The Biltmore

clar

looks nice but disgusting food 13th November 2009

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very nice inside and out and in a lovely part of York but oh dear what a disaster on the food side. Portions are tiny (avoid the scallop starter!), service is slow alrhough waiter was very friendly. But we were in there for the food and it flatters to deceive - sounds lovely on the menu but it all tasted rubbery, over cooked and in a place with so many fantastic restaurants I'm surprised its kept going as long as it has.Very very expensive and just not worth it. Desperately in need of a change in thinking on the food side, a pretentious place that doesn't live up to its image

thebiltmore

Food Hygiene Award 9th November 2009

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As the operator of The Biltmore can I please just set the record straight. We have been awarded 4 stars from the Food Standards Agency after they visited a second time. Unfortunately, they were unable to carry out a full inspection on their first visit due to the fire in our sister restaurant and the damage it caused in The Biltmore kitchen. Therefore a rating of one star was awarded which is a no way a reflection of our standards and committment to excellence.

oogywawa

Just 1 star for Hygiene inspection - ouch !! 4th August 2009

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Local Council inspectors said Hygiene was "poor" following their last visit with "little confidence" that management will ensure compliance.

mazphd at 01/09/09

Oh dear really? does this extend to their drinks menu's too? Eek.

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cmmort

The old style over content debate! 9th September 2008

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The Biltmore Bar and Grill has certainly bought a much-needed element of what can only be described as 'swank' to York’s nightlife. While olde-worldy pubs, towny chain bars and kooky artsy/studenty bars are plentiful, The Biltmore has filled a hole that we definitely felt needed to be filled.

The interior of the bar looks stunning, I particularly like the upstairs glass fronted wall showing shelves and shelves of champagne and wine bottles. There are comfortable booths along both sides of the main space downstairs, with small tables and high stools dotted around the central bar (which also provides perching opportunities). There is also a small external terrace. Upstairs there is a small lounge/bar area and then a restaurant on a balcony.

The Biltmore has an extensive wine and cocktail list, and foodwise offers an excellent grill menu at the tables to the right of the bar downstairs, with a full restaurant menu served upstairs. On anything but the quietest of weeknights, it is advisable to book to eat. I've only eaten from the grill menu served downstairs, but I can thoroughly recommend the food - my favourite is the Chicken and Chorizo pasta, one of the nicest I've had. And the food prices are very reasonable too (about £15-£20 a head with wine too).

My top tip for The Biltmore is the Champagne 60 offer. At certain hours each day they have huge discounts on 60 items on the wine/drink list and menu. A bottle of wine for well under a tenner! You can become a Champagne 60 member, which extends the times the discounts are valid and has certain constant offers. We became members at my birthday party this year - the membership costs £27.50 but you get a free £33 bottle of Moet! Moet then costs £25 a bottle with the discount (£8 off) - we made full use of this and had an amazing night (it was a special birthday I hasten to add!) and have been enjoying discount food and drink there ever since!

The Biltmore is without doubt very aware of it's swanky status in York, and is erring on the pretentious side. If you like your ale real and your service with a smile, you probably won't love it here. However, if you can see past the smugness and enjoy the elegant surroundings with a reasonably priced glass of champers in your hand this is definitely for you. The people-watching (particularly those who fully embrace the pretentious side ... think racegoers!) is always a fun pastime here!

saffire

Steak! 2nd September 2008

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The Biltmore is quite a trendy bar and restaurant, but it does have it's good points!

It has a nice selection of drinks and cocktails, and the odd friendly member of staff. The main problem, and the reason I only gave it 4 stars, is that the guy who runs it and most of the staff are unfriendly, unhelpful and rude. Is it really so hard to smile and say thanks?

However, the steak frites is fantastic, in both flavour and value for money. You have to get the peppercorn sauce too, it is great. I have had this dish several times and have not been disappointed!


It is easily the best steak i have had in York, better than Harvilles which will cost you about £30 and taste no better!

oogywawa

Stylish, with a great drinks list 28th April 2008

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Can I start with a couple of negatives, if only to get them out of the way...

- This place really needs to set its opening hours and keep to them. There is nothing better designed to p*ss people off than to decide to close early without warning as it's quiet on that particular night. Then they wonder why the following week when they are open later there is no-one in. This scatty approach does no-one any favours !

- An hour before closing most of the staff are cleaning up behind the bar giving the impression that they are already shut and putting off customers buying drinks. Again (as with early closing) a money saving method of cutting back on staff overtime that drives me mad. I don't want the smell of Antibacterial Cleaning material dominating my Cocktail...

The frustration is that this place could be that much better if only they got right the little things that exceptional bars do better - look at Mojo in Leeds for example...

Positively, there is always a good feel at weekends to this place, populated with what passes as the pretty people in York and the bar menu is extensive, the glasses are always immaculately chilled, as are the bottles of beer from 6 vast fridges and the staff are nearly always obliging and friendly. The music choices are eclectic and not always in tune with the clientele and that needs to be adjusted.

All in all - they are in the right direction and with a bit more dedication and thought could be up there with the best.

mazphd at 28/04/08

I would like to add that the Hendricks gin alla Biltmore (request with cucumber + dash of pepper) and slim line tonic is a dream! But agree the 'thoroughness' of the staff to clean up of an evening is rather off-putting to entice one to re-order. Sort it out Biltmore
:P

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mazphd

swanky not swine-y 5th April 2008

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Despite being located in SwinesGate The Bilmore is far from anything associated with pigswill. instead it's more befitting a 'posh' lounge bar. Set inside what was once an old church, the interior has been innovatively made over (possibly to much over with the red and black decor) and offers itself up as a champagne bar.

The bar itself is in the centre of the bar with higher than average bar stools that shriek 'we're trendy, look how high you're sat!' The food menu is your above average bar food, burgers 'made posh' with fiddly thin chips instead of big fat ones and overpriced steak served on wee little plates.

the cocktails are OK. but i don't rate their mojitos and they make their mai tai's with drumbai and orange liquor. YUK.

Still it beats the usual chain pubs of Yates and the Slug and Lettuce. And you escape the student vibe of other venues as there's a dress code here in the evenings. Men; shirts on please and no open toed sandles! Ladies just don't wear too much (or perhaps too little) denim and you'll be fine.