Husband and wife team Michael and Lucy Hjort celebrate 35 years since they first brought fine dining to York. Their original restaurant Melton’s is still delighting the city’s tastebuds from their welcoming Scarcroft Road site. Lucy tells us the story of how Melton’s have been keeping it fine since 1990.
A Warm Welcome
We opened Melton’s in 1990 with the aim to serve good food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere – with less formality than had been associated with such food at the time. We did not want ‘silver service’ type dining or to be the slave to fashion that ‘trendy’ dining implied – and that Michael’s Roux training and time in London had exposed us to. The sort of welcome, place and food we wanted as customers ourselves.
Made in York
There was never any alternative to York as it was where Michael had been born and brought up – the restaurant is named for family business Melton College on Holgate Road where he grew up. Originally it was just Michael and one or two others in the kitchen.
Critical Acclaim
We quickly received notice from The Good Food Guide, Michelin Guide and various national press (remember, this was all before the internet review phenomenon) and grew our customer base steadily. We still see some of the customers who came the night we opened!
A Food Evolution
Over our 35 years we have evolved. Changes in kitchen equipment, such as pacojets & thermomixers and temperature controlled water baths, have encouraged food style development. The rise of the TV Chef, of Masterchef programmes, and of Tasting Menus, has normalised a more sophisticated presentation to a more discerning customer base. Under our Head Chef Calvin Miller our menu provides this in both a Tasting Menu and a Short Menu format.
More Wine!
My wine list has also grown, from a modest 30 wines to now over 170. I have something for every palate and pride myself on matching dishes and wines.
A Special Celebration
Celebrating our anniversary on June 6th, we are bringing back our much loved Raspberry Souffle – on the menu when we first opened! And we will be revisiting some of our favorite dishes – with Calvin’s modern twist – over the next year.
