IT’S not every day a girl gets to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at The Ivy…
Breakfast for me is usually a hasty slice of toast, washed down with a lukewarm coffee while logging onto my laptop.
So when I was invited to try the new Breakfast Special offer from The Ivy Collection, I looked forward to starting my morning in style.
Described as “the perfect breakfast menu to enjoy before you tackle the day ahead”, the Breakfast Special is available at The Ivy restaurants in Harrogate, Leeds and York.
It was a sunny spring morning when my friend, Fleur, and I arrived at The Ivy in Harrogate. Located in the heart of the historic spa town, the elegant restaurant “brings relaxed dining to one of Yorkshire’s most charming destinations”.
Just a short walk from the Valley Gardens, Harrogate Theatre and Turkish Baths, it’s perfectly located for a day or evening, or mini break, in the vibrant North Yorkshire town.
It feels quite special to walk into The Ivy. I remember, growing up, seeing photos of Royalty and film stars coming out of the flagship London Ivy, in a haze of flashbulbs, and it looked like the most glamorous place-to-be-seen.
Established in Covent Garden in 1917, the West End restaurant has long been synonymous with refined dining and a celebrity clientele. Now the legacy extends to brasseries and cafes across the UK, in the Ivy Collection.
This was my first visit to the Harrogate Ivy; from the moment we walked in it was like stepping into an oasis of calm and elegance. We were greeted by the friendly maitre d, who showed us to a cosy table with a corner sofa.
With funky prints on the walls, bright florals, sumptuous soft furnishings and ornate pillars – and all so beautifully lit – it’s a chic setting for everything from midweek lunches to special evening celebrations. There are live music performances on Sundays too.
The decor fuses elegant charm with Instagram-friendly glamour
I love the look and feel of it all – bold, pretty, stylish, classy, and very relaxed. The decor fuses effortless old-school glamour with Insta-friendly boujee charm.
The decor fuses effortless glamour with contemporary chic (Image: Emma Clayton)
Other diners included two elderly ladies chatting over a cooked breakfast and a Gen Z trio taking selfies with their hot chocolates and pastries.
The seasonal menu features classic and modern dishes
I could have sat and soaked up the gorgeous decor all morning, but there was a breakfast menu to peruse.
The Breakfast Special offers a range of breakfast dishes, with unlimited tea and coffee. The choices include Buttermilk Pancakes, piled with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, Greek yoghurt, lemon balm and a warm red berry sauce; Poached Eggs with Avocado, served on a toasted muffin with hollandaise sauce; and ‘Two Eggs Your Way’ – free-range hen’s eggs cooked to the diner’s preference, served with bacon and a choice of white, granary or gluten-free bread.
Buttermilk Pancakes, left, are on the menu. Image: K Lawson Johnston
I was tempted by the pancakes, and the poached eggs, but I went for Crushed Avocado and Roasted Tomato because, like The Ivy, it seemed a bit decadent. Beautifully presented on two slices of sourdough bread, it was a deliciously light dish that also felt satisfyingly substantial. The flavours popped from the tomato; fresh and tasty, mixed with pomegranate, sesame and toasted seeds and coriander, while the avocado was a creamy balance.
Fleur went for Eggs Benedict with Pulled Ham, which she said was delicious. It was served on a toasted muffin, with the melt-in-the mouth ham beautifully cooked.
Eggs Benedict with Pulled Ham and Avocado and Roasted Tomato (Image: Fleur Waugh)
I had a cappuccino and Fleur had a flat white. From the iconic Ivy logo on the crockery to the swirls in the coffee cream, the attention to detail is exquisite. The breakfast deal features a free re-fill of hot drinks, with choices including latte, Americano and Vanilla Shakerator – an espresso shaken with ice, served in a martini glass.
The breakfast menu includes hot drink re-fills
The range of teas includes ceylon, Darjeeling, peppermint and verbena, and hot chocolate comes in dark, milk, white, pistachio, pumpkin spiced and cookie dough.
At £14.95, the Breakfast Special is good value – for the excellent food as well as the stylish decor, relaxed ambience
and impressive hospitality.
The restaurant opens at 8.30am and breakfast is served until 11.30am, Monday to Friday, and 11am on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.
As with the Breakfast Special, the wider breakfast menu features The Ivy’s contemporary and classic signature dishes.
The Ivy Full English Breakfast comprises smoked streaky bacon, Cumberland herbed sausages, fried eggs, potato rosti, black pudding, roast plum tomato, grilled flat mushrooms and baked beans, with white or granary toast.
The vegetarian breakfast features the potato rosti, tomato, mushrooms and beans with grilled halloumi and avocado.
Other options include Eggs Royale with The Ivy Cure Smoked Salmon and Folded Ham and Cheese Omelette.
Light and Healthy choices include Moroccan Spiced Halloumi, with Greek yoghurt and chilli, while the Celebratory Croissant – salted caramel croissant with Greek yoghurt – is crafted to celebrate birthdays and other special events. Juices include green juice, mixed berry smoothie and ginger shot.
In a world of rushed meals and half-drunk coffees, it was lovely to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, soaking up timeless elegance and contemporary chic.
* The Breakfast Special offer is at The Ivy Harrogate Brasserie and Garden, Parliament Street, Harrogate; The Ivy Victoria Quarter, Leeds and The Ivy St Helen’s Square, York.
Visit www.ivycollection.com/restaurants-near-me/the-ivy-yorkshire/
