Pan Asian dining in the heart of the Yorkshire Countryside – Great British Menu contender is head chef
Take a talented young chef, a sumptuously designed restaurant, a stunning countryside location and throw in some Asian-influenced cookery; there’s no wonder everyone is talking about this restaurant and its rising star in the kitchen.
We’re talking about Bar & Restaurant EightyEight, a unique dining experience which has been simmering away in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside near Ripon, for a couple of years. It’s part of Grantley Hall, a hotel which offers a luxurious place to relax and unwind.
But you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the delights of EightyEight, which is not only open to non-residents but, throughout the Olympics will be serving up a very, very special after-dinner treat.
At the helm is Samira Effa, who started her career in a local restaurant whilst still at school in her hometown of Huddersfield.
Influences from her Iranian mother and Nigerian father gave her a love of rich flavours, but it’s her wealth of experience all over the country, including Michelin star restaurants, that has helped her hone her talents and become a chef to watch.
Although only in her early 30s Samira has been asked to compete in the Great British Menu three times, where she showcased great Yorkshire produce, her love of diverse cooking techniques and favourite flavours.
Among her dishes to win high praise was her exquisite dessert, called ‘On your Marks, Get Set, Go’. This realistic ‘stopwatch’ wowed celeb chef Tom Kerridge who described it as a ‘Showstopper’.
Samira EffaI am so proud to have taken part in the Great British Menu for the third time this year, the fact that I was asked back again is really humbling. The show has a fantastic following with viewers from not just the chef world, but further afield and I love to see it ignite excitement in food for so many people. It really demonstrates that food can bring people together in that shared enjoyment of an experience.
Grantley Hall Executive Chef Simon Crannage said: “It’s fantastic to have seen Samira on our screens once again, showcasing her culinary passion and flying the flag for Yorkshire. Samira has exceptional talent and I’m extremely proud that she was able to express this on Great British Menu once again this year.”
He added: “I’m sure it will come across on your screens, but Samira champions Yorkshire produce wherever she can in her cooking, with so many fantastic ingredients coming out of the Yorkshire region to use. I wanted to say a huge congratulations to her for competing for the third time.”
Bar & Restaurant EightyEight
EightyEight offers an intimate dining experience, comfortable but sumptuous surroundings and a mouthwatering Pan-Asian influenced menu.
Whether it’s a special occasion, date night or just a treat, it’s the perfect place to relax and spoil yourself.
“This is a bit of inner city dining in the countryside,” explained Grantley Hall General Manager Nuno César De Sá, who describes the décor as East-meets-West in a trendy but luxurious way.
With stunning lighting, including a bespoke colour-changing ceiling, and glass ‘cherry blossom’ light fittings, rich velvet upholstery in blues and golds, private booths, smaller tables and carefully planned layout, this two-floor 80-seater dining experience is one of intimacy and luxury.
It’s like a guilty pleasure you won’t want to give up!
It is surrounded by an ornate Japanese garden, and feels so far removed from its actual setting that it’s almost a shock to emerge into the heart of North Yorkshire.
On the menu
Similarly the menu combines these two worlds, being a fusion of Far East flavours all made with Yorkshire produced from local producers and suppliers all within a few miles of Grantley Hall
AROMATIC CHICKEN TEA
Nori rice crisp, yuzu, sorrel (GF, DF)
WARRENDALE WAGYU BEEF TATAKI
Charred pickled gem lettuce, kimchi emulsion, wild rice (DF)
GRILLED DIVER KING SCALLOPS
Smoked seaweed butter sauce, XO, samphire, furikake (GF)
ROAST CAULIFLOWER SATAY
Coconut, kaffir lime, coriander (GF, DF, VE)
GOCHUGARU SPICED MONKFISH
Thai red curry sauce, Whitby crab korokke, pak choi
FIVE SPICED HONEY GLAZED DUCK BREAST
Confit duck leg, miso caramelised onion, wild garlic (DF)
STRAWBERRY SAKURA
Iced strawberry parfait, strawberry sorbet, sakura milk foam (GF)
GRAND CRU KALINGO CHOCOLATE 65%
Chocolate, Milk Oolong, muscovado, kaya
Even the drinks have an Eastern influence with a cocktail list of flavours and twists from Korea, Japan and Thailand.
Treat yourself
EightyEight is open to non-residents, and its diners are as eclectic as its dishes and décor, as popular with younger people as more mature guests, and all are welcome to book a table to dine or purchase one of the packages.
You could try a Dine and Unwind option, which includes dinner and use of the spa until 9.30pm, or perhaps a tasting menu dinner with an overnight stay, or you could surprise someone with a gift voucher for between £100 and £1,000.
For more details about EightyEight, more sample menus and information about Grantley Hall, the spa and its other food and beverage offerings visit the website here.