The Royal Shepherd - Menu

Thai Basil

➤ 1 Cavendish Street, Craven, United Kingdom, BD23 2AB

Thai • Asian • Vegan • Vegetarian

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"Thai Basil is the best restaurant in Skipton, which we have frequented regularly since it first opened in 2011. We have always been made to feel very welcome by the Thai family who run the restaurant. The food has always been excellent and the staff attentive and caring, we felt looked after , more often than not being treated to a free dessert, by lovely Pat and her husband. Last year, Pat and her husband moved to the Kings at Clitheroe, and friends of theirs took over the running of Thai Basil in Skipton. I have submitted previous excellent 5 star reviews of Thai Basil, on this occasion I have given the restaurant 3 stars for one reason only, being told we had to vacate our table in 5/10 minutes, immediately after our plates had been cleared. I had booked our table (for 6 for a birthday celebration) three weeks in advance, for 6.30pm Saturday. At the time of booking there were two other bookings, one for 6.00 and one for either 7 or 7.30. I made the booking in person, when dining there one lunchtime. At no time was I told there would be a time limit on our stay, not when booking, not on arrival, or by telephone before arriving. We arrived on time at 6.30. our starters arrived about 7.00, and our mains probably towards 7.30. At 8.05, when still finishing our drinks, the young waitress came to our table and said we would need to leave in 5/10 minutes. 90 minutes is not very long for a party of 6 to have a celebratory meal. I complained and was told by the young server that she did not want to tell us to leave but had been told by the more senior server that she had to. I then spoke to the more regular server and complained , he did not apologise or explain. I told him (with whom I had made the booking in person) we would leave when we were ready, as at no point had we been told our booking was time limited. It was clear that they had overbooked, to accommodate a party of 16. Our table must have been booked out again at 8pm for diners who were waiting in the entrance hall. I was very disappointed by our experience. and was tempted to remove the optional service charge which is now automatically added to your billI but didn 't as the food and service had been good. I know this would not have happened if Pat and her husband were still in charge. It spoiled what should have been an excellent night out."

Slaters Arms

➤ Crag Lane, BD20 9DE, Craven, United Kingdom

Soup • Fish • Steak • Seafood

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"What a wonderful discovery! While on our canal holiday, we docked at Low Bradley on a sunny Sunday afternoon and ventured into Bradley in search of a pub. We were thrilled to come across the Slaters, with its amazing patio perfect for a sunny day and possibly the best view I've ever seen from a pub patio. Dogs were welcome to sit outside, with plenty of water bowls provided for them. It felt a bit like a dog show, especially when we joined the crowd with our two Newfoundlands! After enjoying a couple of drinks, we took our dogs back to the boat and returned to the Slaters for dinner. We were lucky to snag a table as they were fully booked, a testament to the quality of the food. The menu offered something for everyone, from fresh fish to steaks, great vegetarian options, and Sunday roasts on the specials board. My spinach ricotta lasagne was delicious, and my partner's fish and chips disappeared in no time. The portions were generous, so we had to skip dessert, although we did indulge in a delicious garlic bread starter. I couldn't help but notice a person at the next table enjoying the homemade New York cheesecake, which looked amazing and came in a huge portion. It's funny how some really slim people can eat so much! Overall, the Slaters Arms is a fantastic pub with delicious food. I have to give a special shoutout to the landlord and landlady, who despite being busy, were friendly and welcoming, taking the time to chat with everyone. It was a refreshing change. The Slaters Arms has my vote, and we will definitely return, even though it's not particularly close to home."

Coopers Cafe

➤ 6-8 Belmont Street, BD23 1RP, Craven, United Kingdom

Vegan • Coffee • British • Vegetarian

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"Unfortunately I can’t comment on the food as we didn’t get that far, but I won’t hurry back. We had the most unfriendly of greetings, which is surprising given the current climate.. the cafe wasn’t busy and there were a lot of staff members who failed to make us feel welcome. On entry I clarified that we could sit inside with our dog and we were then sent back outside to choose our food before I was allowed in to order at the counter, after which the rest of my family with two small hungry children would then be permitted to sit down at a table! I am happy to go along with whatever new protocols eateries put in place to cope with covid however be consistent! A large family arriving after us all took themselves to a table whilst one of the party ordered at the counter. When I did come in to order (with my family still waiting on the busy road side outside) there was no soup left, (fair enough but make that clear when people are likely to choose the soup) so I changed to a poached egg to be told that isn’t possible after 12..do they not boil water after 12, do the eggs disappear at midday?! I don’t know but after the unfriendly “welcome”, the inconsistency of covid rules and then the palaver of ordering I gave up and went elsewhere. Perhaps the quality of the food makes up for it all but I’m not in a rush to find out."

The Woolly Sheep Inn

➤ 38 Sheep Street, BD23 1HY, Craven, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Seafood • British

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"We dined at the restaurant one evening and coincidentally, it was Yorkshire Day, so I had the opportunity to enjoy a roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding. Although I was looking forward to it, I must admit it was just okay, as I have had tastier ones before. However, spending time in The Snug during the wet weather was still delightful. We enjoyed hot chocolate and reading a book, and it was nice to chat with other guests. Unfortunately, our experience was marred one evening by inconsiderate dog owners who allowed their aggressive dog to disturb other patrons in The Snug. Despite our well-trained dog, we were subjected to unpleasant behavior from the other dog and its owner, leading us to cut our evening short and leave. It would have been better if the staff had intervened to control the situation. Such behavior from selfish owners can ruin the experience for everyone else."

Le Bistro Des Amis

➤ 1 Jerry Croft, BD23 1DT, Craven, United Kingdom

Pizza • Steak • French • European

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"Quite simply the best food in Skipton. It 's tucked away down a side street but near the main car park and M&S so easy to find. We regularly go for Sunday lunch and have always been impressed by the quality of the food and the ambience. The waiters and waitresses are friendy, attentive and efficient, the sort of 'proper ' waiter you often don 't get in the UK. It 's as if Michel Roux jr trained them, I wouldn 't be surprised if he was helping out in the kitchen too."