Frost Magazine, in the shape of its editor, Margaret Graham, took leave of her senses and decided that the time had come to have a few hours off during her busiest press day of the week, Friday, and nip into Thirsk, to have a coffee at the Golden Fleece with a pal. If that wasn’t bad enough, lo and behold Dick, him indoors, texted to invite your editor out to lunch. He was, of course, worried that he would not be fed, as time was drawing on, and Margaret was not yet home.
So they met, Margaret conscious she was playing serious hookey, and headed for Bianco Ristorante.
Margaret and Dick have a special place in their hearts for Italian restaurants, so why had they not been before? Too busy, is the reply, which is no excuse whatsoever.
They were welcomed at the door, ‘Come in, come in…’ Not full by any means, but : ‘A table for two, please?’ The waiters searched the empty tables. ‘Of course.’
They were led to one. There was a Specials board. Margaret couldn’t quite see, having had her cataract done just weeks ago. A small board was brought for granny, but so charmingly. Drink orders were taken: a Pino Grigio and tap water for Margaret. Dick had draught lager. Within the blink of the eye others lunchers were pouring through the door. It was then we realised why the staff had searched tables for they were actually bagsied; Bianco Ristorante was fully booked, even at midday.
Margaret adores seafood, but not mussels. You do not need to know what happens if she has mussels, but let’s start with the fact that she gets very hot feet, and leave it there, before the situation gets ugly.
Unable to decide on the specials Margaret found herself seduced by a mature waiter who had spent 18 years in Italy before returning home, though that was: ‘Further South.’ he said. Well, Wetherby, north of Leeds. So not that much further south.
Seduced, she hastens to add, into trying the delicious sounding Crab Linguini (although of course, there was a special name, but to her shame it has slipped through the net of her memory). It was in the Venetian style, and apparently a Venetian had been in recently and found it delicious. ‘Naturally Pino Grigio is perfect with crab,’ said our charming waiter. Goody, thought Margaret, she had not only chosen well, but had ordered a large glass. But then she always does.
Dick had Pollo Pescatora: chicken breast with prawns, peppers in a white wine garlic sauce, with big chips and salad. A short wait, of course, as each meal is prepared especially. Drinks were brought immediately .
Once the dishes arrived, they launched themselves into the experience with gusto, and Margaret who usually talks too much, didn’t, because her Linguini was so delicious and she left nothing for Mr Manners. Dick left nothing either. Readers of Frost Magazine, your editor did you proud. She totally stuffed herself.
The flavour was nuanced, there was not a hint of dryness which there so often is. It matched a Linguini she, Dick and her friend from school, Jan, had at a much higher priced restaurant in Rome. Hurrah for Bianco Ristorante in Thirsk. Dick’s was equally as good, and the large chips were somehow the perfect accompaniement.
To crown the lunch, Limoncello was brought to your editor’s table. She shared with the waiter her experience in a Florence restaurant when she was dining in the evening with Jan, and Limoncello was brought to their table by the kindly patron. He refilled the glasses several, perhaps many times. Margaret and Jan were unfamiliar with Limoncello and thought it a mildly intoxicating Vitamin C drink. They stood up, finally, to find their legs were numb. and they were totally plastered, to the extent that they took almost an hour to reach their hotel which was five minutes away. So many wrong turnings, and retracing of steps. The amazing thing was that they woke with no hangover.
The waiter had the grace to laugh. The meal? Perfect. The service? Great. and helpful. The price? Ridiculously reasonable. The ambience? Relaxed. Busy. Charming. Very Italian.
To sum up: lucky old Thirsk, and Northallerton, for each has a Bianco Ristorante. The joy.
Bianco Ristorante,17 Market Pl, Thirsk YO7 1HF
Eat in. Takeaway.
Closes 10 pm