas is the best fish supper you'll eat all year, in or out of newspaper.
Three more fishy delights
The Wensleydale Heifer
West Witton, North Yorkshire, Tel: 01969 622322
A high-end fish restaurant, smack in the middle of the country, with not a whiff of ozone? Unlikely, but true. Chef David Moss raises the bar with classic dishes, kitsch classics and the best fish supper you'll have all year.
Seriousness is reserved for the kitchen where a sizeable brigade turns out starters that can range from a perky beef salad to a fish soup that many French coastal chefs would envy.
The New Heifer is a Prize Beast.
Charming themed bedrooms are elegantly decorated and some provide mini-suites and four-poster beds. No luxury is spared: each room has Egyptian cotton sheets, Molton Brown toiletries and luxurious bath towels. Staff are experienced and offer excellent service.
Fish and chips, no matter how posh, may seem a cop-out in a place that offers itself as a fully-fledged seafood restaurant, but it takes technique to fry properly just as it takes discretion to assemble a simple dish so well. Someone in the large and manifestly expensive kitchen has these attributes.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, among the top five Sunday lunches in recent years.
The eclectic menu cannot fail to tempt the most discerning diner. The Wensleydale Heifer also offers a wide range of locally-produced farmed meats and produce.
Great name, even better menu. The Wensleydale Heifer was a pub, and is now a restaurant that specialises in seafood. Daily deliveries from nine separate fish suppliers ensure consistency and quality.