The Royal Oak in York is a fine old traditional pub that serves fantastic quality food.
The Royal Oak can be found by following Goodram Gate along for around 5 minutes, it is situated next to the Golden Slipper, another Fantastic York Establishment. As you hit you are instantly hit by the age of the pub, the surrounding walls are littered with antiques and most nights both fire places have roaring fires lighting the room.
I have been to the Royal Oak many times and can vouch for the food, the sunday roast with traditional Yorkshire Pudding and two huge slabs of beef coated in thick onion gravey and sided with onion gravy and mashed potatoes makes me drool.
Monday Nights is Pub Quiz night at the Royal Oak, here you will be asked 40 questions and will be served copious quantities of a random meal plus pizza, quiche, sausage rolls, pork pies, onion bajhis and so on, making the pound entry fee (All of which goes to the winners pot) more than acceptable.
There are several beers, lagers and a guest ale which is changed regularly, so caters for most tastes in the drinking department!
I would recommend this pub to locals and tourists alike for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere, great bar staff, fantastic food and beer and not to mention its fires to warm you up if the weather is poor outside.
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Monday 28 April 2008
Thursday 24 April 2008
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
The Gourmet Burger Kitchen is a relatively new restaurant that has opened up on Lendal Street in York. It is a couple of seconds away from the highly popular museum gardens right in York City Centre.
I have to say the Gourmet Burger Kitchen serves fantastic food, and while it does not come with the usual selection of chips or salad the burgers themselves are more than enough for the most ravenous of appetites. Piled high these heavily flavoured jucy beef burgers were a sight for sore eyes, stacked high this was one of the few times I have had to get the knife and fork out to eat the towering burger. If meat isn't to your palette there are several Vegitarian burgers including a fantastic mushroom burger!
I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting York and looking for a relaxed but rather large lunch.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen Details
Opening Times:
Mon - Fri: 12:00 - 23:00
Sat: 11:00 - 23:00
Sun: 11:00 - 22:00
Address: 7 Lendal, York, YO1 8AQ
Tel: +44 (0)1904 639537
Saturday 22 March 2008
Oscar's Bar and Bistro
Oscars Wine Bar and Bistro is an incredibly well known venue for the citizens of York and can be found just off little stonegate. It's well heated Mediterranean alfresco dining area, coupled with its romantic secluded indoor dining areas make this a perfect location for a romantic meal or just some food with friends.
The food always arrives perfectly cooked and in generous portions, starters alone can keep most people going for a while, with a platter of nachos usually being enough to feed three or four people with ease. The main courses are delicious, they follow the Mediterranean / Mexican themes with sea food salads and tapas. For the more traditional of those among you however there is a fine choice of burgers, particularly the Oscars special. The Oscar's Special is a monstrously towering burger, if you manage to eat this then you have my congratulations as even my finely honed Yorkshire stomach has trouble demolishing this beauty of a burger.
The Restaurant not only has a friendly summery atmosphere, even in the midst of winter, but the staff are absolutely focused on ensuring you are enjoying your meal. They will regularly check to see that your condiments tray is full and that you are enjoying your food.
The drinks in Oscars can be fairly expensive, at around £3 a bottle. The food varies around £6-£12 but for teh generous portions you receive this price seems more than fair.
Unfortunately there is little accommodation for the disabled in Oscar's, this is due more to the age of the building than any lock of attempting to cater for them.
I have never left Oscar's in discontent before, I can safely say that this is one of the best restaurants in York and strongly suggest that you wander down to sample some of their delicious meals.
The food always arrives perfectly cooked and in generous portions, starters alone can keep most people going for a while, with a platter of nachos usually being enough to feed three or four people with ease. The main courses are delicious, they follow the Mediterranean / Mexican themes with sea food salads and tapas. For the more traditional of those among you however there is a fine choice of burgers, particularly the Oscars special. The Oscar's Special is a monstrously towering burger, if you manage to eat this then you have my congratulations as even my finely honed Yorkshire stomach has trouble demolishing this beauty of a burger.
The Restaurant not only has a friendly summery atmosphere, even in the midst of winter, but the staff are absolutely focused on ensuring you are enjoying your meal. They will regularly check to see that your condiments tray is full and that you are enjoying your food.
The drinks in Oscars can be fairly expensive, at around £3 a bottle. The food varies around £6-£12 but for teh generous portions you receive this price seems more than fair.
Unfortunately there is little accommodation for the disabled in Oscar's, this is due more to the age of the building than any lock of attempting to cater for them.
I have never left Oscar's in discontent before, I can safely say that this is one of the best restaurants in York and strongly suggest that you wander down to sample some of their delicious meals.
Friday 21 March 2008
The History of York
The History of York
The history of York is both Fascinating and incomprehendable. The sheer age of the city and its past filled with turmoil.York dates back to the very beggining of the first millenium, although there is evidence of a large settlement in the area dating back to 8000 years. York has gone through a fair number of name changes in its past, in celtic times it was known as Eboracum, then Eoforwik by the Anglo Saxons. It was when the Vikings came that the name really began to take shape as they renamed the town Jorvik.
Following the Norman Conquest in 1066 York became an incredibly important city in terms of commerce and growth, becoming a key point of conflict in the English Civil War. After the war York quickly began to regain its importance in the north and by 1660 was beaten only by London and Norwich in size.
Yorks history is vast and diverse for its size, with 34 Conservation areas, 2084 Listed buildings (One of which I have to live in, my house being 500 years old!) and 22 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. York has such a unique historic value that it is inundated every year by thouands of tourists wishing to see surviving buildings from medieval to Georgian times.But like all good books I think I should start from the beginning.
Prehistoric Settlement of York.
Archeologists ahve found evidence that there was a settlement in the York area around 7000/8000 BC (The middle stoneage), though it is unknown if these were permanent or temporary. Huge amounts of past remanants have been found around york, including polished stone axes to bronzed flint axes. On the south west bank of the ouse several Iron age burials were found and excavated, providing a huge insight into prehistoric life in York.
Roman York
When the Romans first invaded the areas around York there were two tribes, which were the Brigantes and the Parisii. These, while initially friendly however they became increasingly hostile twoards the Roman Occupation.
York was founded in 71AD when a top Roman blake called Cerialis brought his Ninth Legion to the area and constructed a militart fortress near the junction where the River Foss joins the River Ouse. This fortress was later rebuilt in stone and covered a huge 50 acres, more than required as a 6000 strong legion of the roman army was based there. Some original remains of these walls have been found under no less than the York Minster itself during recent excavations.
Around 109-122 AD the Ninth Legion disappeared. There is surprisingly little information about what happened to this huge band of men, though several theories exist, and all inforamtion seems to disappear after 117AD. They were replaced in this fortress by the Sixth Legion, who remained there for the rest of the occupation, which ended around 400 AD.
During Roman Times York was of huge importance, and four emperors held court in the city during their campaigns. Hadrian, Septimius Severus, Constantius I and his son Constantine the Great were all based in York at some point. Emporer Severus proclaimed York to be the Capital of Britannia Inferior (Lower Britain) and it is believed he pronounced York to be a colonia, that City to you and me.Constantius died while in York, his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed emporer by his troops stationed in the fortress.
It was this military presence that kickstarted York into becoming such a significant location in England during the countries history. With the Armies and Emperors came the craftsmen and their families, build workshops for military tools and pottery. The locations of Glassworks, Metal works and leatherworks are still known to this day. Most of these are easy enough to guess, Coppergate and Tanner row have names which do not leave much to the imagination!On the southwest bank of the River Ouse a permanent civilian settlement grew as the trade around the fortress increased.
As the size and importance grew York became a Colonia in 237 AD, one of only four in Britain. The other three were all retirement homes for soldiers!After the Roman withdrawl in 410 AD there is a period where historical evidence is sparce for around two centuries. This same situation occured over the majority of the country at this time. It is however believed that during thsi time York was capital of a British Kingdom called Ebrauc, ruled by Caer Ebrauc.
One of Yorks most prominant features is the city walls, extending for 3 miles around the city current day they did infact follow a diffent path during roman times. Today only 1/2 the city walls are Roman, the rest were rebuilt during Anglo-Saxon and Medieval times.
Anglo-Saxon York
The Angles from Northern Germany and the Jutes from Denmark first came to Britain in the later 5th or early 6th century. They left several remains in York including two Graveyards in the Mount and Heworth, both recently excavated. While there are several areas of Angolo Saxon remains from this time there is still serious debate as to wether this area was settled at all.It was in the 7th century that real evidence of York as a living city began to emerge again, Paulinus of York set up a wooden church that would one day become York Minster.
Throughout the following centuries the history regarding York is lacking in detail, although it was clear that during the Anglican period it was an important except that it was an incredibly important Royal and Religious centre. There are documents relating to the constructon of the Great Church of the Alma Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in the area, although its exact location is still a mystery to this day.
At the time it was part of the Northumbrian empire who established a library as well as the minster school. Alcuin a late advisor to Charlemagne was the schools most distinguished pupil, and later on in his life its master. The name Alcuin was later brought into name one of the halls of residency at the university. It was these that helped York to become a well known centre of learning.
It was in this period that the Anglicans built the Anglican Tower, a small square tower that still stands built into the York city walls to this day. The Anglicans kept the Roman Walls of the city in good condition, it is mostly to their efforts that you can still walk the 3 mile route in nearly a complete circuit to this very day.
Viking York
In 866 A Danish viking invasion swept through York. The Invasion, called the Great Heathern Army had settled permanently in the Yorkshire. Ruled by Viking Kings at the time this area became known to historians as the Viking Kingdom of Jorvik, the name the vikings gave to the City of York. The city of York is well known for its viking history, there are many remenant of it's history, a great example of this can be found at the Jorvik centre in the city centre.
This area was ruled by vikings until the last Viking King, Eric Bloodaxe was expelled in 954. This area was incorporated into the newly formed Anglo-Saxon State. Several churches from this era still stand today, St. Olave's on Marygate is a fine example of this, as is St. Mary Bishophill Junior.
Medieval York
After the Norman Conquest of 1066 York was substantially damaged during the harrying of the north in 1069. This campaign was launched in retalliation to a regional revolt in the north. It was during this time that two castles were built on either side of the River Ouse as the Lords of the time strove to ensure that the populace of the area remained under their control.
As time progressed your became an important administrative centre for the county of Yorkshire. It also became the seat of an archbishop and during the 13th and 14th century as an alternative seat of the royal government. Around that time it became an immensly important centre of trading in the north, due to both its location on the River Ouse and its industrious nature, making it the location of the formation of several guilds of commerce.
Several Churches were founded following the conquest, these are still standing today, including St Mary's Abbey and the Holy Trinity Priory Church located just off Micklegate.
The city came to house a large number of Jewish at the time, these were placed under the protection of the sheriff due to a strong resentment of the Jewish Faith. So fierce was this hatred that in March 16th 1190 the people of York formed a mob and chased the Jewish townsfolk of York into Clifford's tower, used by the sheriff. When the mob was unable to reach the Jewish residents the set fire to the tower and any Jews trying to escape the flames were massacred as they attempted to escape. The Jewish community in York eventually recovered and remained untill 1290 until the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290.
During the medieval era York prospered due to the commerce and trade it had built around it. Even today twenty medieval churches survive, although not all of them in their original state. Only eight of these are still used as places of worship.
The medieval city walls form a 3 mile cicuit around the city centre. Half of these are still part of, built on the foundations of or follow the line of the original Roman city walls. It was during the medieval period that the city gates or 'bars' were first created, four main ones and two minor. These were used to restrict the movement of the populace for exacting tolls aswell as being major defensive positions in wartime.
In later Medieval times there was a huge increase in the trading and economic welfare of the city. The city built a Guildhall which housed meetings between major market leaders. During the end of this period the shambles was created, a street of timber framed shops, still standing and trading today, with many resteraunts, stores and bars open.
In 1642 after Charles I broke away from parliment King Charles I established his court for 6 months in York. It was for this reason that York was seen as a Royalist stronghold as was brought under seige, eventually being captured by the parlimentary forces in 1644. It took some time for York to regain some of its previous glory, however by 1660 it became the third largest city in England.
In 1686 the Bar Convent was founded. This is England's oldest Convent after managing to survive in secret for during a time where anti-catholic laws were heavily enforced. The bar convent is till open today and can be visited during the day most weekdays.
The City of York has played host to some of Yorks greatest villains, Guy Fawkes was from York, and Dick Turpin was Tried, convicted and hung in York. Dick Turpin can be visited at his grave at St George's Church. His tombstone is under the name of John Palmer, one of his main aliases.
In more recent history George Hudson, one of Yorks most notable figures. Due to the actions of this man Yorks industry was rejuvinated as it became a major centre for the Railway industry in England. The other major figure in York was Joseph Rowntree, who founded the Rowntree's Chocolate Factory. He also became the founder of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which was a charitable organisation aimed at helping the less fortunate.
York continued to grow at a rapid pace, with its only setback being during the second world war where it was targetted in the blitz. During the air raids the railway station, the guildhall and the Rowntree's factory were all heavily damaged. 92 people were killed and hundreds of them injured during this air raid.
The history of York is both Fascinating and incomprehendable. The sheer age of the city and its past filled with turmoil.York dates back to the very beggining of the first millenium, although there is evidence of a large settlement in the area dating back to 8000 years. York has gone through a fair number of name changes in its past, in celtic times it was known as Eboracum, then Eoforwik by the Anglo Saxons. It was when the Vikings came that the name really began to take shape as they renamed the town Jorvik.
Following the Norman Conquest in 1066 York became an incredibly important city in terms of commerce and growth, becoming a key point of conflict in the English Civil War. After the war York quickly began to regain its importance in the north and by 1660 was beaten only by London and Norwich in size.
Yorks history is vast and diverse for its size, with 34 Conservation areas, 2084 Listed buildings (One of which I have to live in, my house being 500 years old!) and 22 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. York has such a unique historic value that it is inundated every year by thouands of tourists wishing to see surviving buildings from medieval to Georgian times.But like all good books I think I should start from the beginning.
Prehistoric Settlement of York.
Archeologists ahve found evidence that there was a settlement in the York area around 7000/8000 BC (The middle stoneage), though it is unknown if these were permanent or temporary. Huge amounts of past remanants have been found around york, including polished stone axes to bronzed flint axes. On the south west bank of the ouse several Iron age burials were found and excavated, providing a huge insight into prehistoric life in York.
Roman York
When the Romans first invaded the areas around York there were two tribes, which were the Brigantes and the Parisii. These, while initially friendly however they became increasingly hostile twoards the Roman Occupation.
York was founded in 71AD when a top Roman blake called Cerialis brought his Ninth Legion to the area and constructed a militart fortress near the junction where the River Foss joins the River Ouse. This fortress was later rebuilt in stone and covered a huge 50 acres, more than required as a 6000 strong legion of the roman army was based there. Some original remains of these walls have been found under no less than the York Minster itself during recent excavations.
Around 109-122 AD the Ninth Legion disappeared. There is surprisingly little information about what happened to this huge band of men, though several theories exist, and all inforamtion seems to disappear after 117AD. They were replaced in this fortress by the Sixth Legion, who remained there for the rest of the occupation, which ended around 400 AD.
During Roman Times York was of huge importance, and four emperors held court in the city during their campaigns. Hadrian, Septimius Severus, Constantius I and his son Constantine the Great were all based in York at some point. Emporer Severus proclaimed York to be the Capital of Britannia Inferior (Lower Britain) and it is believed he pronounced York to be a colonia, that City to you and me.Constantius died while in York, his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed emporer by his troops stationed in the fortress.
It was this military presence that kickstarted York into becoming such a significant location in England during the countries history. With the Armies and Emperors came the craftsmen and their families, build workshops for military tools and pottery. The locations of Glassworks, Metal works and leatherworks are still known to this day. Most of these are easy enough to guess, Coppergate and Tanner row have names which do not leave much to the imagination!On the southwest bank of the River Ouse a permanent civilian settlement grew as the trade around the fortress increased.
As the size and importance grew York became a Colonia in 237 AD, one of only four in Britain. The other three were all retirement homes for soldiers!After the Roman withdrawl in 410 AD there is a period where historical evidence is sparce for around two centuries. This same situation occured over the majority of the country at this time. It is however believed that during thsi time York was capital of a British Kingdom called Ebrauc, ruled by Caer Ebrauc.
One of Yorks most prominant features is the city walls, extending for 3 miles around the city current day they did infact follow a diffent path during roman times. Today only 1/2 the city walls are Roman, the rest were rebuilt during Anglo-Saxon and Medieval times.
Anglo-Saxon York
The Angles from Northern Germany and the Jutes from Denmark first came to Britain in the later 5th or early 6th century. They left several remains in York including two Graveyards in the Mount and Heworth, both recently excavated. While there are several areas of Angolo Saxon remains from this time there is still serious debate as to wether this area was settled at all.It was in the 7th century that real evidence of York as a living city began to emerge again, Paulinus of York set up a wooden church that would one day become York Minster.
Throughout the following centuries the history regarding York is lacking in detail, although it was clear that during the Anglican period it was an important except that it was an incredibly important Royal and Religious centre. There are documents relating to the constructon of the Great Church of the Alma Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in the area, although its exact location is still a mystery to this day.
At the time it was part of the Northumbrian empire who established a library as well as the minster school. Alcuin a late advisor to Charlemagne was the schools most distinguished pupil, and later on in his life its master. The name Alcuin was later brought into name one of the halls of residency at the university. It was these that helped York to become a well known centre of learning.
It was in this period that the Anglicans built the Anglican Tower, a small square tower that still stands built into the York city walls to this day. The Anglicans kept the Roman Walls of the city in good condition, it is mostly to their efforts that you can still walk the 3 mile route in nearly a complete circuit to this very day.
Viking York
In 866 A Danish viking invasion swept through York. The Invasion, called the Great Heathern Army had settled permanently in the Yorkshire. Ruled by Viking Kings at the time this area became known to historians as the Viking Kingdom of Jorvik, the name the vikings gave to the City of York. The city of York is well known for its viking history, there are many remenant of it's history, a great example of this can be found at the Jorvik centre in the city centre.
This area was ruled by vikings until the last Viking King, Eric Bloodaxe was expelled in 954. This area was incorporated into the newly formed Anglo-Saxon State. Several churches from this era still stand today, St. Olave's on Marygate is a fine example of this, as is St. Mary Bishophill Junior.
Medieval York
After the Norman Conquest of 1066 York was substantially damaged during the harrying of the north in 1069. This campaign was launched in retalliation to a regional revolt in the north. It was during this time that two castles were built on either side of the River Ouse as the Lords of the time strove to ensure that the populace of the area remained under their control.
As time progressed your became an important administrative centre for the county of Yorkshire. It also became the seat of an archbishop and during the 13th and 14th century as an alternative seat of the royal government. Around that time it became an immensly important centre of trading in the north, due to both its location on the River Ouse and its industrious nature, making it the location of the formation of several guilds of commerce.
Several Churches were founded following the conquest, these are still standing today, including St Mary's Abbey and the Holy Trinity Priory Church located just off Micklegate.
The city came to house a large number of Jewish at the time, these were placed under the protection of the sheriff due to a strong resentment of the Jewish Faith. So fierce was this hatred that in March 16th 1190 the people of York formed a mob and chased the Jewish townsfolk of York into Clifford's tower, used by the sheriff. When the mob was unable to reach the Jewish residents the set fire to the tower and any Jews trying to escape the flames were massacred as they attempted to escape. The Jewish community in York eventually recovered and remained untill 1290 until the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290.
During the medieval era York prospered due to the commerce and trade it had built around it. Even today twenty medieval churches survive, although not all of them in their original state. Only eight of these are still used as places of worship.
The medieval city walls form a 3 mile cicuit around the city centre. Half of these are still part of, built on the foundations of or follow the line of the original Roman city walls. It was during the medieval period that the city gates or 'bars' were first created, four main ones and two minor. These were used to restrict the movement of the populace for exacting tolls aswell as being major defensive positions in wartime.
In later Medieval times there was a huge increase in the trading and economic welfare of the city. The city built a Guildhall which housed meetings between major market leaders. During the end of this period the shambles was created, a street of timber framed shops, still standing and trading today, with many resteraunts, stores and bars open.
In 1642 after Charles I broke away from parliment King Charles I established his court for 6 months in York. It was for this reason that York was seen as a Royalist stronghold as was brought under seige, eventually being captured by the parlimentary forces in 1644. It took some time for York to regain some of its previous glory, however by 1660 it became the third largest city in England.
In 1686 the Bar Convent was founded. This is England's oldest Convent after managing to survive in secret for during a time where anti-catholic laws were heavily enforced. The bar convent is till open today and can be visited during the day most weekdays.
The City of York has played host to some of Yorks greatest villains, Guy Fawkes was from York, and Dick Turpin was Tried, convicted and hung in York. Dick Turpin can be visited at his grave at St George's Church. His tombstone is under the name of John Palmer, one of his main aliases.
In more recent history George Hudson, one of Yorks most notable figures. Due to the actions of this man Yorks industry was rejuvinated as it became a major centre for the Railway industry in England. The other major figure in York was Joseph Rowntree, who founded the Rowntree's Chocolate Factory. He also became the founder of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which was a charitable organisation aimed at helping the less fortunate.
York continued to grow at a rapid pace, with its only setback being during the second world war where it was targetted in the blitz. During the air raids the railway station, the guildhall and the Rowntree's factory were all heavily damaged. 92 people were killed and hundreds of them injured during this air raid.
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