Sugarvine

We had two visits to the Frenchgate in January 2009 and were thoroughly spoilt. Excellent wine list, delicious food ,superb room and our host David and his staff were brilliant and knowledgeable. On both trips we took one of our children who found the food "devine"... Would definitely return as the town of Richmond is a really interesting place to visit with or without children.

Had a superb lunch at the Frenchgate. They have introduced a credit crunch busting 2 course menu for £10.95. A bottle of Peroni wet my whistle (£2.80) and I began with the Smoked Haddock, Leek & Parmesan Tartlet with soft poached free range egg, hot and tasty, the egg yolk perfectly runny, crisp pastry perhaps slightly too hard. Next Confit Leg of Duck With braised red cabbage, spring onion mash & vanilla poached plums. A delicious combination, sweetness of the cabbage and tang of the spring onion in the mash lingering into subtle vanilla with the acid of the plums, the duck not fatty at all. I added a dessert of orange & cardomom creme brulee, soft and creamy with an excellently thin & crisp brulee top (£2.95). A jug of iced water was free. Coffee, tea and wines available at extra cost. For a total of £16.70 you should be beating down the doors for this top quality lunch bargain!

Warm friendly surroundings, the food was exquisite, and so reasonable!! David was helpful, knowledgeable and hit the right balance between professionalism and familiarity, no mean feat!Have recommended to friends and would have no hesitation in encouraging anyone to try. A marvellous experience

This is the second time we have dined at the Frenchgate and once again, it was absolutely wonderful! David is an extremely attentive and knowledgeable host who obviously wants his guests to thoroughly enjoy the dining experience, right from the moment you enter the door. We had the BEST gin and tonics made by the man himself! The food was divine and the wine (recommended by David) was perfect. All in all, one of the best dining experiences we've had. Can't wait to come again!

What a lovely experience! The food was a delight. Some of the best I have ever had in many years of travelling the world. I wonder why only 2 stars? Still it's to the advantage of those of us who know about this jewel in the Dales to keep it under wraps!! The whole dining experience was gorgeous, the food a dream, the ambience wonderful and the host a delight - such friendly and gracious service and such splendid advice on food and wine. We felt like honoured guests in the home of a good friend. Try it and see- you won't be disappointed.

We booked two rooms for four nights plus a third room for one night. The visit was planned around our daughter's wedding in nearby Catterick Garrison and the Hotel was absolutely superb in every aspect. The only query we had was how this could only have a two star rating? We've stayed in countless four star rated hotels far inferior to The Frenchgate! Every aspect of the stay was superb, our room even had a 7ft wide bed with individual mattresses. This is likely to be very costly for me as 'the management' was so impressed with the bed - she wants one at home! Thanks a bunch, David!

Joking apart, the whole atmosphere is wonderful - David even had the log fire roaring away in the communal lounge. A leisurely few minutes 'rest' out of the main hubub of bride and bride's mother was extremely welcome! Breakfast was enormous with mouth watering flavours - tomatoes that actually had a taste! Mushrooms the size of a baby parachute, bacon to die for - even I couldn't contemplate food until well into the afternoon! The pre wedding evening meal for ten set the tone for the following day festivities. We understand the next phase of investment involve extending out the rear of the property - to increase facilities for the recently obtained wedding licence.

Despite travelling to Yorkshire many times on business, we have never seen anything of the area. In this instance, we were absolutely stunned by the whole experience. The beauty of Richmond and surrounding areas is breathtaking. We definitely intend using the Frenchgate as our base for more exploration and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. Well done David and his team.
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Another wonderful evening at the Frenchgate. The food is just perfect - the service is outstanding and the wine was fabulous. Go and see for yourself. We've been on several occasions now, and every time we relax, unwind and savour the entire evening. You MUST try the cheeseboard. David the owner is immensely proud of his private restaurant/hotel and deservedly so. A real gem.

Spent a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable Sunday morning at the Frenchgate.....'fabulous Hot Chocolate (the best we've ever tasted!!)and beautiful surroundings, not to mention our attentive host, David......Thank you, we'll definitely be back soon.

For my 60th birthday my husband arranged a surprise party. David, the proprietor, arranged the whole evening by email with my husband in Belgium. Everything was wonderful. excellent food and wines and lovely, intimate surroundings.
We were given private use of the dining room and the stylish, comfortable lounge. David acted as Maitre D for the evening and made sure everything ran not only smoothly but with a few added delights.
All in all the attention to detail, friendly professional staff and lovely surroundings made for a birthday to remember.
Many of our guests stayed overnight in the hotel and enjoyed an extended stay with a traditional Yorkshire breakfast.
If you are planing a small wedding or special party David and his staff will ensure it is one to remember. I would recommend The Frenchgate Hotel without any reservations.

Peter and Joan Badcock 15th March 2008

Having eaten at the Frenchgate 3 years on the trot now we are never disappointed; always surprised and delighted with the quality and attention to detail regarding everything relating to the whole dining experience. Looking forward to more visits and even more surprises. A big thank you

We have just stayed at what must be one of the best hotels in North Yorkshire.We had a meal there in October last year which was excellent and the host David made our day so enjoyable we thought we would book again and stay overnight. We stayed in the Mousey Thompson room which is beautiful and luxurious it has a massive oak bed with a wonderful comfortable mattress and magic pillows,remote control shower,and jacuzzi bath.The meal was once again out of this world and the service excellent,David is so knowledgable and helpful without being overbearing.The Frenchgate has the rare combination of serving excellent food and providing excellent service we enjoyed it so much we have already booked again.On a scale of 1 to 10 the Frenchgate deserves 11.We are counting the days to our next stay.

Turned up on a Sunday 13th Jan after been ill for 2 weeks.It was like a tonic, welcoming, cosy and felt like having won a prize for your own personal overnight 5 star break.David the proprietor and his staff give a experience from wine advice to avery 5 star meal at so affordable prices.If we were closer for Valentines we would book in.Local art adorns the walls and itblends the period hotel with a modern twist right down to thefloral art.well worth a visit

24th December 2007

This is the second time we have dined at the Frenchgate restaurant while visiting Richmond and the food is a feast for the eyes and taste buds.

Excellent is a superlative overused and rarely deserved but in terms of this establishment a grade "A" or "A star" does not do it justice.

Menu - inventive and interesting.
Presentation - works of art.
Service - impeccable.
Knowledge - impressive. Extensive wine list!!
Value for money - Wow. If this restaurant was in the south the meal would cost a fortune.
A faultless experience where nothing is too much trouble and the staff and owner are warm and friendly.

We were visiting Richmond and we stayed here following a visit to the Tourist information office. What a find this restaurant (and small hotel) is! It is the best meal we have ever eaten - certainly in the north of England anyway. The proprietor, David Todd, is key to its success with his knowledge and fantastic approach to service and quality. Go there whenever in Richmond, or forever regret it.

A group of family & friends enjoyed a truly wonderful evening dining at the Frenchgate. David & his staff made it all a weekend to remember & made sure we all had a great time. The whole experience was fantastic & the food & choice of menu was exceptional & presented beautifully. This is certainly a restaurant we would highly recommend & will hopefully visit again soon.

An outstanding evening for myself and my colleagues.

The food was superb, the staff including David the Host impeccable. The ambience is an example that I wish was followed in other establishments.

Don't pass through North Yorkshire without visiting - you'll regret it.

This was our 2nd visit and like the time before just as fabulous. Both occasions were to celebrate our wedding anniversary and David made them both nights to remember. We shall be coming back again and again, it's that GOOD !!!!!!.

I travelled 20 days in UK, and at Frenchgate we had the best meal. My son cannot forget the lamb he ate. The risoto was also wonderful. Furthemore, the ambient was great, nice place and the people very friendly. I felt at home.

A unique experience and the best food I have ever tasted. The staff are friendly and helpful and the owner David is so knowledgeable about wine and food - this restaurant is a MUST to visit

We were looking for somewhere to have a celebratory lunch, on the drive home from Newcastle following our daughter's graduation, and found The Frenchgate by chance on another website. We knew nothing about the place, but thought we'd take a chance. And, as it turned out, it was an excellent choice! It's set in the nicest part of Richmond, which in any case is a lovely town, and is a beautiful building, tastefully furnished and with a welcoming atmosphere. We were looked after by the proprietor, who really knows his stuff when it comes to food and wine. The food was marvellous - beautifully presented, and tasting even better than it looked. The three course lunch was amazingly inexpensive, and I'm quite sure we would have paid double in many restaurants 'down south'. We'll certainly return at a future date, to sample the dinner menu.

It was clear from our first encounter that David Todd (Proprietor) was passionate about food, wine and ensuring all his customers had a great time in his restuarant. It is very difficult to walk the line between a formal dining experience and a welcoming but non-intrusive service yet David and his team pull this off with aplomb. The wine list is extensive and enticing (and, incidentally, includes champagne with a very acceptable £10 mark-up!). The food is nicely presented, carefully prepared and expertly cooked. Finally, the cheese board is to die for, the only problem being the ability to remember which of the 16 cheeses was the best.

In short, the Frenchgate is a wonderful restaurant serving great food and complemented perfectly by exceptional service.

What a wonderful restaurant with quite a knowledgeable and welcoming host. David Todd is passionate about food and my husband and I enjoyed the evening tremendously.

I am almost afraid to recommend this place as once you discover it for yourself the rest of us will have difficulty getting a table! The proprietor, David, has such a pleasant and friendly manor you feel that you were invited to dinner with old friends when you arrive. He certainly knows a thing or too and is happy to explain the menu and wine list for as long as you want to listen. I was staying there while on business so can tell you that the breakfasts were served with the same care and attention to presentation and flavour as the wonderful dinners. The rooms are comfortable, genteel and tastefully decorated - such a pleasant experience that I intend to return with husband in tow for a short break to Richmond. The town is well worth visiting too!

25/06/07 My wife and I spent a week in Richmond mainly for the hiking and sightseeing - imagine our surprise to "stumble" across this fabulous restaurant. On our first visit the whole experience offered by the host David Todd convinced us we MUST come back on our last night in Richmond. Everything sampled both times was outstanding. Do try the "house" gin and tonic and the local Richmond Ales in the lounge while deciding what to order. One of the finest dining events you will find anywhere.

Gorgeous - Gorgeous - Gorgeous! My husband and I have just had a delicious meal at the Frenchgate Hotel. Faultless from start to finish. With superb recommendations from the proprietor; David Todd, we indulged in speciality gin & tonics, good beers, fine dining, superb wines and the most delicious cheese board you could ever wish to grace your palate with. Everything about the evening was just stunning. Without doubt we will return to enjoy the superb dining experience we encountered tonight. This has just become our new 'favourite restaurant!'

From the beginning to end I found every aspect of dining at the Frenchgate thoroughly enjoyable. Both the service and the food are of outstanding quality and I would strongly recommend a visit by anyone, could not recommend it high enough.

Richmond is a lovely Yorkshire town to visit and the Frenchgate Restaurant would in any event be "worth the detour". The meal was delicious, much helped by an appropriately solicitous host who really knew his stuff about both food and wine.

We arrived in Richmond for a couple of days walking and looked around the town to find somewhere to stay. As we walked up Frenchgate we passed the 'Frenchgate Restaurant & Hotel' and immediately liked the calm, sophisticated look of the hotel. We looked in and booked in. The dining room was nicely balanced between classically traditional and a more modern bistro look with everything lovingly and carefully presented. The food was delicious and unusual and given the perfect introduction by 'house speciality' gin & tonics in the beautiful restful garden. I chose the hot smoked salmon starter and Tian of beef - both intriguing - and my wife had the Wild mushroom gnocchi - brilliant- followed by a braised lamb shank - very meaty. We both indulged in puddings - I (being a bloke!) chose the Chocolate fondant and Sally went for the Rhubarb Bavarois - both delicious. The house white was perfectly chilled and dry and our bottle of Rioja beautifully balanced. A great meal well presented with a lot of thought. Sally would have liked something a lighter on offer among the starters but I couldn't ask for more. We had a great stay enhanced by good weather and the brilliant walking in the Dales. The icing on the cake is trusting your own judgement and choosing a good place to stay and eat. We were not disappointed.

My friend and I had read a review recommending the Frenchgate restaurant and hotel and after a couple of tries of not being able to get a table, finally succeeded last Friday. It was well worth the wait. On arrival we were greeted like old friends and shown into the lovely walled garden to enjoy a drink whilst perusing the menu. Choosing proved to be quite difficult as to be completely frank it all sounded a bit heavenly, after much umming and ahhing (and another small tipple) I chose the delectable sounding hot smoked salmon terrine followed by a tian of beef. being a bit of a glutton I then had the lemon plate. such was the quality and brilliance of the food I am unashamed to say that I have been wearying the ears of anyone who cares to ask if I happened to know a good place to eat. needless to say we will be returning very soon and look forward to both the excellent food and the prompt, friendly and welcoming service provided by the owner.