Here’s what we think of Fox Valley's newest restaurant - McGilveray’s

What is clear, as soon as we set foot in Fox Valley’s newest restaurant, is that the restaurant respects the history of its location.
We had a fantastic lunch at the beautiful new eaterie on the shopping park's main piazzaWe had a fantastic lunch at the beautiful new eaterie on the shopping park's main piazza
We had a fantastic lunch at the beautiful new eaterie on the shopping park's main piazza

McGilveray’s stands proudly in the main piazza of the Stocksbridge shopping park, in the area that was once home to industrialist Samuel Fox – most noted for his development of the Paragon umbrella frame.

A dozen umbrellas are suspended prettily from the ceiling, while black-and-white photos, umbrella designs, and old newspaper adverts hang framed on the neat wooden walls. The attractive family-run restaurant and bar has utterly embraced the industrial styling too, with glowing Edison lamps, and a bar area constructed of heavy pipes. I love it instantly.

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It’s lunchtime on a Monday when we pay a visit, and there’s already a decent swell of people in the place. A smiling waiter leads us to a table by the window, with a terrific view of the sparkling fountains in the sunny, flag-filled square.

The 'Fisherman's Catch' of the dayThe 'Fisherman's Catch' of the day
The 'Fisherman's Catch' of the day

The lunch menu is small, which my foodie husband always insists is a great sign, and we order drinks while we peruse. McGilveray’s has been open just three months, and if there are still kinks being worked out, they’re not visible, as the attentive and friendly staff guide us through the day’s specials, and bring crayons and sticker books to keep my daughter entertained.

The dinner menu is all good local food - including steak, fish and chips, and pie – and the lunch menu features a series of lighter bites – hot pork and roast beef sandwiches, homemade giant Yorkshire puddings, oriental sea bass, and the McGilveray’s chicken BLT.

The menu is the brain child of the husband and wife team who took the space over earlier this year, completely overhauling it in the process. Head chef, and owner, Alan McGilveray, has a long history in the food industry, spending much of his career as an executive chef with Marriott Hotels. His ethos is ‘good food done well’ and he has called on relationships with suppliers, cultivated over many decades, to ensure this restaurant - his first restaurant – has the best fresh and local produce available.

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My little one chooses the children's sausage and mash, and all three adults at the table can't resist the steak and ale ‘pie of the week,’ served with mash and sauteed greens.

McGilveray's at Fox Valley in SheffieldMcGilveray's at Fox Valley in Sheffield
McGilveray's at Fox Valley in Sheffield

When the food comes, the presentation is great, and the portions are just right. The pie has a fantastic crust that holds its shape beautifully to the last bite, with a hearty filling of meat and gravy. The taste is delicious. A good slice of buttery mash complements every mouthful, and the greens are cooked beautifully, with great bite. I honestly have no complaints. My daughter's sausage reminds me of a Christmas chipolata, packed with flavour and well seasoned.

For dessert, we order a brownie, and a raspberry creme brulee. My dad declares the creme brulee the best he's ever had – the tang of the raspberries working beautifully with the rich cream of the dish. The brownie is a big hit, with a delicious slick of rich caramel sitting on top of the gooey cake, next to a ball of fresh vanilla ice cream.

We end the lunch with a round of coffees; for two rounds of drinks, four mains – including a child's – and two desserts, the bill comes to £58.05. The delicious pie, with all of its accompaniments, was a particularly great deal we felt, at £10.95 each.

McGilverarys Restaurant and Bar, Fox Valley, Sheffield, S36 2AE. Tel 0114 349 8504 to book.

This wonderful nugget of a venue is a must for great food in a beautiful setting.