ONE of the great pleasures of an autumn weekend is a leisurely walk followed by a Sunday roast.
Wandering along York’s ancient City Walls, and browsing in the historic city’s mix of independent and high street shops, we’d worked up an appetite by the time we reached St Helen’s Square.
A few steps from The Shambles and York Minister, the vibrant, bustling square is home to The Ivy, where the popular Sunday Roast has returned for autumnal get-togethers with family and friends.
Available every Sunday from 11am to 4pm, it’s a lovely mix of comfort food, classic flavours and Ivy charm.
The Ivy was one of the glitzy London restaurants I remember reading about in the society pages of national newspapers - glamorous photos of movie stars and royals heading in and coming out.
The original Ivy opened in Covent Garden in 1917 and became a regular haunt for the rich and famous, from Puccini to Churchill. The restaurant remained open throughout the Second World War, even after it was damaged during the Blitz.
Today it remains a hotspot in London’s West End, and the legacy now extends to the Ivy Collection of brasseries and cafes across the UK.
The Ivy St Helen’s Square brings contemporary chic to a city steeped in Roman, Viking and medieval history.
It’s nestled in the heart of the city, close to landmark attractions such as the National Railway Museum, JORVIK Viking Centre, York’s Chocolate Story and York Dungeon.
The marble top bar is one of the elegant features.
After wandering around York on a busy Sunday, my sister Sophie and I were ready for some lunch. The Ivy was an oasis of calm against the hustle and bustle of the square; we were greeted with a warm welcome from the maitre d and shown to a cosy booth with sink-into cushions.
I love the decor at The Ivy; the bold prints, funky florals, plants, pillars, a marble bar top, pendant lighting and leather banquettes. Stylish and elegant, yet relaxed, it has a quintessentially British feel.
And what is more quintessentially British than a roast dinner? The Ivy Sunday Roast (£32) is beef sirloin with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans and broccoli, with rosemary red wine gravy.
As a vegetarian, I was served a tasty veggie burger with the vegetables, while Sophie enjoyed the beef which, she said, came just as she likes it.
Tucking into Sunday roast dinner at The Ivy.
The vegetables were fresh and beautifully cooked and overall the meal was delicious and just enough - not too filling, as some roast dinners can be.
You can pair your roast with a Bloody Mary or a glass wine from the extensive wine list. We decided on a cocktail - well, why not? - and went for The Ivy Royale; a refreshing blend of Tanqueray London Dry gin, strawberry, elderflower, mint and wild honey topped with the Ivy Champagne. Cheers!
Other cocktail menu choices include Toffee Fudge Espresso Martini, Raspberry Jam Paloma and Bread & Butter Pudding Martini, which sounds delightfully old school.
We had just enough room for dessert - the menu includes baked apple tart, flambéed crème brûlée, a selection of ice creams and sorbets and an artisanal cheese board. There’s also an intriguing Birthday Box Present - a golden chocolate orb with vanilla ice-cream, honeycomb, chocolate strands, raspberries, gold flakes and caramel sauce.
I went for Martini Affogato, which was heavenly - Bourbon vanilla with shaken coffee poured on top - and Sophie indulged in The Ivy Chocolate Bombe; a classic melting dome with vanilla ice-cream, honeycomb and hot caramel sauce. It looked theatrical - and was delicious!
The Ivy Chocolate Bombe, nearest, and Martini Affogato
We finished with a cappuccino, with the iconic Ivy logo swirled on top - one of the chic touches that make dining here such a special experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday roast lunch, the staff were friendly and efficient and the relaxed atmosphere was just the right vibe.
The Ivy St Helen’s Square serves breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks and dinner.
The Ivy decor is a sumptuous blend of bold prints and funky florals
From race season to pre-theatre dinners, it’s a stylish spot for dining - whether it’s a special occasion, a catch-up with friends or a leisurely Sunday lunch.
* This Halloween, The Ivy is getting into the spooky spirit with a week of wickedly tempting treats, from a limited edition cocktail and dessert to a frightfully fun breakfast banquet.
Young diners and their grown-ups are invited to the Little Monsters Breakfast Banquet, served on October 31 and November 1.
Priced at £32.50 for adults and £27.50 for children, it includes breakfast, seasonal treats, a Halloween toy and goodies to take home, with fancy dress encouraged.
And the limited-edition Wicked Eye dessert and cocktail is available for one week only from October 26.
The dessert (£13.95) pairs chocolate ice cream and dark chocolate mousse with honeycomb, pink angel hair and milk foam, creating a showstopping finale for Halloween dining.
Adult guests can raise a glass to spooky season with The Wicked Eye cocktail (£12.95), combining Ketel One Vodka, Beesou honey aperitif, lemon, white chocolate and raspberry for a devilishly delicious Halloween serve.
l Visit www.ivycollection.com