Moments to Remember: The Star Inn The City’s 2024 Highlights

As the year draws to a close, we’re filled with pride and gratitude as we reflect on what has been a brilliant 2024 at The Star Inn The City! Over the past twelve months, our award-winning riverside restaurant has been a hub of activity, welcoming countless patrons who have helped create the warm and vibrant atmosphere we cherish. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, prestigious accolades to exciting new menu launches, this year has been brimming with unforgettable moments that have solidified our place as one of York’s finest dining destinations.

Let’s take a look at some of our favourite highlights below:

Burns Night Supper Club – 25th January

We kicked off 2024 in style with our Burns Night Supper Club, an evening that perfectly captured the spirit of Scottish tradition while showcasing our innovative culinary approach. The meticulously crafted six-course menu transported diners on a gastronomic journey through Scotland’s rich culinary heritage. Our chef’s contemporary interpretation of ‘Cullen Skink’ received particular praise, while the ‘Cranachan’ dessert provided a fitting finale to an exceptional meal. The evening was enhanced by carefully selected wine pairings that complemented each course perfectly. Further, the warm atmosphere, combined with the sound of traditional Scottish music and the occasional toast, made for an unforgettable celebration of Robert Burns’ legacy.

Valentine’s Day – 14th February

February saw romance bloom at The Star Inn The City as couples gathered to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our atmospheric riverside setting. Our kitchen team outdid themselves with an array of specially created dishes designed for sharing. The Shellfish and Beef Fillet Wellington sharing platters proved particularly popular, demonstrating our commitment to creating memorable dining experiences. Our ‘taste of chocolate’ sharing dessert became the talk of the evening, with many patrons specifically commenting on its decadent combination of flavours and textures. The intimate atmosphere, attentive service, and carefully curated menu combined to create the perfect setting for romance. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re already planning an equally impressive Valentine’s celebration – be sure to check our website for updates in the new year.

Early Spring A La Carte Menu – 16th February

Mid-February marked an exciting milestone with the launch of our early spring menu. This carefully curated selection celebrated the subtle transition from winter to spring, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients from across Yorkshire and beyond. Our fish dishes were particular highlights, featuring day-boat catches from the North Sea, while our lamb dishes celebrated the peak of the season with meat sourced from local farms. The menu included delicate starters such as hand-dived scallops, alongside robust main courses that paid homage to the changing seasons. The response from our patrons was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how the menu captured the essence of early spring.

Sunday Roast Recognition – 27th February

February ended on a high note with an achievement that made our entire team proud – being recognised as one of the UK’s finest destinations for Sunday lunch by the influential ‘Rate Good Roasts’ Instagram account. Securing 11th position out of 200 entries nationwide was no small feat, and being crowned York’s premier Sunday roast destination was particularly special. The recognition validated our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of our Sunday service, from our perfectly cooked Yorkshire puddings to our succulent joint options. The judging process was rigorous, with ten distinct categories being assessed, making the achievement even more meaningful.

OpenTable Top 100 Recognition – 4th March

March brought another significant achievement as we secured our place in OpenTable’s Top 100 restaurants for Brunch & Sunday Lunch. This accolade was particularly meaningful as it was based on genuine diner experiences, with OpenTable analysing over 1.2 million reviews to compile their prestigious list. The selection process scrutinised various metrics, including our consistently high ratings, the impressive percentage of five-star reviews, and the number of advance reservations we receive. This recognition reflected not just our culinary excellence but also our team’s dedication to providing exceptional service and creating memorable dining experiences for every patron.

Easter Weekend – 29th March-1st April

The Easter weekend brought a wonderful buzz to The Star Inn The City as families and friends gathered to celebrate this special time of year. Our kitchen team created a series of seasonal specials that complemented our regular menu, including traditional Easter favourites with contemporary twists. From Good Friday through to Easter Monday, we welcomed guests for everything from leisurely breakfasts to our award-winning Sunday lunch. The weekend was particularly special as many families made us part of their annual Easter tradition, with some travelling significant distances to dine with us.

Harvey & Brockless Supper Club – 15th April

April’s Supper Club was a celebration of artisanal cheese that exceeded all expectations. Working closely with specialty food traders Harvey & Brockless, our chefs created an innovative six-course menu that elevated cheese beyond the traditional cheese board concept. Each course showcased different cheese varieties in creative ways, whilst the carefully selected wine pairings enhanced each course, creating perfect harmony between food and drink. The evening was made even more special by the presence of a Harvey & Brockless expert who shared fascinating insights about their production methods. The enthusiastic feedback from attendees has prompted us to plan similar events for 2025.

Charity Dinner – 15th May

May saw us host Louis Pern’s Ride of Their Lives charity dinner, an evening dedicated to supporting the remarkable Macmillan Charity Raceday. This historic racing event holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest of its kind in the country, having raised over £10 million in its 52-year history for people living with cancer. The highlight of the race day is the Macmillan Ride of Their Lives race, where 12 brave amateur jockeys take to the famous Knavesmire course each June. The charity dinner itself was a resounding success, made possible by the generous donations from our amazing suppliers. The evening featured a charity auction that contributed significantly to this worthy cause, with guests showing incredible generosity throughout the night.

Outdoor Terrace Opening – 22nd May

The arrival of warmer weather heralded one of our most anticipated annual events – the opening of our riverside terrace. This year’s opening coincided with the launch of an innovative cocktail menu that celebrated both classical favourites and creative new concoctions. Our mixologists spent weeks perfecting recipes that would complement both the season and our exquisite seasonal food offerings. The terrace quickly became a hub for race-day celebrations too, with York’s racing season in full swing. The combination of our prime riverside location, exceptional service, and carefully crafted drinks menu made it the perfect spot for pre- and post-race gatherings.

Euro 2024 Offer – 14th June-14th July

The European Championship brought an exciting atmosphere to The Star Inn The City as football fans gathered to celebrate the beautiful game. Our special offer of £5 Estrella Damm during England matches proved incredibly popular, creating a convivial atmosphere that enhanced the tournament experience. Despite England’s heartbreaking loss to Spain in the final, the month-long celebration of football brought together people from all walks of life, creating memorable moments and fostering a sense of community.

New Summer A La Carte Menu – 5th July

July witnessed the launch of our summer menu, a celebration of Yorkshire’s abundant seasonal produce and rich culinary heritage. Each dish was thoughtfully created to showcase the best of local ingredients while incorporating innovative cooking techniques and unexpected flavour combinations. Highlights included our Yorkshire coast seafood dishes, heritage tomato selections from local growers, and creative vegetarian options that made the most of summer’s bounty. The menu received exceptional feedback from regulars and new patrons alike, with many praising how it captured the essence of a Yorkshire summer while maintaining our signature contemporary approach to classic dishes.

OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award – 27th August

August brought another significant achievement with the OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award. This recognition held special meaning for us as it was based entirely on genuine guest feedback and experiences. The award considered over 30 million global ratings, making it a true testament to our team’s consistent dedication to excellence. The recognition specifically highlighted our outstanding service, ambiance, and cuisine, with many reviewers noting our ability to maintain high standards even during peak service times. This award served as wonderful motivation for our team and validation of our commitment to creating exceptional dining experiences.

New Autumn A La Carte Menu – 4th October

Our autumn menu launch was a love letter to the season’s abundant harvest and Yorkshire’s hunting tradition. The menu featured carefully sourced game from local estates, foraged mushrooms from trusted suppliers, and the finest autumn vegetables from Yorkshire’s farmers. Standout dishes included our venison starter and partridge main which quickly became favourites. The dessert offerings also celebrated the abundance of local orchards with creative interpretations of classic autumn puddings.

Festive Group Menu Launch – 12th November

As winter approached, we unveiled our festive group menu, designed to bring Christmas cheer to group celebrations. The menu combined traditional festive favourites with innovative twists that reflected our signature style. From elegant starters to indulgent desserts, each course was crafted to create a memorable celebration. The menu proved incredibly popular with both corporate groups and family gatherings, with many dates booking up within days of the launch. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by our careful attention to detail, from the interior festive decorations to the specially selected wine pairings.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on these wonderful moments from 2024, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every patron who has dined with us this year. Your continued support and enthusiasm have made each achievement and celebration possible. Whether you’ve joined us for a casual lunch, a special celebration, or one of our Supper Clubs, you’ve each played a part in making 2024 a fabulous year for our team.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to announce that our popular supper club series will return with an exciting start to the new year. Join us on 21st January 2025 for the Esporão Supper Club and get set to be transported to the sun-drenched vineyards of Portugal, with a carefully curated six-course menu paired with exceptional wines. Bookings are now open, and you can find more info here.

We also have many more exciting plans in development for 2025, including new seasonal menu launches, special celebration events, and unique dining experiences that will continue to showcase the best of Yorkshire’s produce and our team’s culinary creativity. We look forward to sharing these moments with you and creating more memorable experiences in the year ahead!