Oh, York! How ever would I be able to sing all its praises?! From the York Minster to the Jorvik Viking Centre; a cruise down the River Ouse to a downright hilarious Ghost Tour—There is just so much to talk about in this historic location! As I sat down to write this blog, I took a deep breath, grabbed my mug of tea, and decided to talk about my journey through York via the essentials: food. I wouldn’t consider myself a foodie… much. I just appreciate the culture, history, and creativity that go behind dishes and the ability to reflect and form strong friendship bonds through dining.
Let’s set the scene: It’s the second day of our trip to England and we just finished visiting the beautiful York Minster. With grandiose stained-glass windows and a rich history, the York Minster found itself becoming my favorite cathedral/church while in England. The Minster began to be built in 1220 and wasn’t considered complete for over 250 years. You know what has existed longer than that and can be completed in about thirty minutes? A British Pie! Savory and warm, the pie is a staple of any British pub or restaurant, and I had the pleasure of sampling three different kinds during this trip. In York, I had a wonderful wild mushroom pie with gravy on top. When not topped with gravy, the pie can be a very portable type of food. The thick crust holds the meat or vegetables at the perfect temperature until it can be cracked open and enjoyed. I wonder if the people responsible for the building of the Minster had the pleasure of eating something similar to the pie. I sure hope so. I rate this pie a 10/10!
Most of my culinary journey in York took place on the third day, so it is time to set the scene yet again: It’s a Sunday. Service at the Minster has just ended, and I’m waking up thinking about the Ghost Tour I went on the night before. York is considered England’s “most haunted city”. Aside from ghosts, one may also find… Vikings! At the Jorvik Viking Centre, we traveled through a recreation of a Viking village with really well-made animatronics (and, for a second there, I thought they were actors!). Under this centre, an archeological dig took place and uncovered the remains of a Viking village. By the time our adventure in the centre was over, I felt compelled to try a close-by food truck’s self-proclaimed “Viking Burger” featuring wild boar patties with loganberries and leeks. The sweet berries brought this burger to the next level and the leeks paired with them very well. Did you know that leeks were the original symbol of Wales? Some Vikings also spoke versions of Old Welsh too! To this burger, I give it a 11/10! (I am a food enthusiast; not a food critic.)
For our next culinary adventure, there is something I must admit: 95% of my liquid intake is tea. I love tea, and when I saw we would be going to Betty’s Tea Room, I dashed over to YouTube to learn proper tea etiquette in England. The concept of afternoon tea stems from the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna. She felt that the time between lunch was a wee bit long and that just some small snacks and tea during that space would be acceptable. It’s the perfect time to invite some friends over and engage in gossip too! I couldn’t agree more, Anna! The tea was positively divine, and I experienced two types: Betty’s Afternoon Tea Blend and Pi Lo Chun Green Tea. They paired perfectly with the teeny tea sandwiches, scones, and macaroons. Oh, how I wish I could be there once more. Before I left, I made sure to buy a box of the tea blend for home. They don’t call me Tea-dora for nothing! (Actually, nobody calls me that, but it’d be a great name if I ever opened a tea store or brand.) Tea-riffic tea! Tea-n out of tea-n!
Like any meal, the best way to end a trip in York is with deserts. After finishing my packing for the expected train ride to Cambridge the next day, I opened a small box and was graced by tiny treasures. Chocolate! York is rather famous for its chocolate. If you ever had one of those chocolate oranges, then think of York the next time you eat one because that was the place it was made. I learned that, before the famous chocolate orange, Terry’s dabbled with chocolate apples and chocolate lemons. I love citrus flavors, so a chocolate lemon sounds delicious. This time, I tried chocolates with flavors like rhubarb, strawberry coconut, and mixed berry. There were six in this box, so I think a fair score is… 60/10!
Thus ends my culinary escapades in York! Seeing the sites, eating the food, and making friends are definitely memories that will not be forgotten. If you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful city, I hope you can find joy in the culinary scene too! There are plenty of restaurants that offer vegetarian options and I was thoroughly impressed with how servers and staff generally make it a habit to ask parties if there are any dietary restrictions. Bon Appetit!
Thank you for reading!
Teodora Buzea