Wonderful country pub

On the advice of friends in Staithes, we've just paid a visit to The Fox Inn, in Roxby. We were staying at Dunsley, our romantic holiday cottage in Staithes, for Duncan's birthday. It's about 7 minutes drive inland from the coast, through Dalehouse and right up onto the moor top. A small, very traditional country pub in a tiny village, it was taken on just over a year ago by Carl and Alison: Carl works the bar and front of house, while Alison conjures up fab food in the background. The restaurant is quite small, with a wood burning stove; ditto the bar. Emphasis is more on service, food and atmosphere, than decor. There's a strong local customer base - I had to duck beneath a gent playing darts, to reach the toilets! There was one real ale when we visited (January 30th), an excellent Black Sheep. The food is wonderful: well priced, beautifully cooked and presented, and interesting. We had tiger prawns in a Thai dressing - fat prawns, well cooked, perfectly seasoned - and fish-3-ways as starters; then one of the day's specials, pork fillet in Stilton sauce, and chicken stuffed with cream cheese and garlic in a roast pepper and tomato sauce. Veg were spot-on and we had home-made chips and new potatoes. Duncan managed a dessert - a really superb, light, apple strudel with ice cream. Add a bottle of wine, 2 beers, and the bill was just £55. Bargain! We will definitely be back! Thanks, Carl and Ali, for a lovely evening for Duncan's birthday.
The Fox Inn, Roxby, TS13 5EB, Tel: 01947 840548. Closed Tuesdays.