INLAMENTATION

“We had the absolute pleasure of experiencing this incredible new restaurant Inlamentation last Friday evening for my wife’s 40th, in the charming village of Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Led by the exceptionally talented Michael O’Hare, the entire experience felt thoughtfully curated from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by a truly outstanding team at the front door. The service was seamless attentive without being intrusive and we were expertly guided through each course with genuine passion and knowledge. Michael himself also serving us and talking us through his creations. The flavours were nothing short of extraordinary. Every dish was beautifully presented, with a perfect balance of creativity and precision. You could really sense the care and craftsmanship behind each plate, with combinations that surprised and delighted in equal measure. Even the toilet was heated :-) This is more than just a meal it’s a full dining experience that lingers long after the final course. A remarkable addition to Boston Spa and one we’ll absolutely be returning to. Highly recommended. James & Charlotte”

“It’s always fun not knowing what you’re gonna eat, or anything about the meal at all. The wine lists options were good and being a non-drinker they put as much effort in to this as normal wine. They were all nice as well. The food was exciting. Creative, artistic and bold. Each dish was interesting and unique. The smoked ice cream with duck caramel and caviar was a highlight. As was the wagyu with Comte cheese. Plus the oyster in French onion soup. Oh and the tempura langoustine. The tuna with char Sui sauce. Basically a lot of tasty things. The staff were all amazing too. The playlist was also top notch. Overall a great evening. You must visit.”

“We had a fantastic night, amazing food and fabulous service. Michael was an amazing host and it was great to meet everyone in the team. The food was next level and the service to match. Already looking at booking our next visit!”

“Absolutely brilliant meal in opening week. Food was exceptional, service wonderful, restaurant ambience just perfect. We are incredibly lucky to have this in our village and can't wait to come again.”

“We recently visited the Kitchen Counter for a daytime sitting and, from a food and execution perspective, it was an exceptional experience. The cooking was thoughtful, refined and technically impressive throughout. Each course felt deliberate and well-balanced, and the counter seating added a real sense of theatre and connection to the kitchen. The team were knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what they do. However, the overall experience was affected by how the booking and drinks pairing were handled. We were able to secure the reservation without selecting a pairing at the time of booking. Just two days before our visit, we were contacted and told that the pairing was mandatory and that we would need to accept it or cancel the reservation. Given the timing, this didn’t feel like a genuine choice and left us going into the experience feeling somewhat unwelcome. On the day, we tried the first two non-alcoholic pairings but didn’t enjoy them and asked for them to be removed. After that, no further drinks from the pairing were offered or served for the remainder of the meal. Despite this, we were still charged in full for the pairing (approximately £130 in total). At this level, it’s not about the cost itself, but about alignment between what is presented, what is delivered, and how it is handled. Being charged for a full pairing that was neither wanted nor ultimately served felt inconsistent with the otherwise high standards of the kitchen. There were also a couple of upsell moments, including during the meal, which interrupted the flow and felt out of place in what is positioned as a premium, curated experience. The structure of the menu itself also felt unusual. While each course was excellent in isolation, the progression leaned heavily towards a sequence of small, highly refined bites, with little shift in scale or balance as the meal developed. It felt closer to a series of amuse-bouches than a traditional tasting menu, lacking a sense of contrast or a defining main moment. At over £600 for two once everything was included, the expectation is a seamless and considered experience throughout. In our case, the handling of the pairing, the structure of the menu, and the repeated upsell moments made it feel more transactional than hospitable. Taken together, the experience felt uneven. We arrived already uncertain following the pre-visit communication, and left feeling somewhat deflated by how the situation was handled. It ultimately took the edge off what should have been a special occasion. With more clarity at the point of booking, and a more considered, guest-focused approach to how these elements are handled, this could be a truly outstanding experience.”