“A rare dining experience east of Hull”
Reviewed 26 May 2011
Where to begin? Rumours are that the Roos Arms is aiming high, for a Michelin star no less. From my experience in late May and previous fortunate experience eating out around the world in places with a star rating, the Roos Arms is already worthy of the accolade. Quite extraordinary really because on arrival the outside areas look like many pubs with a mixed clientele of holidaymakers of all ages. The initial interior impact is similar - bar, pool table etc BUT ignore this if you are a foodie because this is a journey worth making. The front of house reception is excellent, street clothes carefully handled and hung in a secure area, correct, polite, professional - all adjectives to describe what is sadly missing from more well known establishments.
In reality this is no pub serving good food, it is a kitchen using the finest freshest ingredients, scallops and sea bass worthy of special mention, cooked to perfection and presented on the plate to a standard superior to at least two Michelin one-star rated restaurants I have used recently in Yorkshire.
I dined with several others and the murmurs of appreciation for each course were noticeable. Only one jarring note: as each course arrived from the kitchen the wait staff asked, for example, "who's having the etc". It should not be beyond the wit of those taking the orders to note who is having what, it takes the edge off that special feeling of personal service that otherwise the Roos Arms does so well. Consolation for them is that this is not confined to them, it happens in some much more expensive places with longer to have got it right.
The feel of the Roos Arms is reminiscent of the early days at Wintringham Fields before it became famous and people were asking "A top class restaurant near Scunthorpe?!". Well, Roos is even more remote but it is well worth the journey for the food alone, particularly as much of the East Riding is a culinary desert. They deserve to do well.
Visited May 2011
5/5 Value
4.5/5 Service
