The House of the Trembling Madness

The House of the Trembling Madness. Isn't that the best name you've ever heard for a pub? Or more correctly, a medieval drinking hall. Not just a pub, but also a cafe, a shop selling over 600 ales, and a real site of history. The rear end of the building started life in 1180 AD as the first Norman House to be built in York and still that wall holds up the old ship beams your head, those beams sailed the seas over 800 years ago.

It's impressive for that build up alone before you even get there!

The cafe area of the Trembling Madness is through the shop and upstairs into the garret of the building, which has been kept exactly how you would expect and hope it to be, with a wall of mounted trophy heads, the chunky beams mentioned earlier, traditional furniture covered in throws and cushions, and dripping wax candles. The only anachronistic is a pleasant one... classic rock music playing as accompaniment!

The food on offer is simple, in the form of burgers, platters, pies, stew and bar food, but it's done well, focusing on the food being of good quality rather than a huge variety of options. There is something on the menu called "Viking Willy Salsichon" too.

I opted to go for something from the breakfast/lighter menu in the form of Yorkshire Rarebit, whilst my partner decided on a platter, and after much debating between which one to go for, chose the Madness Platter.

As the space is cosy, it means that you often end up chatting to the other patrons, but this is Yorkshire, so it's all good and pleasant, especially when they share their personal favourite items from the menu or the ale shop etc.

Our food arrives and to put it bluntly is bloody delicious. The Yorkshire Rarebit is perfectly seasoned and flavoured and comes with a "small" fresh salad. The Madness Platter is massively tasty, with some real little treats; the bread in particular was very good!

The service in the place is friendly and very casual, the staff often heard laughing, joking and playing around, but in a good way. I visited twice on the trip to York I made this time, and both times the place was very busy, proving its popularity with locals and tourists alike.

The only sad thing I've heard is that it may be closing or relocating in a year or so as Betty's Cafe next door wants to expand their business into what is now Trembling Madness. I hope they don't do it to be honest, but if and when Trembling Madness move, I imagine they'll do their bit to keep the charm of wherever they move, whilst still providing good food and drink.

I hope to return.