Lunch review of Upstairs Downstairs deli and tearoom, Thirsk

To those, like me, who love nothing better than an impromptu café stop – particularly as a diversion from Christmas shopping – Upstairs Downstairs hopefully refers to a quirky venue just across the road from the bus stop in Thirsk Market Place.

The Downstairs is a deli offering all manner of locally sourced treats, with the Upstairs a tearoom and sandwich bar looking out onto the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

I wasn't aiming to have lunch there, having arranged to meet a friend elsewhere, but our plans changed at the last minute, and as I was already in Thirsk hunting for festive gifts, we settled on Upstairs Downstairs, and what a happy accident it was.

The menu is extensive, with brunch options such as bacon and sausage sandwiches, or smashed avocado, poached eggs and tomatoes on toast, served all day. For lunch, there is a wide range of cold sandwiches, toasties, salads and jacket potatoes, plus soup, quiche and pork pies. A good selection of vegan and gluten free options are available, while the sweet treats on offer were truly plentiful.

If that's enough choice, there's also a specials board with five extra main meals and one further dessert. I would have happily eaten about 90 per cent of the menu, but in the end chose the "hot roast of the day (pork) in a bun with all the trimmings" off the specials board (£12.50), while my dining companion opted for the fish finger sandwich (£9).

The food came swiftly, not giving me any extra time to examine the many old photos of historic Thirsk adorning the walls before it arrived. I'll have to save those for another visit.

When the specials board said "all the trimmings" it wasn't an exaggeration, and my pork bun came with a huge bowlful of roast potatoes, apple sauce, crackling, a pot of mixed carrots and cauliflower and a jug of gravy.

It was most definitely £12.50 well spent. The generous amount of pork was succulent, the roasties light and fluffy, and the crackling excellent. I had double checked when ordering if "all the trimmings" meant plenty of gravy was included. One should never assume when it comes to gravy, as a recent roast dinner at a venue which shall remain nameless, taught me. Our group of four was served essentially, a thimble-sized portion to split between us all, and when we (twice) requested some more, were presented with smaller and smaller thimbles each time. I suppose they weren't to know we were all farmers' daughters and have high expectations when it comes to gravy portions, but it did get a little awkward.

Anyway, no such problems at Upstairs Downstairs where I had enough to drown both my sandwich and my roasties. While it did make for slightly messy dining, it was 100 per cent worth the risk to my Christmas jumper.

The fish finger sandwich was equally as hearty, and as just as difficult to eat, but where there's a will there's a way. It was declared as enjoyable as mine and akin to a full meal, rather than a light lunch.

Service throughout was really personable, and very prompt, and having struck up a conversation with a lady at the next table, it became clear that many of the customers were regular visitors – always a good sign.

The total bill, with two coffees, came to £28.50 – good value we thought we for the size of the portions, the quality of the food, and the friendly welcome.

Bill paid, we ventured from Upstairs back Downstairs to check out the delights on offer in the deli, before I finished my Christmas shopping on a full stomach, confident of making better decisions.

Upstairs Downstairs

25 Market Place, Thirsk, YO71HD

https://www.facebook.com/UpstairsDownstairsThirsk/

01845 526067

Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 8 Surroundings 8 Service 9 Value 9