More than just a Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms
For us at The Black Swan, it’s much more than just Michelin Star food. The focus is all about where we are and who we are – a reflection of “Oldstead”- traditional Yorkshire with a swirling mix of creativity and eccentricity. We design and build most things ourselves. Whatever it is, it’s us, and as our guest, you’ll see it for yourself.
Chef, Tommy Banks’ talent is in itself truly remarkable. He was Britain’s youngest Michelin-starred chef in 2013 and won Great British Menu in 2016 and 2017. The Michelin-starred Black Swan was awarded The Best Restaurant in the UK 2018 by The Food and Travel Magazine and the ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the World’ by TripAdvisor, in 2017.
Tommy, James and their parents Anne and Tom Banks were joined by Matt Lockwood to establish a new restaurant, Roots York in the old building of The Bay Horse on Marygate in York. Roots opened in September 2018 and is sister to The Black Swan, carrying the field to fork ethos into its small sharing plates restaurant. Bringing a little bit of Oldstead into the city.
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Homegrown Creativity
“I see the Black Swan as a co-operative of minds. We have great people working here; some real characters with tremendous talent and it’s their coming together that creates something special. We want our guests to feel part of it and experience it with us. It’s not just a job for us, it’s a lifestyle”
– Tommy Banks
Informal Hospitality
During your stay you will meet many of our staff. Both the kitchen and front-of-house teams spend many hours working outside; they really understand what the food is and why it’s on the plate; they can tell you the whole story from start to finish.
“I like to think that we have brushed aside much of the formality normally associated with fine dining; for us it’s about our guests having fun; so it’s good food, good service and a good time” – Anne Banks
Something unique
“We’re lucky to have such a creative team. Growing and foraging so much ourselves really gives us an edge and a chance to do things differently. Guests get something unique to us; our personality, our place and our ideas.”
– James Banks
Yorkshire farmers
“As Yorkshire farmers, it’s great that our food is eaten right here where it’s been grown (with so few food miles) but before we take ourselves too seriously, let’s not forget the distance that you, our guests, might have travelled in order to eat it”
– Tom Banks
Designed and Made in Oldstead
Owned and run by The Banks Family, who have lived and farmed around Oldstead for many generations; The Black Swan is very much their creation, with Tommy Banks heading the kitchen and his brother James running the front-of-house. There’s an “Oldstead” style; plenty of tradition and culture, cut through with a modern earthy, exuberance.
It’s a melting pot of expertise that blossoms out into what is Made in Oldstead; it’s not just super-chefs and wine wizards, it’s agriculture, engineering, design, lots of washing up and a whole team of specialists in Yorkshire humour.
Gift Ideas Made in Oldstead
Take a look at our new website that’s full of brilliant gift ideas for friends and family.
There are signed copies of Tommy Banks’ cookbook ‘Roots’ and a huge variety of gift vouchers starting from just £20. Or we offer full overnight stay experiences for an extra special gift.
Or for the foodie who thinks they have everything, our 100% cotton chef aprons embroidered with The Black Swan Oldstead logo are a great idea. Or how about our own blend coffee which we serve in both restaurants, developed by James and Tommy Banks with local roastery Lonton Coffee.
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