For our first dinner out in Middlesborough, we decided to revisit the Muse in nearby Yarm just about a mile from our hotel where we had a fabulous meal 2 years ago after discovering this hidden gem.
Will's sister Carol was celebrating her birthday and joined us with he wife, Gill, who like Sam, is vegetarian and loved the menu options here.
To celebrate we started with a bottle of bubbly from Nyetimber in the UK which is a wonderful "champagne" maker indeed. We moved on to a Marsanne Viognier blend from Xavier Roger 2019. The wines here are varied and novel and offer many bottles, 125ml tastes, 175ml and 250ml glasses. Our main course red was a wonderful 2018 Dom Martinho blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon, speaking of novel wines.
The décor is nice simple and not pretentious with wooden tables of all different colors, although Sam almost had a fit when his foot hit a shrimp head left by the previous party that had fallen on the floor. The staff are super friendly and our server Emily did a great job, especially considering that the place was completely full on a Wednesday night both inside and outside as the UK has lifted all restrictions.
Many restaurants have posted signs asking patrons to bear with them due to the limited staffing.
Will and I started with the very rich and very hot Seafood Pancake which was a crepe in a cast iron pan filled with salmon Cod prawns and nestled in a rich Thermidor sauce. Gill and Carol had the Twice baked Cheddar and Spinach Soufflé.
The menu on this trip had fewer vegetarian options so Sam just decided to have a main course of the lemon Roasted Cauliflower Risotto made with smoked cheddar cheese and Gremolata.
Carol and Will chose the Garlic & Rosemary marinated Char-grilled Chicken with Bearnaise sauce, pomme frites(aka chips), rocket, shallot and parmesan salad. Gill had the Spring Green & Potato Welli6 that indeed looked like a Beef Wellington with grilled asparagus, buttered spinach and yes, Bearnaise sauce. My Confit Duck Leg was tender and fell off the bone served with curried potato Gratin, tender stem broccoli, peanut dressing(really couldn't taste the peanut) and a dollop of mango mayonnaise.
Vanilla Cheesecake with Passion fruit jelly, Fruit salsa granita and coconut sorbet was a big hit as was the Yorkshire Rhubarb and Strawberry fool with cold Cardamom custard, vanilla sponge and strawberry ice cream.
We felt the menu was less varied than when we were there before but many places are struggling and have reduced their options... The Muse is still a great place to go and we will head back again soon.
