The Box Tree
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Malcolm Reid and Colin Long |
| Headquarters | Ilkley , England |
Area served | West Yorkshire, England |
Key people | Adam Frontal (owner), Brayden Davies (executive chef since 2023), Simon Gueller (former chef and operator 2005–2022) |
| Products | Contemporary French cuisine |
The Box Tree is a dining establishment situated in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England, owned by Yorkshire entrepreneur Adam Frontal. Since early 2023, the kitchen has been under the direction of executive chef Brayden Davies, who brings experience from several Michelin-starred kitchens and has introduced a new tasting menu updated monthly. From 2005 until 2022, the restaurant was run by chef Simon Gueller and his wife Rena, during which time they refreshed the interior while preserving aspects from the original proprietors. The Box Tree maintained a single Michelin star up until 2019 and holds three AA rosette awards. Additionally, Gueller manages a related enterprise, Box Tree Events, which specializes in external catering services.
Originally established as a tearoom in 1962, The Box Tree was among the first four British restaurants to receive two Michelin stars in 1977 under head chef Michael Lawson. After losing both stars, it regained one star between 1996 and 2001 when Helen Avis was the owner. In 2010, former chef Marco Pierre White invested in the venue. The restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine and is distinguished by three AA rosettes along with listings in the Harden's restaurant guide.
Description
Since its inception in 1962 by Malcolm Reid and Colin Long, The Box Tree has been located at 35–37 Church Street. From 2004 onward, Simon and Rena Gueller operated the restaurant initially under a lease agreement. Simon Gueller had previously served as head chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Rascasse. The couple also oversee Box Tree Events, which provides catering beyond the restaurant premises.
Upon taking over in 2004, the Guellers undertook modernization of the restaurant’s décor, which had become dated under previous ownership. Renovations included installing recessed lighting and fabric-covered walls. The dining area features a fireplace accompanied by an 18th-century settle bench. Elements from the era of Reid and Long remain intact, such as the bar area and ceiling details.
Menu
The menu incorporates dishes that reflect the restaurant's heritage, including classics like lobster thermidor and grouse. Chef Gueller presents modern French cuisine infused with traditional influences. Notable offerings feature a foie gras terrine paired with smoked eel salad alongside apple presented as both jelly and purée. Although foie gras was temporarily removed in 2008 due to animal rights activism, it was later reintroduced, appearing also with duck terrine and pistachios. To celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2008, Gueller brought back selected dishes from the 1963 menu within a six-course tasting menu, omitting certain items such as chicken chasseur and melon boats.
History
The building housing The Box Tree is constructed from sandstone dating back to the 1720s and was acquired by Reid and Long in 1962 to operate initially as a tearoom. In 1977, it achieved two Michelin stars, joining elite UK restaurants like The Waterside Inn and Le Gavroche. The venue attracted notable figures including Johnny Mathis, Shirley Bassey, and Margaret Thatcher. Marco Pierre White began his culinary career here in 1979 under Reid and Long’s mentorship and later described it as his spiritual culinary home.
The restaurant retained its two Michelin stars until 1988 but lost its remaining star by 1991. Following financial difficulties leading to receivership in 1992, Helen Avis became the new owner. Under chef Thierry LePratre-Granet’s leadership, it regained one Michelin star in 1996. Marco Pierre White briefly returned as a consultant in 1994; however, this association ended contentiously with damages awarded for property damage.
LePratre-Granet left in 2001 and was succeeded by Toby Hill, who introduced Mediterranean influences but departed after seven months. Shane Goodway reinstated classical French cuisine from 2002 until the loss of Michelin recognition again occurred in 2003 along with removal from major guides; Goodway left soon after.
In 2004, the Guellers leased The Box Tree from Avis and succeeded in regaining a Michelin star within five months. Marco Pierre White returned in 2007 to film ITV's Hell's Kitchen at this location. White has expressed intentions to collaborate with Gueller to restore The Box Tree’s previous two-Michelin-star standing.
Reception
Shortly after Gueller assumed control and revamped the establishment in 2004, Jan Moir from The Daily Telegraph commended the restaurant’s lighter culinary approach, particularly singling out the "precisely prepared" squab pigeon as an exceptional dish. She highlighted the chef's emerging talent and described his wife Rina, who managed front-of-house operations, as an "utter natural."Jay Rayner's 2005 review, conducted prior to the restaurant regaining its Michelin star, pointed out inconsistencies in menu pricing along with some disappointing dishes, including scallops that were undercooked and brioche paired with beef tenderloin that was soggy. While he recognized a firm command of basic techniques, he found the overall food experience lacking distinction.
In the wake of the restaurant’s fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2012, Jill Turton of the Yorkshire Post described her meal as "excellent," praising items like asparagus accompanied by a soft-boiled egg prepared in a bain-marie. However, she considered the dessert offerings, such as the chocolate brownie, to be less inventive.
The respected British dining guide Harden's characterizes the cuisine as "light and flavorful" with "outstanding" execution, awarding the food a top rating of one out of five and rating both service and atmosphere at two out of five. Additionally, The Box Tree has earned three AA rosettes from the Automobile Association.