Pheasant Inn, Harome

For years the Pheasant sat in the shadow of its bright shining neighbour the Star, then in 2008 its owner retired and the Pheasant was bagged by former Star owner Jacquie Pern.

Jacquie pumped new life into a dated village inn and created a sophisticated hotel and restaurant. The public rooms have been juzshed up with tweed and tartan with the malt whisky flavours of the shooting lodge, no doubt to appeal to the gun parties heading for the North York Moors.

Best of all, after some early ‘Squidbeakery’, the cooking has settled into an excellent groove. Less gutsy, more refined than the Star, but with still the same commitment to seasonal and local produce.  There’s assured technique and attention to detail in the kitchen making the Pheasant a very special place to eat.

Lunch can be as simple as soup and a sandwich, fish pie or sausage and mash or as sophisticated as the four-course lunchtime tasting menu. At whatever level you eat, the cooking rarely falters. Pea and mint soup and asparagus with morels started one memorable meal followed by belly pork unexpectedly but perfectly paired with langoustine. Vegetarians, children and Sunday lunchers are also well looked after with their own menu.

Dine in the airy conservatory, the classic dining room or, best of all on a sunny day, the wisteria shaded terrace overlooking the duck pond, especially lovely for afternoon tea: sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and cream – all or any combination served with tea, coffee, mulled wine or Champagne.

In 2021 chef and co-owner Peter Neville left the Pheasant to open the Homestead Kitchen in Goathland, but fear not, the Pheasant has not lost any of its style. We can confirm from a recent visit, it is as good as ever.