Overlooking The Stray in Harrogate is  the jewel in the crown of the town’s  gastro pubs.

From the outside Three’s a Crowd  looks like most of the other chic gastro pubs that line West Park but walk through the heavy antique wooden doors  and its very different – almost like entering the Narnia of eateries.

It’s bright, sophisticated cheerful décor has been carefully thought out with tables expertly choreographed that all catch the light that comes through the large picture windows whilst the Mediterranean coloured tiles add a fashionable chic warmth to the place.

The small break out areas and wooden furnishings are comfortable and give  a spacious rustic feel  to the place or  you may chose to have a tipple sat up at the bar the choice is yours.

But do visit what I call the pubs ‘secret garden’.You cannot spot this from the outside but there’s an exceptionally large, stylish and varied outside area beer garden area.

Sit on the elevated terrace just outside the rear door with plants and flowers and large umbrellas; walk a little further and there’s chairs and tables in a large seating area  and in the cooler weather a tent with chairs and tables and heaters is  provided.

This beer garden is so well planned – in fact its one of the best I have visited in the North and further afield.

For the last six years Three’s a Crowd has been renown for its food which celebrates the flavours of Yorkshire but the new menu now offers some exciting choices which are fresh, fun and innovative but there’s still a plethora of old favourites there.

More than ever it pays homage to the incredible local produce and mixes the old traditional with the new. It’s a menu that is great for sharing with lots of small plates or for those who prefer a main there is plenty of choice on the menu.

It was a cold blustery day when we finally arrived after a longer than normal walk from the station but the welcoming atmosphere when we opened the door certainly made us feel warm and cosy.

We decided to try the sharing plates and we were not disappointed. The food was as exciting as the description of it.

A must have for us was the Mucky Fat Bread with Chicken Seasoning that was simply amazing. Mucky Fat Bread is a real old Yorkshire dish but this is decidedly different without wanting to give too much away its deep fried bread with ground up chicken skin as a seasoning sprinkled over the bread – very tasty.

There’s a great fish dish for sharing with the Monkfish Scampi with Salt and Vinegar Mayo and scraps. The fish was moist, white and succulent and the batter was so light.

For those who prefer a meat dish the Salt and Pipper Riblets with a Soy Glaze is amazing. The portion is big for a small plate. It is dressed with red and green peppers and the meat just falls off the bone it is so tender.

There’s vegan and vegetarian options and the Halloumi, Hot Honey and Basil is also a generous portion and the taste of the honey really brings out all the fusion of flavours and again it’s a generous portion.

As well as these small plates for sharing there’s a selection of main courses so you can have a small plate as a starter before going on to your main.

New on the menu if the King Oyster Mushroom, Roasted Jerusalem Artichoke, Miso and Lemon Parsley dressing. My colleague was over the moon with this dish. The artichokes were as they should be well roasted and gave the dish texture and there was a generous helping of succulent mushrooms. The addition of Miso – a traditional Japanese seasoning and the Lemon Parsley Dressing blended beautifully.

I was not so adventurous and opted for the 7 oz Short Rib Burger with Raclette and pickles in a brioche bun – I did give the chips a miss though. The burger was all pure beef and cooked exactly as I asked – well done. This was the best burger I’ve had for a long time as the meat was smooth and tender.

When it came to ordering a pudding we were rather reticent but our server persuaded us to try one and we did. My colleague went for the Brulee Pear with Coconut Yoghurt. It was light and the pear was served warm and covered in a caramelized maple syrup with a creamy light coconut yoghurt.

I opted for the Rolo a take on the sweet of the same name  served in a glass – made with Valharona Chocolate and Salted Caramel to give those Rolo colours. This is rich and definitely one for sharing!

Three’s a Crowd is a place where no one rushes you and it was nearly tea-time before we left – we couldn’t believe we’d been there three and a half hours.

All I can say is it’s a good job we had a long walk back to the station to work off all those calories.

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)

Phone: 01423 391459

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