LAURA KNOWLSON enjoys a spring feast at the Black Swan at Helmsley.

As the saying goes, “any excuse for a party”, so how about the arrival of spring? The onset of a new season proved to be an ideal cause for celebration at The Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley.

The hotel’s 3 AA Rosette restaurant The Gallery hosted an intimate Spring Gourmet Dinner as part of its series of gourmet evenings running throughout the year.

Head chef Patrick Bardoulet’s five-course menu was carefully constructed from an abundance of seasonal ingredients sourced from across North Yorkshire, with no corner left unturned as the sea, field, farm and river all played a part in the feast.

With a decorative scattering of peas and beans on the table, surrounding centrepieces of flourishing florets of broccoli, asparagus, carrots and radishes, the tone was set for an evening celebrating the region’s finest produce.

The set menu began with an amuse-bouche of green pea veloute and coconut emulsion: a vibrant-looking dish with a softer taste of varying textured peas.

Each course was paired with its own wine, carefully hand-picked by Gary Smulders of Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines, who was on hand not only to guide diners through the complementary flavours but, thanks to the company sourcing wines direct from the producer, to give a interesting insight into each tipple, from the size and shape of the grape to the time of day it was picked.

The first of the wines was a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which subtly rather than sharply cut though a goat cheese curd with onion seeds and accompanying asparagus.

Juicy scallops were then served with cardamom-infused carrot puree, broad beans, wild garlic and maple foam with a light Spanish Vedejo.

The main course for the evening featured varying cuts of Yorkshire spring lamb and potato dauphine adapted with almond. Although staying light, the wine turned red with a Chilean Pinot Noir.

Dinner drew to a close with rhubarb three ways and a sweet little Moscato from Italy before coffee and petit fours.

The fine food and fine wine was made all the better thanks to fine company, with the Black Swan’s Gourmet Dinners promising an opportunity to enjoy an evening with “like-minded guests, who also relish the finer things in life”.

After joining the hotel last autumn, this is Patrick Bardoulet’s first collection of seasonal events. The next evening promises an occasion to combine the fruits of our seas with international twists and flavours at The Gallery’s Seafood Dinner on June 25, and there is a French gourmet evening on July 16. Full details of forthcoming events at blackswan-helmsley.co.uk or 01439 770466.