Lockwoods - café | restaurant Reviews

"The food was excellent, the staff very friendly and attentive and the restaurant attractive and comfortable. Food came quickly and piping hot and was delicious."

"We went to Lockwoods last night for my husbands 30th birthday and as usual it was fantastic. The food was very good and the wine. All 5 of us enjoyed every mouthfull. We will be going back next week."

"We arrived in Ripon late in the afternoon and decided to have a wander to find somewhere for dinner and popped into Lockwoods to see if there was availability that evening, we managed to book a table for 8.30. From arrival we were made to feel very welcome and the service and food was excellent. We would thoroughly recommend Lockwoods to anyone visiting Ripon."

"I am writing to provide some very well deserved feedback about Lockwoods.

My partner and I ate at Lockwoods yesterday evening (2 March 2010) whilst we were visiting Ripon and Swinton Park for his birthday. This was the first time we had eaten in your restaurant and both of us were extremely pleased we did - the atmosphere was lovely to be a part of, the service was superb and the food was even better.

I'm a vegetarian and thought that all three of the courses I had were lovely, particularly the Polenta & Mushroom dish; so often restaurants think it's acceptable to provide vegetarians with pasta and tomato sauce as the main meal, but Lockwoods showed what can be done with a little thought and mixing of some great flavours.

I know my partner enjoyed his meal too. He said it was one of the best meals he'd had since we've been together (I did think about taking it as an insult to my cooking but I actually agreed so I decided not to!)

Thanks again for a lovely evening.

Kind regards and best wishes"

Recommended by Nicola & James 3/03/10

Dropped in at Lockwood's today for lunch and thank goodness I ordered the crab spaghetti with chilli, ginger and coriander, it was so fantastic that I could have eaten it for hours, although my dish obviously ran out after about 15 minutes. It was so good that I'll be devastated if it's not on the menu next time. And no, I'm not a relative or a friend; it was just a really great dish. Recommended by Nicola David 11/08/09

"We had a fabulous evening here. The staff were friendly and keen, and the food so delicious. The most delicious cheeseboard I've ever had. Will be back again and again. The interior is relaxed but sophisticated." Recommended by FB 20/05/09

"Hi Matthew, Fab evening on New years Eve - well done for putting on the menu you did, leaving people the choice! Great service - great place. Looking forward to coming to a Jazz evening soon.
Very friendly restaurant with excellent staff attitudes. Great cooking , and style of service. Good value for money ...." Recommended by Angela Seager 27/01/2009

"Lockwoods, excellent service, attractively presented, good food, interesting menu, sensible prices, nice place we will go back...strongly recommended" Recommended by Nibbler 22/11/2008

"Lockwoods lives up to the great reviews. Everything is to a very high standard and you feel relaxed in the bistro type surroundings. There is a good range of food choices to suit everyones tastes. Please save some room for a dessert, as they are very good especially the lemon cheesecake. It is definetely worth another visit just for that alone."Recommended by JH 10/09/2008

"We went to a small restaurant called 'Lockwoods', just off the town square, definitely the best food I've had in England" Recommended by The Allen Family 5/07/2008

"This is such a great restaurant! It always offers good food with great events. The wine is also superb. When I have the opportunity to eat out, it is my top choice!" Recommended by: Angela Kiker 5/07/2008

"As a result of the exceptionally positive feedback we have received from our customers over the past year, we are delighted to present you with a toptable Recommended Award for you to display on your website with pride.This will let all customers know you are one of the top rated restaurants on toptable."

Top notch food. Full English breakfast includes homemade black pudding to die for and slow baked tomatoes with a hint of thyme. Ingredients are always really fresh and beautifully cooked. I recently had the best guinea fowl ever, poached and roasted to give moistness with an intensity of flavour - subtley flavoured with marjoram. Service is always attentive and unfussy whilst the continental style atmosphere buzzes throughout the day. Lockwood's early bird menu which includes half a bottle of house is astonishingly good value. Recommended by: Tim Robinson 27/05/08

This is an excellent restaurant. Not only are the staff extremely friendly and attentive, but the food is very, very tasty and well presented. They had even prepared a specially annotated copy of the menu for my wife who's not a big fan of dairy products. Well done guys and gals, you made our wedding anniversary even more special. Recommended by: Graham Stewart 03/05/2008

What a great lunch my Mum and I had here today - thank you!. Great food, atmosphere, music and lovely staff! We'll definitely be spreading the word - keep up the excellent work! Recommended by: Sarah Mayhew 04/05/2008

Dig Yorkshire, April 4th 2008

Just wanted to drop you a quick e.mail to say how great the food was in Lockwoods last night! I brought a friend in for a meal, and it was lovely - we only had pizzas, but they were some of the nicest pizzas I have ever had. We will definitely be back soon! Thanks very much again. Recommended by: Hannah Hinchcliffe 30/01/2008

Just to let you know that my friend and I had the most delicious meal at your restaurant.I had the risotto with scallops as a main course and my friend had the thai fishcakes again ab gorgeous. The Sauvignon wine(house) complemented those dishes to perfection. Helpful, kind staff and immaculate Ladies! We will be back Recommended by: Juliet Hall 14/09/2007

"The food was absolutely fantastic, Gordon Ramsay would approve" Recommended by Ginger Rachel 25/06/2007

Arranged a 60th birthday party for my Mum on Saturday 30th June at Lockwoods and just wanted to say thank you to all the staff for making the day go so well, the food was fantasticand the staff & service was exceptional.Many thanks again to Matthew & his staff.
Recommended by: Angela Mcmanus 02/07/2007

Last Wednesday was my first visit back to Lockwoods since Christmas, and I have to say things were always great there but now they are even better. The new decor has given the restaurant a really cosy and intimate feel. The service was friendly and smiling, and the food was delicious. There is an increased emphasis on local food, even down to the drinks with Lockwoods being the first Restaurant to offer Yorkshire Cider from Cropton near Pickering. I had the chargrilled vegetable and goats cheese stack with sesame roasted potatoes which was very tasty, and healthy. Couldn't resist the white chocolate and rhubarb tart, and looking forward to next time!
Recommended by: Fiona 09/04/2007

This was our first visit to Ripon and we decided to call in at Lockwoods after reading good reviews about it on the internet - we weren't disappointed. The menu was refreshingly different whilst still offering some of the old favourites. Make sure you save space for dessert - the chocolate pot served with shortbread and strawberry fool was to die for! The selection of cheeses and wines were also of a particularly high standard. Would definitely recommend you pay a visit to Lockwoods and try it for yourself! "
Recommended by: LizT 14/08/2006

Living in Ripon and mostly eating out in Harrogate and Leeds, we thought that we would try our home town for a quick supper. Were we impressed, absolutely!!! One of the best meals we have eaten in months and not at a premium. This place is a gem of a find, the food is fabulous with an interesting and varied menu, and the deco is superb and very relaxing, good wine list, and nice staff. Only criticism was that it took them fifteen minutes to take our drinks order, but that will certainly not put us off from returning in a couple of weeks. Excellent
Recommended by: C 28/06/2006

I had booked a meal for an overnight stay in Ripon, after reading some online reviews. I walked past the restaurant during the afternoon, when it is more like a cafe bar and wondered whether it was right for what I required. However, the location of my table, on a small elevated section, giving the impression of being "on stage" was the only (very) small drawback to an excellent dining experience. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable; food and wine were wonderful and the general ambience was very relaxed. We wanted to stay longer!
Recommended by: Mitch 26/06/2006

I took a drive out to Lockwoods (closer than I thought to Leeds!) after seeing it on Sugarvine and had a really nice meal. The aesthetics are modern and well thought out which fits in nicely with the Ripon backdrop. I would recommend to all as it beats the socks off most city centre places that charge to much!
Recommended by: Jackson Brown 07/02/2006

This is just what Ripon needs. The food is great, the prices are reasonable, and the service is friendly. The surroundings are a fresh mix of traditional and contemporary, and the menu is the same. We had a great night and especially liked the fishcakes, and the Ribeye steak. The sticky toffee pudding is to die for. Great ambiance, excellent wine list, and open all day and evening.
Recommended by: Andy 19/01/2006

BBC's Greedy Pig Review Site

By David
All the food was freshly cooked to order, delicious and very well presented with good portions. The menu was varied with additional daily specials.

Lockwoods offer a warm welcome as you walk through the door from friendly staff. This is just what Ripon needs. An excellent place to spend an evening enjoying good food in a friendly environment. (They are also open for morning coffees and lunches.)

By Kev Field
The food was stunning, my girlfriend had the Linguine with almonds, basil and cherry tomatoes, I had pan fried cod with wild mushrooms

The atmosphere is set by the excellent surroundings, the service was excellent but not intrusive

Restaurant-guide.com

By Joyce Taylor
We took a trip out to Ripon last week from Harrogate, and were delighted to find Lockwoods. The restaurant feels light and fresh with a combination of old character from the brick walls and modern touches in the lighting and seating. Very comfortable and intimate, with friendly and efficient service, we didn't want to leave! The food was great also. I had the Marleys aged rib eye steak which was succulent, and the brioche and butter pudding. My wife had the English fishcake, and the wonderful selection of local cheeses. There are also vegetarian options, a children's menu, and an interesting wine list. We will be back!

By Jill Robinson
Had a fantastic meal on a Wednesday evening, the place was lively and full of atmosphere. Food was superb, your info says the food is slightly more upmarket in the evening. Very misleading it was SUPERB, excellent, will go again time after time. By far the best food in Ripon, the Chef does really know his stuff, very seasonal and simple. Service was friendly and very efficient, the coffee was excellent. 10/10

25th May, 2006.

Steve Sowerby
The standard of food, its presentation as well as the time and effort of the chef was of a level that other restaurants should look at, nod their heads wisely and then try to emulate.

It was our first visit on a rather uninspiring Tuesday evening when most folk would be at home in front of the TV, but the quality was much better than we had served at a Michelin starred restaurant a few miles from here. The bottom line is that this won't be our only visit.

Frances Lewis
Lockwoods only opened in December and it is so good to see somewhere like this open in the City. I am from the area and have always loved Ripon but there has never really been much on offer there in terms of good quality, affordable food. Lockwoods seems to have achieved exactly the right combination with a really relaxing atmosphere, daytime and evening and a varied menu that offers you something different every time. (I have already been several times!).

I have tried some of the permanent menu such as the huge fishcakes, the whole sea bass and the delicious mussels. I am a seafood lover but there are also plenty of meat dishes. I often go for something from the specials board though, which changes daily. My favourite has to have been the king prawns in a garlic butter. Many of the menu items are offered as an 'ample' or 'generous' portion which is a nice touch and gives you more choice. The portions are very generous so you will definitely leave full but one tip I would offer, if you can save space is to try the cheese board, it is great!

I have always received a really warm welcome and the service has been friendly and attentive, without being over the top. Highly recommended!

Things are changing in sleepy Ripon thanks to the likes of young but talented chef Matt Lockwood. And not before time. Matt acknowledges that he himself held back from opening some years ago, feeling the timing wasn't quite right. Now he sees it differently, and has jumped in while he sees the signs of other investments being made in this small and -- until now -- quite parochial city.

The cathedral may dominate the town here, and can be seen from miles around, but Lockwoods is set to dominate the restaurant and café scene by attracting custom from just as far, and a lot further. Café by day and sophisticated restaurant by night, it almost tries to be everything to all people, but remarkably gets away with it. Whether it's a mid morning breakfast you want, a wholesome lunch, a light snack or a fine evening meal, this place offers it all under one roof. Like a chameleon, it metamorphoses quite organically and without fuss into an eatery, café-bar and cool hang out, and even art gallery - all rolled into one.

Matt has brought something new, fresh and exciting to Ripon fusing traditional flavours and dishes with an international element, a blend of modern British with Mediterranean aspects, and very successfully too. It's both a pop-in venue for those who appreciate a good designer coffee or beer, or a glass of fine wine - maybe a snack -- through to being a destination venue, with people already making the journey from as far away as Leeds. The decor reflects the cuisine -- simple and modern yet with a traditional twist, as Matthew puts it. The lighting is warm and sophisticated and there's a nice natural and vibrant look about it thanks to the warm brick and light wood interior. Natural daylight streams in from a large central skylight, turning to a dark heavenly blue in the evening, the perfect blend of intimacy and airiness. Rude but tasteful canvasses by David Stead – who runs the gallery behind the restaurant -- pepper the walls.

Food here is flavoursome and generously portioned. Top of the morning down, looking at a bite for brunch, a great little number would be the smoked salmon, scrambled egg with toasted brioche (£4.95). The brioche is something they like to push here, not only for breakfast/brunch but also to go with a lunchtime or evening starter. It makes a nice light refreshing change and works well. This aside, you'll be pleased to know the bread is homemade. Lunch is served up with a range of gourmet sandwiches from £5.25 including Plum Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella (v). Equally appetising is their Smoked Salmon with mascarpone, mango chutney and pancetta. Amongst the more exotic numbers on the lunchtime menu include Parma Ham & Melon, Earl Grey & Raisin Syrup. Alternatively there's something different every day in the more liquid form of the soup of the day with rustic bread. Their pasta dishes include a choice option which should go down well - Wild Mushroom and Blue Cheese Risotto (V). If the time is right, a good pizza option could be the Tallegio, Rocket and Asparagus.

And so to the evening, where starters beg a modest £5.25. A sample offering for the evening menu for starters is a brave one for some of us -- Deep Fried Whitebait, Salad, Lemon and Tartare Sauce. The Warm Toulouse sausage with Tomato, Capers, Frisee and Mustard Dressing pleases with a bang. While mains come in at an equally modest £6.95. If you're keen on fish, then you should be very happy plumping for the Mackerel with a curious 'green paste' (a particular favourite of Matt's), based on a marinade, made with toasted cumin seeds and also used as a dressing. Lots of coriander is used together with green chillies and coconut. Then there's the less challenging Sea Bream with Jersey Royals, Lemon and Butter. And Smoked Haddock Fishcake with Tartare Sauce, French Fries. Sausage is very much conspicuous here with a Weatherheads Sausage and Mash number rearing it's head, served with onion gravy. Weatherheads are the local sausage kings around these parts and you should find them to be exceptional.

If all this spiced meat is too much to bear for a vegetarian, then you'll be pleased to know that Mr Lockwood is not afraid of using the 'V' sign sparingly peppered across his menus. And so we'd be silly not to make mention of his Chargrilled Vegetable and Goats Cheese Stack, Sesame roasted potatoes, salsa verde (V). And for all you dairy freaks out there, a fine variety of cheeses complete with a spoiling of fig and walnut, quince and grapes and apricot bread. Really nice to find the thought that has gone into this rich presentation, which is in large part due to the local Yorkshire cheesemonger - Michael Lee -- who specialises in handmade cheeses from across Britain & Ireland.

Wines start from £11.95 and top out at £19.95, with a few by the glass available. Oh, anyone want to buy a winerack at a notch under £6,000? They have one for you here -- really nice organic one carved out of solid oak. Just another quirky way in which they showcase art to go. Desserts start at £4.95 with the more unusual and most favoured flavoursome choices perhaps being Summer Pudding with Mint Crème Fraiche, and the Chocolate Pot, strawberry fool with shortbread, and lastly, the aforementioned cheese and biscuits. We only mention these if you can resist the Treacle Tart with Ice Cream.

A lot of care and quality has gone into establishing Lockwoods and continues to at every level. Whether you turn up morning, afternoon or night, Ripon does have something to be proud of -- quite apart from its quaintness and its cathedral.

A menu to suit every taste and pocket
By Ruth Badley
THE arrival of Lockwoods café and restaurant to North Street, Ripon has created quite a stir and it's easy to see why.

Lockwoods is not the first to pick up the café by day, restaurant by night challenge but making it work relies a lot on the ambience of the place.

It is easy to imagine enjoying a plate of pasta or filled ciabatta here by day even as you peruse the evening menu which reeks sophistication without being at all intimidating. Dress down or up, Lockwoods seems to have hit the right note with people who enjoy good food with a choice of price tags.

The dinner menu for example offers a chargrilled ribe-eye of Weatherhead's beef with a classic Bearnaise sauce for £13.95 but an imaginatively topped pizza will only set you back £7.50 tops. And forget the boring choices - roast shredded pork, chorizo, thyme, Tallegio cheese and lemon dressed rocket is one option indicating the chef is on his toes.

Located on an awkward curve - don't even think of parking outside - the long vista from the front door to the far distant but visible kitchen has been cleverly broken down into different sized spaces. The layout of comfy red banquettes and attractive tables is at varied heights, allowing a large party of diners on one side of the dining room to barely register with the couples enjoying an intimate dinner for two almost opposite. The lighting too is spectacular and very well placed to illustrate the old meets new design which includes steel and brickwork.

For starters the salad of chicken, crisp pancetta, spinach and artichokes (£4.50) was bursting with flavour and freshness. A crab and spring onion risotto, one of two fish-based starters (£5.95) needs a huge appetite. This is a rich and filling mixture and portion size could have been trimmed back for my taste. A risotto as a starter needs a lighter touch and next time I might be more inclined to try the beetroot and spinach main course version with Yorkshire blue cheese. (£8.50).

Lockwoods offers evening specials and both the daube of beef with parsnip puree (£9.50) and belly pork, champ mash, carrot puree and sage jus (£10.95) were melt in the mouth tender. I prefer my vegetable purees with some texture to them so the carrot was more appealing to me than the parsnip but both had a great flavour.

The presentation is modern and the service offered by some very young waiting staff - particularly on the wine - is confident and efficient.

Desserts are £4.50 with a select choice of fruit-based and chocolate options. Sticky toffee pudding is now a cliché and it's time it disappeared off menus for a while. Lockwoods do a sublime version of pannacotta with figs, though affogatto - espresso coffee over vanilla ice cream, simple though it is, would be my choice after a rich meal of big flavours.

I wish I could have managed the artisan cheese plate.

17 February 2006

Ripon's newest eaterie launched by the Mayor
MAYOR of Ripon Coun Stuart Martin was among guests attending a VIP party to launch the city's newest eaterie last Thursday.
During the evening, the Mayor cut a ribbon to formally open Lockwoods cafe bar and restaurant on North Street, which has been a big hit with Ripon diners since it opened before Christmas.

Around 70 guests attended the event, including Andy Lockwood, father of owner Matthew Lockwood, who flew in from his home in San Francisco to be there.

Matthew's sister Caroline, who has been handling the marketing and PR for the restaurant, said it had been a big success. "It was a great night, everything went really well and the food and drink was delicious and live music from Colin Holt's band kept people entertained," she said.

l For more pictures see Society magazine in the pull-out section.
20 January 2006

City's appetite for new eaterie
By Ruth Badley
"This is just what Ripon has been waiting for."

Just one of the many positive comments voiced about Lockwoods, the city's bright new eaterie located on North Street, which opened for business on December 14.

For owner Matthew Lockwood, who first looked at the site with a view to starting a cafe and restaurant business some three years ago, it has been a long but worthwhile wait.

"I don't think the timing was right three years ago but since then there has been a lot of investment and upgrading of facilities in the city. I wanted to open a place that local people would want to come to and return to again and again.

"We have been really busy since we opened and the feedback has been extremely positive. "

Matthew, 26, has been a restaurant manager at Babylon, Leeds, The Three Tuns, Osmotherley, and Chapters in Stokesley and his background gave him plenty of ideas about the sort of restaurant he would like to open.

"I wanted to create somewhere relaxed and friendly that offered very good quality but kept it simple and affordable for everyone. You can have a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine or, for a little more money, a great steak. We aim to keep what we do simple but do it really well."

Lockwoods offers a cafe bar/ restaurant service based round a Mediterranean style menu of lunchtime snacks and light meals in addition to the restaurant menu. The 'ample' or 'generous' portions on some dishes offers further choice for customers. Lockwoods' philosophy is to offer a modern dining experience with a traditional twist. This has inspired the decor, which combines natural wood and exposed brickwork with a contemporary colour scheme and modern lighting.

New eaterie aims to combine old with new in Ripon
A NEW eaterie is due to open in North Street, Ripon next month.
Called Lockwoods, the venue aims to offer a refreshing experience of traditional flavours from around the world, in a relaxed contemporary setting.

Menus will feature local produce and ingredients from around the world with dishes ranging from homemade fish and chips to fresh pizzas and pasta.

The cafe and dining room decor combines traditional images, natural wood finishes and exposed brickwork, set against the more contemporary backdrop of a zinc topped bar with vibrant colours and modern lighting.

Owner Matthew Lockwood is keen to bring something new to his local area. He is excited by the new developments that are happening in Ripon alongside its rich history.

Matthew said: "I want to create a cafe and dining room that brings something new to Ripon. Lockwoods will offer the best of traditional flavours within a relaxed contemporary setting, to provide a refreshing and tasty experience that will appeal to everyone."

Lockwoods will be open all day, serving the finest Italian coffee, snacks, tasty sandwiches, a great selection of wines and beers, and an exciting evening menu.
Harrogate Advertiser 21 October 2005