Mega Pies at The General Tarleton, Ferrensby
What’s one of the greatest pleasures in life? A good ol’ pie. I was kindly invited to a very special evening at The General Tarleton in Ferrensby to showcase one of the ultimate pub classics: a pie. This wasn’t just any old pie, though; this was a mega pie!
The General Tarleton has been on my must-visit list for a while now. Located in Ferrensby between Knaresborough and Harrogate, The General Tarleton is part of Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks’ growing pub and restaurant venture. The kitchen is led by Chef Aled Williams, who was on hand to give us the lowdown on the evening.
The pub is just absolutely gorgeous, it’s also dog-friendly – and we will be back with Walter very soon. We were seated upstairs in a private dining area and greeted with a glass of champagne. I’m not one to turn down a glass of fizz.
The culinary experience kicked off with nibbles: Leek & Chive Croquettes and Venison Tartare.
The starter is one which really surprised me. I’m not a huge fish eater; it’s not something I would ever order. However, the crispy cod cheeks, served with crushed peas, lemon and warm tartare sauce, were unbelievable. I think there were pieces of potato too, so it just felt like all the flavours of the traditional fish and chips in one starter dish. This seems like a very popular dish with regulars and was certainly a hit with everyone. I’ll most definitely be ordering this again!
The crispy cod cheeks were also paired with a 2003 Newton Johnson Albariño, which was phenomenal. Stefan and I immediately added to our wedding wine list! It was a perfect match for our starter, too.
Moving on to the main event, the Beef & Guinness mega pie! These mega pies can be made with 24 hours’ notice to the restaurant, and they really are a show stopper. I love a good meat pie, and this has got to be up there with one of the best ones I’ve ever had. Served with a baked mashed potato and seasonal vegetables, it was a meal I won’t be forgetting in a hurry. The mashed potato obviously got Stefan’s seal of approval.
The dessert was another staple for The General Tarleton, which was the Sourdough Treacle Tart. Hailed by a food critic as ‘the benchmark for all treacle tarts’ – I knew we were in for a treat! Also, another dish I will certainly be ordering on my next visit. So sticky and sweet, paired with plum and crème fraîche ice cream. It was a big YES from me.
Finally, I actually tried my first-ever espresso martini. I’m not a coffee drinker, and I was impressed. A wonderful way to end the loveliest evening. As I said, we will be back very soon, as we just had the best experience. I also can’t wait to try their Sunday Lunch, which I’m sure you will see pop up on the Sunday Roast Diaries too.
