The General Tarleton

This former coaching inn between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge represents the first restoration in Tommy Banks’ Jeopardy Hospitality group, and good money has gone into its smart makeover. The homely bar with old-style oak tables and Windsor chairs is dedicated to drinkers, while the sunlit atrium is a fresh, modern space filled with light ash tables; there’s a ‘delightful new terrace’ too. The ‘diverse and enticing’ menu is packed with pub classics: the ever-popular twice-baked cheese soufflé sitting in ‘a moat of green loveliness’ is a star attraction, but don’t ignore other stalwarts – from bavette steak with bone marrow sauce to handsome pies, braised lamb shoulder or the GT cheeseburger with fries. Dishes are refined and carefully executed, as in BBQ monkfish with squash, cavolo nero and vadouvan sauce or a green-cardamom crème brûlée with damson and nashi pear. This is elevated pub cooking, so don’t expect average pub prices, but there's also a terrific-value three-course set menu most sessions.  Winchester cheese and leek croquettes go well with pints of Yorkshire ale in the bar, and there's a strong selection of wines by the glass.