So, let’s get one thing out of the way. Uniquely for a restaurant we weren’t asked once if everything was ok, or whether we were enjoying our meal. The ‘head waiter’ – the one in the suit who we were sure was James Cleverly – had his eyes firmly fixed on the ceiling every time he passed. At one point we thought about putting our hand up…

So, for the record no, everything wasn’t ok. The food – pretty good? The concept, service, timing were poor. What a strange concept all round. It was, we’re assured, a ‘relaxed vibe’ and the plates (large and small) would come at different times. They were right. One of us had a couple of small plates as a ‘main’, rapidly cleared when empty, whilst the others waited perhaps half an hour? No sense of ‘sharing a meal together’.

We know James Close from his days at the Raby Hunt. Here was a restaurant less than half full and still it was shambolic. The venue, at Rockliffe Hall, above the spa, felt like a coffee bar in a 3 star hotel. Corporate ‘art’ on the walls, Corian tables, cutlery in one size – knife, fork, spoon – no atmosphere at all. Relaxed it wasn’t – more stuffy and, oh, so very expensive. We’ve never subscribed to those views about being hungry after an expensive (aspiring Michelin) meal – but here! Wow we needed a good pudding. One of us had the onion tart. And that’s what it was – some onions on a round of puff pastry. £30.00. Veg? Greens? Anything? No, just the tart…and they had the sushi to start – “we suggest eating in one mouthful”. They were dead right. A small shared bouillabaisse main course – £85. (How much!?…Ed)

Steve Gibson owns the sprawling mass that is Rockliffe, together with a new huge country house near Kirkby Moorside and The Pheasant at Harome, previously cheffed by the owner of The Homestead, Goathland (very good).

Steve failed with Kenny Atkinson but presumably with James Close he’ll finally get a Michelin Star. We’re sure it will succeed, judging by the collection of Ferraris in the car park.

So, we’ve been around as they say, so speak with some little authority. For us? Count us out – there are plenty of infinitely better places for half the price. And they ask you if everything is ok…and if not put it right.

“After the success of the Raby Hunt – we’ve been going there right from the start – Terra was a huge disappointment. Very good food but far, far too little for the exceptional cost. More worrying was the lack of atmosphere and the haphazard delivery of courses. One of our party had two ‘mains’ served and eaten, long before the rest had theirs. We’ve had many ‘casual, small plates’ as the staff described the menu but never such a disorganised delivery. As an experience it just didn’t work. You cannot expect diners to hang around for nearly thirty minutes for their ‘main’ courses whilst others have finished theirs. No one asked if we’d enjoyed our meal, nor apologised for the late food delivery. Perhaps they would know what the answer would be. So no, not a great experience for far too much money. Bring back the Raby Hunt. For us there are many more choices around North Yorkshire. “

Restaurant with too many pretentions Terra, Rockliffe Hall Hurworth

PS now the new restaurant is under construction Terra is no more – well, just a café now. No great loss then… bottom image shows the new restaurant as it will be – hopefully with better cooking…