From the outside it just looks like one of the many chic gastro pubs overlooking the stray in Harrogate.

But  enter through its heavy wooden doors it’s a very different story. With its amazing vintage décor, top notch cuisine and a ‘secret garden’  Three’s a Crowd really does outshine some of the towns other restaurants and gastro pubs.

Walk through the front door you will be amazed by the spacious feel and the expertly choreographed seating and table arrangement. The exposed brickwork decoration merges with marble pillars and the heavy woodwork to add to the cosey  ambience.

You can chose to sit watching the world go by at tables in front of the large  windows and look out onto the stray or chose to sit in some of the smaller breakout areas or even sit up at the impressive tiled bar that dominates one side of the pub  – the choice is yours.

Whatever you chose there’s a friendly and convivial atmosphere to enjoy their top quality and very imaginative menus.

But what you cannot spot from outside  is Three’s a Crowd’s best kept secret – their exceptionally large, stylish  and varied outside area at the back of the establishment.

This is no ordinary beer garden it has so many different seating options. Outside near the rear door there is an elevated terrace with flora and plants a plenty and tables with umbrellas; walk a little further and there a large seating areas, some tented to shade you from the sun or protect you in the cooler weather with comfortable chairs and smart tables whilst further back there’s more beautifully placed chairs and tables. This must be the best planned beer garden in North Yorkshire – you could be a million miles away instead of in the centre of the spa town.

Since it opened over 7 years ago Three’s A Crowd has become renown for its food with a menu that celebrates local produce and mixes traditional with new, innovative and exciting choices.

My colleague and I decided to make Three’s a Crowd our choice for dinner having been impressed by their lunch menu we just couldn’t wait until we had an excuse to sample their evening menu and the celebration of our very recent birthdays a few days before gave us the perfect excuse.

We were tempted by the ‘snacks’ on offer as we perused the menu over a glass of beautifully chilled Chardonnay and decided on the Nocella Olives which were juicy and flavoursome.

It was a struggle to chose a starter as we just loved them all. My choice of Middlewhite Pork Belly was perfect. Pork Belly was once the cut of pork for the poor working classes and those who earned very little money until around a decade ago  celebrity chefs and posh nosh London restaurants started to put it on the menu. Straight away it became a must have meat on any discerning and ultra fashionable menu.

My starter consisted of two pieces of Pork Belly well cooked and very tender. Mustard seeds and pickled apple accompanied the pork and were the perfect addition to take away any fatty taste that this cut of pork can have – but my piece didn’t have any fatty taste and I loved the contrast of flavours.

The Leek and Chive Tart was my colleagues choice. The pastry case was light and crispy and the filling was very tasty and bursting with flavour. It was beautifully presented with a Romesco sauce and black garlic vinaigrette. But all our dishes were beautifully presented – in fact some like works of art – that is the norm at this establishment.

It was fish for me for my main I just couldn’t resist the North Atlantic Cod on the menu. It was a very large thick piece of cod cooked to perfection and  succulent  and moist. The piece de resistance of this dish was the addition of spring peas and gnocchi with chive beurre blanc – a classic French warm butter sauce.

My colleague chose the Dry Cured Duck Breast and had to tell the chef this was one of the nicest duck dishes  she has had in a long time.

The duck was not the usual duck a la orange but duck a la clementine with a tasty celeriac puree, hazelnut and a red wine jus. The duck breast was pink and tender and surrounded by this wonderful plethora of flavours.

We each ordered a side of Jersey Royals  each – my all  time favourite vegetable – which were so flavoursome and fresh – I could tell that as a visitor to the island so many times. They came with a Honey Mustard Butter which my colleague loved but I had mine just plain as I didn’t want to spoil the flavour of the King of Potatoes. We shared a grilled tenderstem broccoli with crispy shallots dressed with a miso butter – a new way to experience this very healthy vegetable.

After such a feast we both had to take a walk into the ‘secret garden’ before even contemplating dessert.

Eventually we returned inside and it was the White Chocolate and Preserved Lemon Mille Feuille served with a lemon gel which was my choice – and I was not disappointed. The lemon flavour diffused what could have been a very rich white chocolate filling – and there was a lot of it but the puff pastry of the Mille Feuille was lighter than air and truly delicious.

The Grilled Peach and Amond Tart was my colleagues choice. The pastry was very crisp  and hot had a very generous filling with the peach and almond a perfectly matched combination. It was served with a Buttered Toast Ice Cream that had its own taste and was definitely the right ice cream to pair with this dessert.

Three’s a Crowd has some really exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable staff and its really service with a smile. They do not rush you and are very attentive and willing to o that extra mile to please their customers.

However as  the sun set over the stray we had to leave Three’s a Crowd and make our way to the station after a very memorable belated birthday meal.

Three’s A Crowd, 11 West Park Harrogate, HG1 1BL

Open: 12 noon to 11.00pm Mon, Tues,Wed,Thurs (food served till 9.00)

Fri & Sat open 12.noon – 12 midnight (food served till 9.15); Sun open 12 noon – 11pm (food served till 7.00pm)

The a la carte dinner menu  which is the subject of the review is served from 5.00pm

Phone: 01423 391459

Website: https://www.threes-a-crowd.co.uk