AN EVENING AT THE MALT SHOVEL BREARTON
I was recently invited to a private dinner party at the Malt Shovel, in the tiny hamlet of Brearton on the outskirts of Harrogate and Knaresborough.
The dinner had to be cancelled last month owing to the terrible snow we suffered making the Malt Shovel innaccessible, but tonight a mere 15 minute drive from Harrogate had me ensconced in this cosy typically English country inn with a foaming pint of Timothy Taylors best in my hand! The Malt Shovel also serves the ever popular Black Sheep ale which I shall be sampling on my next visit.
The Malt Shovel was taken over in the Summer of 2006 by the Bleiker family and Swiss born Jurg,his wife Jane,son D'Arcy and daughter in law Anna make a fine team and they were very welcoming to all in our party.
D'Arcy and Anna are internationally renowned opera singers and regularly host opera evenings at the Malt Shovel which are hugely popular.
I opted for a pate starter which came with huge chunks of home made wholemeal bread and a fabulous chutney accompaniment. The majority of my fellow guests opted for the smoked salmon and were not disappointed.....the Bleiker family are famed for their Smokehouse so it wasn't a surprise that the salmon was first class.
A beautiful confit of duck in orange sauce served with saute potatoes and fresh vegetables was my choice for main, several of my fellow guests opting for the Sea Bass.
Bread and Butter pudding followed and in all honesty this was the best B&BP i have ever tasted!
It is obvious that the freshest possible ingredients are used by the owners, sometimes from their own farm produce,and smoking kiln . If like me the Malt Shovel has not been on your radar, I would heartily recommend you try it as it will soon be added to your favourites list!
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