What we thought of Elixir Ristorante Italian restaurant in Richmond

We had picked up the menu and were scanning the lengthy line-up of pizza, pasta, risotto, chicken dishes, steaks, seafood, burgers, and lite bites (sandwiches, toasties, paninis, jackets, salads and omelettes – you’ve got all that?) and thought: this looks very familiar.

And it was. Not because we had somehow forgotten about a previous visit. We do have our senior moments these days but not to that extent.

It was almost identical to the menu at the Bianco Ristorantes in Northallerton and Thirsk. And Uno Ristorante in Yarm.

We liked that because we have a bit of soft spot for the Biancos and Uno. Not because it is particularly authentic Italian.

But it has no pretensions, it provides serviceable food swiftly and with a smile. Nothing to rave about but we do need these reliable, does-what-it-says-on-tin places.

The menu is probably where the similarities end. It has a ritzier feel than its sibling establishments thanks in the main to a spectacular bar (it’s amazing what can be achieved with some back-lit marble-effect material and a fine array of optics) and a fabulous view over the Georgian market place.

Our table had a great view of the bar but not the market place. We suspect you probably have to book those tables on a weekend evening. We were there early doors on a Friday and they were all taken or reserved.

We didn’t need long to look at the menu given our previously-established knowledge of its contents and also the generous portion sizes.

So we knew that the bread and olives starter (£5.95) is in fact a sharing platter for two, perhaps even three people. Four huge hunks of bread come with a tree’s-worth of olives, a generous pot of Parmesan shavings, a tomato-y salsa thingy, rocket leaves, and balsamic and olive oil. Oh, and butter.

Okay, the bread might not be the finest artisan sourdough, the olives with a single, green, exception were all black and the balsamic was probably not aged for ten years or more in oak barrels in the heart of Modena. But for this price, no-one’s complaining.

My main course of sea bass was a hearty plateful when sea bass (£16.95) as an option in restaurants is often anything but. This was thanks to the crisp fillets of fish – not overdone – which were perched on top of a tomato sea of mussels and prawns. The prawns were baby-sized but they were plentiful as were the fat and juicy mussels. There was probably too much of the garlicky tomato sauce.

It came with some sauteed new potatoes and a little salad. All good.

Things went awry with Sylvia’s main course.

We don’t know if it was our fault when ordering by not making ourselves clear or the fault of our waitress for not making sure that Sylvia wanted the Chicken Dolce Momento (£14.95) and not the Chicken Dolcelatte (£15.95).

Whatever, it was the blue cheese sauce version that was brought to the table – and firmly rejected.

All credit to the restaurant manager who apologised profusely, as did the waitress, and the sweet chilli sauce version duly arrived ten or so minutes later. Sylvia said it was worth the wait.

A simply grilled breast of chicken, nicely charred at the edges, a sauce with lots of mixed peppers, onions and garlic as well as the sweet chilli, accompanied by chips and salad.

Our bill was a tad over £50 which seemed good value. It seemed even better value when I later checked the Bianco menu – just to confirm that the aforementioned sense of déjà vu was justified.

Yes, the menus are almost identical but there is a marked difference in price with nearly all the main courses between £1 and £5 dearer at Northallerton and Thirsk than at Richmond. The pricing is different at Uno in Yarm too – somewhere between Richmond and Northallerton/Thirsk.

Can “the market” in Northallerton and Thirsk pay more than Richmond? It seems so.

We reckoned that if we fancied a three-course blow-out it could be more than £10 a couple cheaper at Elixir than it would be at the Bianco restaurants.

So Richmond diners: enjoy your Elixir deal – while it lasts.

Elixir Ristorante

Market Place, Richmond DL10 4QG

Tel: 01748 822035

Web: www.elixirrichmond.co.uk

Open: Sunday to Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-11.30pm

Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 7, Service 7, Surroundings 8, Value 8