Ye Old Sun Inn, Colton, near York
We’ve been coming to this pretty, whitewashed 18th century pub in sleepy, leafy Colton for ages and always enjoyed it – it’s got a friendly, warm vibe and the food’s always been good in a couple of notches above pub grub sort of way.
Chef/Owner Ashley McCarthy and his wife Kelly have (bravely, given the climate) recently spent a king’s ransom on a massive refurbishment resulting in a third dining room and a snug (both of which look as if they’ve been this way for ever). Maybe it’s the shiny new all-singing-and-dancing-kitchen or perhaps it’s just that Ashley’s confidence has grown, but on a recent visit the food’s become seriously good.
The crowd-pleasing menu might see pan fried baby squid, home grown chilli, garlic on black rice, salsa Verdi dressing or Hawes Wensleydale & herb roulade with onion jam: in fact veggies are nicely catered for with mains like lentil potato cake, cauliflower florets and ciabatta crumb. My cod steak with parsnip and pear tart tatin & pancetta was faultless. It’s a very family-friendly spot (but you don’t have to sit in the same room as them just in case, like me, you’re allergic to under 10’s.)
Add the lovely big safe garden at the side with views across open fields and you’ve got every reason to drop by.
