Box Tree

Okay it has taken me a little while to write this review… for no other reason than I had such an explosion of things I wanted to write that it has taken a little while for the brain dolphins to stop thrashing to the point where I can actually give you any sort of cogent guide to a meal at Box Tree.
Deep breaths. Take it a bit at a time Angelina. Are we sitting comfortably? Then I will begin.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
WOOOOOOOOT!!! WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT!
GNNNNNNNNNNARRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF­FFF!!!
TEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE *asthma attack*
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze.
*pause*
*pause*
*gently crawl back down from ceiling*
*sit*
*type*
Sorry. Where was I? Oh yes. Box Tree!
There are different types of favourite meal. My all time great has been a tiny seafood café in San Jose, Almeria where I had spent all my last few pennies of spare cash on a giant seafood platter before tucking my tail between my legs and heading back to England, broke and a failure. The sun slowly set as I curled up on the knackered old wicker seating and dined on lobster, spider crab, mussels, squid and a plethora of all the other tasty, leg ridden, gill sprouting delights that the Mediterranean has sucking up mud and crap for a living on its mucky bottom. I fed stray cats, I drank the cheapest wine and I chatted to the ancient waiter about how much I was going to miss Spain, seafood, the setting sun and him. I don’t think any girl has ever been at the same time so content and yet so sad, no-​one should weep over lobster. But it was, at the same time, a magical meal.
And 4 years later here I was. In a Michelin starred restaurant, being given a birthday treat by my beloved boyfriend when I never thought I would enjoy luxury or find love ever again. As we took HOURS to slowly savour every single dish that was placed before us by immaculate staff in beautiful surroundings my heart did little backflips of delight. Everything I ate and drank was worthy of excited discussion and debate. We struggled to find words adequate to describe the sensations we were experiencing, we waved our hands with delight, we pulled glorious Greg Wallace ‘pudding’ faces as the flavours danced on our palates and… more than anything… we smiled and smiled and smiled. It was intoxicating.
Yes, Box Tree is expensive. There’s no £20 wine here, it’s going to be a few hundred pounds if you want 3 courses and drinks (yes Love, I snuck a look at the bill despite your best efforts to hide it from me, and nearly died) but a good meal is a pleasure that can set all your emotions on fire. So my advice is, if you can put a little money away, no matter how long it takes, one day treat yourself to a meal like this and etch the experience on your heart and mind forever… you never know when a memory like that might make all the different.
Peace peace out.

First class. Beautifully treated — gentle, low key, hospitality. Very comfortable, yet opulent, décor. Small, intimate restaurant. Food superb. The raspberry soufflé is the best pudding I’ve ever eaten. More significantly, it’s the best pudding my Mum’s ever eaten. I can’t wait to find a restaurant better than this.

We went to the Box Tree as a birthday treat for my Grandmother. From the moment of arriving we were treated with impeccable service which followed throughout the meal (and even after when my nan realised she had left her walking stick).
The house is beautiful and super cosy on a cold winters day. We ate the set menu which was lovely but I was jealous of neighbouring diners who were eating the taster menu which looked fantastic.
A great restaurant with possibly the best service ever.

Right on the outskirts of the main Grove and high street of the traditional town of Ilkley the Box Tree is well known as being THE place to dine at. The Box Tree is almost the Ivy of Ilkley, however there aren’t any paparazzi outside and the clientele are a little more wrinkly.
Many say they are disappointed with the Box Tree after dining here. Maybe this is because the restaurant is so very hyped up and pricey, nevertheless I didn’t feel negatively about parting with the money for a sophisticated meal out! Plus it made a nice change from Nando’s!
The menu and wine lists are just superb. It is especially nice to sit out on the terrace with the box shaped themed trees and bushes with a woody (and large) glass of Merlot on a sunny day.
If you like Italian, Indian or other world foods this is not your place. The menu is over the top cuisine with over the top main courses such as Mignon of Veal, stuffed pigs trotter and roast veal kidney. I stuck to a steak dish as some of the complicated dishes slightly scared me! However if you have a taste for something a little fancy this is your place!
The décor is over the top old english with silver serving plates, red drapes and large candelabras that send me straight to the set of Pride and Prejudice pretending I am Keira Knightley (one can dream I suppose!)
There is a waiting list of up to 2 week up to christmas and around new year so if you fancy a classy (and expensive) evening meal out I would recommend you book around about now! A meal and bottle of wine for two can cost you anything up to £65 so make sure you arrange your meal around pay day unless you are lucky enough to have a bulging wallet (or rich husband!)

I left The Box Tree feeling very disappointed that this is supposedly one of the best restaurants the North of England has to offer. Simon Gueller’s venture has held one Michelin star since 2005 but I couldn’t help feeling that it would be completely ignored were it located in London. Set in the charming market town of Ilkley on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, The Box Tree is a warren of cosy, intimate dining rooms but seems to be blinded by its accolades and heritage (this is where Marco Pierre White began his training). Firstly, the menu is over-​priced. Some of the dishes here are priced at the same level as two Michelin starred establishments in London. Secondly, the cooking is unremarkable. Ingredients were not of sufficient quality for a restaurant of this calibre — particularly a questionable piece of foie gras that accompanied a tolerable fillet of beef. Service was clumsy and lacked attention to detail (our waitress failed to remember who had ordered what and placed cutlery in the wrong place). However, petit fours and coffee were outstanding and a multitude of delicious chocolates and truffles were offered (courtesy of a local chocolatier I might add), presented in an elegant wooden case. Don’t get me wrong — The Box Tree is a good local restaurant. However, I think it is riding the wave of past successes and could do with a prompt reality check. Not really worth a detour if you’re in this part of England.

If you like your dining mighty fine, then the Box Tree is the sort of place that will interest you — voted the best place to eat in Yorkshire and previously an employer of Marco Pierre White, it is definitely more Michelin than McDonald’s.
In the affluent town of Ilkley, a place like this is not out of place — inside the beautiful old building is a simple but elegant décor and some highly professional and attentive service in a husband-​wife run business.
The food itself is imaginative without being ridiculous — think classic European with contemporary twists — think venison, veal, pigeon etc. If you prefer your traditional meats like me, they do a gorgeous cut of beef, which I had on my visit.
Though the food was delightful, the prices were probably a little bit off — i.e. you pay slightly more than you should despite the quality of food. Luckily, when I went, my parents footed the bill but we all left feeling that it was slightly too expensive all round, meaning that it’s probably best to go on rare special occasions.