Willowgate Bistro - Ryedale

As a meat eater with a partner who is vegetarian we always look for interesting restaurants. We eat out a lot. Staying in Pickering we read reviews for this restaurant and it had a vegetarian menu as well as a meat one. We could not get a table first night so took the only slot available at 5.3o today. My food was lovely, but my partner's was bland and although the food looked the part, it did not deliver on taste. The mushroom dish had grit and one of the stalks was inedible,It is a pity I think the chef must not understand the vegetarian palate, not the best dining experience.

We had the pleasure of eating in the Willowgate Bistro on Saturday 21st October. The welcome was very pleasant and friendly with coats being taken and hung up for us. The drinks were served with a very nice Tapenade on sour dough as a welcome before the meal. We all had different dishes for starters and main course each one of us really enjoyed them, including the perfectly cooked vegetable's. The deserts were also spot on. It is rare that I can say that each one of us had an excellent meal, but that was one brilliantly tasty and perfectly cooked meal. Compliments to the Chef and his staff. We will certainly return when in the area.

Found the resuarant on Go Pickering. Booked in advance for my birthday. We enjoyed fantastic food and excellent service. I particularly enjoyed pigeon starter and venison mains. Garlic mushrooms and a cheese souffle were winners too for my non meat eating friend.

Beautiful good and excellent service. This is a repeat visit and will go again. £38 for 2 courses, but we'll worth it. Reserve a table.

AMAZING FOOD!! Everything was delicious. The complimentary tapenade was surprisingly moorish, especially when neither of us like olives and it was a nice touch. We had the crab arrancini and pork to start, both were very fresh and piping hot, incredibly enjoyable. We had the monk fish and venison for mains and neither could be faulted. The monkfish was cooked perfectly, it was soft and fell apart. The venison was also perfectly cooked. We managed to squeeze in dessert which was well worth it. It was one of the fluffiest sticky toffee puddings I've ever had and the chocolate torte was huge and absolutely incredible. It was easy to tell the staff were passionate about their business and took the time to talk to us about the food and the local area. Definitely worth a visit. The higher price tag is reflected in the quality and quantity of the dishes.