I held off reviewing The Courtyard Restaurant in Harrogate until I had eaten there a second time, as the meals served on the first visit were so perfect, that I began to think my memory might be playing tricks on me, and I vowed to go back and eat there again before putting my opinion in writing!

The Courtyard is tucked into a little corner in central Harrogate, in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it side street. If you do miss it, you are really missing out on a treat, as it's a really special tiny little English restaurant in a little cobbled courtyard. The setting is clean, modern and intimate, with pale yellow walls, spotless white cotton table cloths and candles on each table. As I said, it is a small restaurant, seating about 24 people; a few more if you count the seating outdoors in the courtyard itself. It feels really cosy in there. Every time I have been there has been (luckily) exactly the 'right amount' of people in there to make it intimate, but not feel too busy. Most of the seating is laid out in tables for 2, so it is perfect for couples having a quiet meal, but the staff are only too happy to push tables together for groups of 4 or 6.

There is a lunch/early evening menu available between 12:00 and 2:00pm, and 6:00 to 7:30pm, which give you the option of 2 courses for £9.95 or 3 courses for £12.95 off a set menu. There are 4 choices in each category of starter, main and dessert, which is plenty of choice. We have eaten off the la carte menu both times. My partner's favourite starter is the Smooth Chicken Liver pat with Cumberland sauce - this is served with toasted bread. He always has this, as he says it's one of he best pat s he has ever tasted. On the most recent occasion, I selected a Mushroom & Stilton Cheese tart served with rocket and balsamic vinager. It was so light and tasty, and I cleared my plate so quickly I could barely believe I had eaten it!

The favourite main course of both myself and my partner is the Nidderdale Lamb chops, with a lovely sliced potato side dish (the name of which I cannot recall), and asparagus and a delicious light gravy. On the last occasion my partner broke with tradition and chose the fillet of Yorkshire beef instead. We were both amazed at how large and juicy it was. That's the true beauty of the food at this restaurant - the meat is so perfectly cooked. My lamb just slid off the bones and was neither too chewy nor too dry; it was perfectly pink and succulent.

The dessert menu is equally delicious! The vanilla and gingerbread cheesecake is simply divine, and words fail me in describing just how gorgeous it was! But I can tell you, as I savoured the last spoonful, I was so very tempted to head into the kitchen and look for seconds!! There is also the option of home-made sorbet or a selection of local cheeses. Plus, they have a changing selection of tortes and puddings.

The la carte menu is pricier than the set menu - starters being approximately £6 each, mains around £14 - £17, sides from £2.50 and desserts £5. However, though this is by no means a cheap meal, it is well worth it! The food is so fresh and tasty, and the main dishes are particularly well thought out, so that the various flavours are highly complimentary to one another. The menu also changes periodically, which means there is always something new and unusual to try.

One thing I think worth mentioning though - on first sight, the portion sizes seem to be on the small side; however, I think they are worked out on the basis of each person eating a 2 or 3 course meal. Each course is 'just right' in size, and once the meal is over you feel nicely satisfied, as opposed to completely stuffed. I think the portion sizes at some 'chain' restaurants / pubs have possibly altered the general perception of what size we should expect a plate of food to be! However, despite being a little worried after finishing my starter on my first visit, I have come away completely happy with my meal on both occasions.

I really can't speak highly enough of this place. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed, the staff are helpful and not intrusive and the food is top quality and delicious. I can't fault it.