Harden's says
Originally opened in 2007 in Walsh Bay, Sydney, this modern British restaurant from husband and wife team Lovaine and Adam Humphrey relocated to York in spring 2017, taking over the former site of Italian deli and café Le Langhe.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Fabulous food at a reasonable price” is endorsed by every report on Adam & Lovaine Humphrey’s stylish city-centre venue – and the “surprise extras” including “high-quality canapés, amuse bouches and the English cheese takes on worldwide alternatives” all go down a treat. Adam is originally from Yorkshire, but the couple ran restaurants in Australia for almost 20 years – more conservative diners may feel “the startling white decor would fit better in trendy Sydney” but most reports give it a strong thumbs up.
Summary
“So many things to like…” This “attentive small restaurant” is the work of Adam & Lovaine Humphrey, who cut their teeth ‘down under’ and moved to York after 17 years of running restaurants in Oz. Here, “there’s a total of only 18-20 covers, so they have to make each person’s experience a good one”. “The interior is bright, stylish and elegant without being OTT… The same can be said of the staff, plus friendly and efficient”. Foodwise, the culinary style is “interesting and appealing, without being too far out” delivering “a first-class meal at a reasonable price”. “You must leave room for the cheese trolley, personally presented by the chef”. Top Menu Tips – “Superb bread… outstanding rhubarb with the pigeon starter… beautiful venison”.
Summary
“Really worth a visit” – Adam & Lovaine Humphrey’s intimate, contemporary outfit (fewer than 20 seats) “doesn't disappoint”, whether you opt for the two- or three-course set lunch and dinner or the more elaborate five-course ‘Kitchen Menu’ blending market-led dishes and Arras staples. “Try to fit in the wonderful cheese course and petits fours too!”
Summary
“The food is exceptional and the choice is not so large that you are left bewildered” at Adam & Lovaine Humphrey’s “little” 18-seater, where you choose either a conventional two-course or three-course meal, or go for a five-course taster selection. “The excellent short menu is happily low on cheffy tricks but very long on accomplished and flavoursome cooking, and with well-suited wine matches”. The end of the meal is a highlight: an “outstanding cheese board” and “an amazingly generous selection of treats (ice cream cones, Turkish delight, jellies, donuts, chocolates…)”. “The ambience can be a little underwhelming” but it’s enlivened by the “lovely” service.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Arras?
The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW
Restaurant details
Arras Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Enjoyed a city break lunch. The set menu offered a range of dishes in each course. The restaurant is a quiet enclave in the bustle of tourist York. It’s light and airy and minimalistic, love the dramatic stripe artwork relocated from Sydney. The suit striped chairs are very striking. The sourdough loaf is very yummy and they even offer a doggy bag for leftovers. Lunch courses were attractively plated, not over fussy, generous, without being daunting and no upselling of sides! Service friendly."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.50 | £35.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £58.00 | £70.00 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8.50 | £28.50 | £7.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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