A stunning location, the warmest of welcomes and food that will astound… There’s no place like Homestead.
What to expect at The Homestead Kitchen
Confronted by the beautiful, sweeping expanse of heather moorland, viridescent dales and abrupt valleys, it’s easy to feel like you’re a million miles from home in the North York Moors. And yet, a visit to The Homestead Kitchen in the scenic village of Goathland will leave you feeling so at home you’ll be ready to don your slippers and curl up by the fire.
Chef Patron Peter Neville and his partner Cecily Fearnley opened The Homestead Kitchen in November 2021, converting a farmhouse in the village that Cecily grew up in into a fine-dining restaurant, holiday cottage and the place to raise their two young children. This is their home in both the literal sense and in the spirit with which they welcome guests.
Follow the signs along the brick pathway that beckon you towards the charming 18th-century building. Inside, you are greeted warmly by friendly front-of-house staff and, in winter, a roaring fire. There are two rooms – the bar and the garden room – with a few tables in each, generously distributed to facilitate a spacious and unobtrusive environment. The atmosphere is comfortable and informal, cordially inviting you to relax and make yourself at home.
What’s to eat at The Homestead Kitchen?
Yorkshire is a culinary cornucopia; from moorland farms to verdant dales to the coast, the quality and variety of produce is superb. Chefs at The Homestead Kitchen certainly make the most of this; the menu reads like a love letter to local bounty. Whitby lobster, moorland roe deer, Cold Kirby pork, local cheeses and even vegetables grown in The Homestead’s own garden are showcased on the winter menu.
And those ingredients are in very good hands – Peter earned himself an exemplary reputation as head chef and co-owner of the much-praised The Pheasant Hotel in Harome, and he is joined by his friend, acclaimed chef Peter Hall, to create seasonal dishes that are a delight to behold and joy to eat. It’s no wonder that, in just 2 years, The Homestead has warranted a place in The Michelin Guide, The Good Food Guide and won Yorkshire Life’s Restaurant of the Year 2023. You can view a sample menu here.
What’s to drink at The Homestead Kitchen?
There’s a substantial drinks menu with a good selection of wines, local beers and plenty alcohol-free options. When we visited, special aperitifs included a cocktail of kir royale, homemade blackcurrant liqueur and English sparkling wine; a fruity, non-alcoholic tonic from local supplier Bax Botanics (Wetherby, West Yorkshire); and a suitably festive Homestead mulled wine.
What did we have at The Homestead Kitchen?
We visited The Homestead on a bitterly cold, blustery Saturday just before Christmas. Most local businesses were closed, but The Homestead was a comforting beacon in the blackness, buzzing with activity.
Our meal began with amuse-bouches – a bitesize, delicately crisp donut filled with tangy whipped cheese and a gently marinated wedge of golden beetroot, both crowned with smooth, earthy mushroom puree – a lovely sign of good things to come. Next, generous hunks of delicious, homemade bread, baked with flour milled just 20 miles away by Yorkshire Organic Millers (Spaunton) (pictured above). With this was a wad of creamy butter flavoured with… wait for it… kippers! Yes, the idea might sound a bit, well, fishy (sorry!), but it works! We were soon smearing the smoky, savoury spread onto our crusts with enthusiasm!
Our first starter was agnolotti – a type of stuffed pasta made by folding one sheet over a filling (unlike ravioli, which involves the pressing together of two pasta sheets). The neat little parcels, encasing a sweet, homegrown pumpkin filling, topped with crispy sage leaves and roasted pistachios, were better than anything that Father Christmas could leave under the tree! These were blanketed by fine shavings of nutty Moorland Tomme from North Yorkshire’s Botton Village Creamery – a firm, savoury cheese made with Dairy Shorthorn cattle milk. And this isn’t just great-tasting cheese, it’s in support of a great cause, too! Read more about Alistair Pearson’s Botton Village Creamery and the Camphill Village Trust here.
Next on our menu was a tartare of venison with kohlrabi and quail’s egg. Hand-chopped raw game might not be everyone’s idea of beautiful, but this looked so good you’d be wanting to go home with its phone number. Perched upon a layer of exquisitely seasoned moorland roe deer fillet was a sunny yellow yolk, surrounded by lightly pickled kohlrabi ‘petals’, evoking images of the prettiest of Dales dog daisies. Pinwheel parsley crisps, buttery and flaky, were a tasty accompaniment.
On to the mains – firstly, sea bass with celeriac puree, roasted celeriac, black garlic puree and pickled black chanterelles (pictured above). This was wonderful and absolutely packed with flavour; the sweet, tangy black garlic was a particular highlight. We also had a beef dish of tender Dexter sirloin, winter greens and a rich sauce enriched finely chopped chestnut mushrooms. A hotpot of melt-in-the-mouth beef shin was a delight, and a whole carrot cooked in beef stock was a revelation!
Two desserts were on offer and we couldn’t resist trying both. First, a fiendishly good chocolate and praline slice with salted nuts and Grand Armagnac (pictured above); think of a Ferrero Rocher that’s dressed to kill for a night on the town. Then, caramelised rice pudding, so creamy and vanilla-laden that it was like a bowlful of Milky Bar for grown-ups. Clementine segments buried within were citrusy, Christmassy treasures and, on top, a dainty brown buttery madeleine completed this divine dessert. Finally, complementary salted caramel truffles were a treat to end a fabulous feast.
The love and passion that has gone into the food and the setting emanates from every aspect. Homestead is where the heart is.
Where can I find The Homestead Kitchen?
The Homestead is in the beautiful village of Goathland in the spectacular North York Moors. It’s a 20-minute drive to the famous coastal town of Whitby and less than an hour from Middlesbrough and York. There’s free parking at the restaurant.
What’s on at The Homestead Kitchen?
Occasional events take place throughout the year, including watercolour landscape painting classes, gardening workshops, festive wreath making and a Christmas fair. Products from local suppliers are available in The Homestead’s small shop. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and their website’s Events page to stay up to date.
The Homestead Kitchen, Goathland: Summary
- Michelin Guide recommended
- Fantastic food showcasing local produce
- Fine-dining
- Spectacular North York Moors location
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Carpark
- Woodburning stove
- Holiday cottage
- Seasonal events
Where can I find out more information or make a reservation?
Follow The Homestead on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, including opening hours and upcoming events. Visit their website to make a reservation or to book a stay.
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