Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate Review

Disclosure: this Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel visit was gifted for the purposes of this review. ALL opinions shared in this post are my own.

Located in the historic Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate, Amber’s Restaurant offers a distinct dining experience that marries local flavours with contemporary culinary techniques.

Amber’s Restaurant is a must-visit for both locals in search of a unique dining option and travellers wanting to immerse themselves in Yorkshire’s vibrant food scene.

In this review, I’ll share my experience at Amber’s, highlighting the exceptional food, service, and atmosphere that together promise not just a meal, but a dining event that captures the essence of Yorkshire.

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Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel

Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate is the latest addition to the Harrogate food scene.

The Cedar Court team set out with a vision to offer an elegant dining experience at Amber’s, with stylish interiors, a carefully curated menu. And of course excellent service and a warm Yorkshire welcome.

They proudly celebrate the history of Harrogate’s hospitality. Plus, the heritage of the building, as the oldest hotel in Harrogate.

But does it live up to the hype? Here’s a review of my experience when I visited for their grand opening so you know what to expect ahead of your visit.

What is Amber’s Restaurant?

Amber’s is a new restaurant at the Cedar Court Hotel Group’s flagship hotel in Harrogate. It is conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from the town centre and the railway station.

The restaurant offers both hotel guests and local Harrogate residents something unique and elevates the usual hotel restaurant eating experience.

The space has undergone a significant £500k renovation to create a high-quality dining destination through its menu, service and décor.

Alongside the main restaurant and bar which seats 75 people, there is a newly created private dining and entertaining venue, The Imaginarium. This space offers capacity for up to 28 people and is perfect for special occasions, meetings and intimate events.

Who is Amber?

Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel is inspired by the spirit of the fictional Lady Amber Fitzwilliam. Amber is described as a pioneering scientist and society wit who ran her famous salon from the hotel in the early twentieth century.

Although she is a fictional character, the persona of Amber lives and breathes within the restaurant. The creation of Amber turns this restaurant into a dining experience with a narrative, and ensures a cohesive design throughout the space.

I think the use of Amber as the custodian of the restaurant adds a unique take on the dining experience. It transports you back in time to the glamour of art deco period and you can picture her vibrant character sweeping through the doors at any moment.

The creative storytelling does an amazing job of immersing you in Amber’s world.

What food does Amber’s Restaurant serve?

Amber’s offers a Yorkshire take on contemporary British cuisine in a sophisticated, relaxed setting.

The menu at Amber’s Restaurant has been carefully curated to showcase the best of Yorkshire and British Isles. The team have worked passionately with local food and beverages, culinary design and development experts, plus their in-house team to bring together their dishes.

They champion local and regional suppliers, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. They create a range of classic and high-quality Yorkshire dishes with contemporary and stylish presentation.

Dishes includes 28-day dry aged steaks Hereford breed beef, sourced locally from Sykes House Farm in Wetherby. Plus, roasted Gressingham duck breast and Sunday lunches with all the trimmings.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes are also available.

The bar offers the perfect mix of traditional and modern drinks and includes the signature Amber’s margarita cocktail, which is inspired by her travels to South America.

I had the opportunity to sample the cocktail on my visit and I highly recommend it! It is a sweet, fruity, pineapple concoction with a vibrant taste.

Amber’s Restaurant Review

Here are my initial thoughts of Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court based on our experience of visiting.

Decor

Before delving into the food review, it would be remiss to not mention the stunning decor at Amber’s Restaurant.

The restaurant redesign was completed by Yorkshire-based interior design company, Studio Two. Inspired by the building’s rich history and ornate detailing, the design explores the patterns and textures of coral and algae. This was the subject of Lady Amber’s most celebrated research.

Purposefully designed to feel open yet cosy, the space uses soft tactile elements, earthy warm tones and intricate design details. This is designed to echo Lady Amber’s meticulous note-taking.

The lighting is grand in scale yet delicate in detail. It adds depth and colour to the scheme to create an environment that feels homely and inviting.

Our evening visit started early, around 6pm, when the Spring daylight was still streaming in, but the lighting was dimmed as the evening progressed to create a cosy, sophisticated feel to the setting.

The team have pushed the boundaries with colours and fabrics to add true personality to Amber’s. They’re exploring patterns and colour choices that are designed to tell Amber’s story, allowing for different elements of the interior’s choices to be explored again and again at each visit.

It is safe to say that I will notice even more details of the decor each time we visit. The final result is exquisite and a pleasure to dine in.

Food

And of course, the main event when visiting Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel is the food!

Starters

For our sneak peek dining experience, we were served Home Corned Beef Brisket as the starter. This dish was perfectly presented. The beef was tasty and tender, the pickled vegetables were crisp and sharp, and the brown sauce relish was rich and creamy.

It was a strong start to the evening and certainly a dish I would order again!

Mains

When it came to the main dishes, I ordered the Slow Cooked Rolled Easingwold Belly Pork with potato and black pudding terrine, pan seared tenderstem brocolli, apple cider jelly and Arran mustard cream. I love pork belly dishes but, in my experience, it is a tricky one to get right.

Amber’s Restaurant absolutely hit the mark though! The pork belly roll was generous and not overly fatty as pork belly sometimes is. The mustard cream added a kick to the dish, but the highlight was the apple cider jelly! It was sweet and tart, and the perfect addition to the dish.

James ordered the Butter Baked Chicken Breast with confit leg croquette, butternut squash puree, English woodland mushrooms, wilted greens and chicken gravy. He devoured his helping, which he also spoke highly of! This is another dish on the menu that tempted me, so I might order this one on our next visit.

We were also served a side of charred seasonal vegetables. The portion was generous, with a mix of greens and carrots. The vegetables were cooked to perfection and a fantastic addition to the meal.

Dessert

By the time dessert rolled around, I had wandered off to grab some photos of the decor, so I didn’t catch the names of our dishes. However, you shouldn’t have too much trouble working out what they are on the menu!

I enjoyed a lovely apple tart. The pastry is crisp and the apples are buttery. Overall, the size of the dessert is perfect to finish off a generous meal. Plus, the additional scoop of ice cream finishes it off beautifully!

James tucked into a rhubarb and custard brûlée. This is a creamy dessert with a caramelised top. Local rhubarb and a shortbread biscuit are served on the side. This one disappeared fast so I can safely say he highly recommends it!

Other facilities at Amber’s Restaurant

As well as the restaurant at Amber’s, here’s a quick look at the other facilities available.

Private Dining at The Imaginarium

The Imaginarium is an elegant private dining room, inspired Lady Amber Fitzwilliam’s adventurous spirit.

The opulent space is perfect for special celebrations, intimate events and sophisticated business meetings.

Seating up to 28 guests, with a private bar, lounge area and state-of the-art meeting facilities, the stylish decor and imaginative culinary thinking have been developed to create an unforgettable experience.

The dedicated events team will be on hand to assist with any request to ensure your event or celebration runs seamlessly. There are a selection of set menus available starting from £59 per person, and The Imaginarium can be booked for breakfast, lunch or dinner with menus tailored to suit any dietary or dining preferences.

The private dining room is available for a minimum of 10 guests and for those wishing to dine from the Amber’s menu, a room hire fee will apply.

I love The Imaginarium! It is a cosy, inviting space that has an elegant dining space, as well as a comfortable lounge area. It would be ideal for a family event or even a business workshop, as the room also has presentation facilities. No matter what event is being hosted here, it is certain to feel like a special experience.

Cedar Court Hotel

And of course, if you want to make the most of your time in Harrogate, you can book your stay at Cedar Court Hotel.

Overlooking the famous 200-acre Stray parkland, the historic Grade II listed Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate dates back to 1671. It even sits on the site of the town’s first ever hotel, The Queens.

The hotel, which has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment programme over the last 12 months, is part of Yorkshire’s largest independent four-star hotel group, Cedar Court Hotels.

Attracting 500,000 visitors to its four hotels across Yorkshire, the hotel group has continued to invest £3.2 million into its portfolio, despite continued pressure on the hospitality industry. With the aim to ensure it remains a key part of the local visitor economy.

Cedar Court Harrogate is ideal for couples seeking a tranquil and romantic break away. And dining Amber’s Restaurant is the perfect addition to that special weekend getaway.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was blown away by our experience of dining at Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel. From the warm and friendly welcome to the exception decor, the atmosphere was incredible as soon as we walked through the door. We knew we were about to experience something special.

And the food didn’t disappoint! With incredible flavours and stunning presentation, dining at Amber’s Restaurant is a truly memorable experience. It’s one you don’t want to miss!

Plus, if you are inspired by Amber’s adventuring spirit and love of the natural world, Cedar Court is the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. Whether you’re admiring the sights of Harrogate town centre, or discovering the natural wonders of RHS Gardens Harlow Carr, Amber’s os the perfect place to round off your visit to Harrogate.

Before You Go

So, if you’re ready to unwind in Harrogate with good food and good company, be sure to book your table at Amber’s Restaurant at Cedar Court Hotel on your next visit!

And if you love Yorkshire as much as I do, sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more Yorkshire adventures and tips!

Until our next adventure,

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