The Black Swan

A Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms in the village of Oldstead on the North Yorkshire Moors owned by the Banks family who have farmed the area for generations. Once a traditional inn, it retains its cosy charm – exposed beams, flag stones and open fires downstairs, with simple candle-lit tables upstairs.

Growing, rearing and foraging much of their own produce on their 30 acre farm, the menu marries nature and tradition with modern gastronomic creativity. A desire to share what they do and how they do it, there’s a single tasting menu, with the option of three accordingly priced wine pairings (experimental, classic and rare).

If pairing isn’t for you there’s a sturdy list to choose from. It’s comprehensive and classic, with all countries and regions covered to a greater or lesser extent. South Africa gets the biggest look in from the new world, while the European selection will be pleasing to traditionalists.

If you’re into researching lists in advance, you can filter this list in a number of ways - by price, variety, region or vintage which is hospitable. There’s a huge number available by the glass, stretching to the hundreds, presumably making use of Coravin, plus even more if you include Tommy’s (chef patron) own label canned wine range, Banks Brothers.

To finish there’s sweet and fortified (also all by the glass, including an odd reasonably priced icon).