Our dear friends Sue & Steve who live 2 blocks from Cafe Lilli and whenever we visit we try to dine there as it is a highlight of our Yorkshire vacay. Friday night was no different, save for the noise and crowds as it was beyond busy. As we sat down and began to order, the staff were erasing items off the chalkboard and changing the ingredients as we made our choices!
They seemed a tad understaffed, but the food and wine made up for everything. We started with fish and ordered the Gavi di Gavi 2021 DOCG "Villa Sparina" from Massimo Moccagatta in Piemonte which was so yummy, the 7 of us (well, 5 who were drinking) had a second bottle.
I had the Steamed Shetland Mussels which came in a rich white wine and cream sauce with rosemary and altamura, while the Lobster Cocktail (which I was considering, but the last 3 available were taken by others at the table!) was a beautiful presentation with cherry tomatoes, pickled cucumber, baby gem lettuce, Marie Rose Sauce, Honeydew & Bloody Mary Gel! The Oak Roasted Salmon Pate with Avocado Mousse and Pickled Fennel looked fabulous as did the Risotto with Chorizo, Spinach, Pea & parmesan.
Samuel started with a gorgeous Carrot & Coriander soup, then actually ordered this same risotto for a main without the chorizo and raved.
We moved on to a Passo del Sud Appassimento Rosso from Puglia that was as yummy as could be with our mains:
Gressingham Duck Breast was cooked to perfection with the crispiest of skin, Carrot Puree, Fondant Potatoes, Buttered Greens with Beetroot and Turnip. Whilst this dish was the perfection of English meat and potatoes, it really shined on the English garden veggies as well. There was a Pork Belly as well as Hake with Salsa Verde, New Potatoes, Roasted Carrots, Spinach & Cauliflower Puree and Brady Sauce (well, the chalkboard said that, but we figured Brandy!).
Desserts here are excellent from the Coconut Panna Cotta with Passionfruit Gel, Meringue, Chocolate Disc and Pineapple salsa to the Sticky Toffee Pudding, but of course I had to have the local cheeses: Saxon Cross Cheddar, Goat's Mule, Brie(well, who knows how that got in) and of course, the always magnificent Yorkshire Blue.
We have one more night in Yorkshire before heading home and looking forward to another fab meal.
Happy Father's Day & Happy Juneteenth!
