It might be slap bang beside the main road in the centre of Hebden Bridge but it has the intimate feel of someone's front room.

The food is great, the service excellent and the fact that there are often only a handful of other guests makes it an enjoyable experience.

Kitties has been feeding a discerning clinetele since 1991, which shows that it is more than just a flash in the pan.

The menu is comprehensive, rather than extensive, beautifully presented and above all tasty.

My wife and I chose it for our wedding anniversary and we were not disappointed.

She had house wine and because I was driving and the non-alcoholic beer had run out, I opted for a glass of Bud.

As we sat in the cosy bar area studying the menu, our host provided a plate of canapes and the old clock quietly chimed 7.30.

The adjoining dining room has space for 20 customers so it needs only a handful to give it a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere.

Sue went for a starter of Rosette of smoked salmon and crab – light Orkney crab claw meat wrapped in salmon on a bed of mixed leaf salad. And very nice it was too.

While the garlic mushrooms, blue cheese turnover, potted oxtail terrine and the other delicacies looked tempting, I decided to save myself for the main course and space for dessert.

Even before we began the meal proper, the chef produced a very flavoursome taster in the form of a smoked haddock filled pastry.
It is hard to resist the offer of freshly baked baps which also came in a variety of styles.

For my main, I chose succulent sauted lamb, seasoned with garlic and served with spinach, spring onions and mushrooms.

It was a generous portion and cooked to perfection, although I would have preferred a red-hot plate.

Sue tucked into a seafood carnival – sea bass, salmon, scampi and monkfish poached and served with asparagus tips, balsamic sherry and truffle vinaigrette.

The meal over, we needed a lengthy break before turning to the ample selection of mouthwatering home made desserts.

I would have gone for Orange and Gran Marnier souffle but instead headed for Mont Blanc – a huge peak of white chocolate ice cream in a sea of warm chocolate sauce surrounded by fresh cream profiterole islands – a dessert to die for and made all the better by passing on the starter.

Rounding off the evening as the clock chimed 9.30pm, Sue enjoyed a fresh decaffeinated coffee, a huge brandy snap and Belgian chocolates.
Altogether a very satisfying, sensibly priced meal, it cost around £55 for the two of us at a restaurant which, despite trading for more than 17 years still feels like it is undiscovered. All the dishes are European with a classical French flair and have been created on the premises by talented owners Nick and Helen Cornish. The restaurant prefers prior reservations and caters for special dietary needs by arrangement.

Ratings
Name: Kitties Restaurant

Address: Market Street, Hebden Bridge

Phone: 01422 842956

Food 4/5
Atmosphere 3/5
Service 4/5
Value 3/5