Spillage! (Castleford) wrote on 16 February 2010

I've visited and eaten at El Pianos quite a few times. The first was a party upstairs, which was excellent and free style. We sat upon large scattered cushions, were allowed to bring our own booze, and were served delicious vegan food until we could eat no more, all for a fixed sum, which wasn't that much, to say there were 12 of us.
Each visit was relaxing and inviting and warm. The food is excellent, the staff are the most sincere and friendly staff you could ever want, and the prices are very very reasonable. The whole establishment is ethical, and I'd reccomend it to anyone, whatever their dietry preferences.
I took my daughter there the other day with my girlfriend and her daughter, and we ate until we burst, all four of us for about £50! (And I mean burst! I wasn't hungry again until the following afternoon... and we ate at about half four that tea time!)
Five stars for the service, smiles (genuine ones, not the plastic robotic smiles you get at chain and "posh" establishments!) and ethical practices.

Yorkshire Pud (scarborough) wrote on 19 October 2009

Surely vegan food can be slightly exiciting with the range of ingredients out there, the food at El Piano just brought back terrible memories of insipid mush served up by friends going through their 'vegan' period when students.
I mean Thai curry consisting of coconut milk red peppers (these were very thin on the ground) and potatoes!!!!!!! why on earth did they think potatoes would be a good idea. What about the countless variety of mushrooms, baby aubergines etc etc.
Dahl was particularly dreary, this is a dish that at it's best can rival any meat curry , sadly not in this case, bland, bland, bland.
Overall found all the food totally lacking in imagination, originality, variety of ingredients and above all flavour.
Staff were friendly, but prices completely over the top for the standard of food served.
This place would make the average meat eater never want to pass over the threshold of a veggie or vegan establishment again, food and pricewise it ticked all the wrong boxes.

Lorraine Watson (Northallerton) wrote on 17 September 2009

Excellent restaurant, can't wait to return!
I visited a few weeks ago for lunch with my two daughters. I am vegan, my daughters vegetarian. The choice is fantastic, the food is not bland but the range wide enough to avoid spicy food if this is not to your taste. We enjoyed the tapas style and only ordered three dishes between us which we found was ample for a light lunch, at £3.95 each for a sit down lunch and table service we though this was very reasonable. We really liked the pleasant little courtyard area at the back away from the hustle and bustle of York in the school holidays!
Can't wait to go back again!

Sarah and Adam (Oldham) wrote on 8 June 2009

Booked this in advance after seeing it on veggieheaven and didn't regret it. If you do one thing in York (especially as a vegan) then visit this restaurant. Fab food and a lovely vegan wine list. Plus, the most friendly, attentive, but relaxed, staff you could wish for.

Magdalena Chavez (Restaurant Connection) wrote on 5 June 2009

El Piano in York has been functioning for over 10 years now thanks to the many many customers we have served. We have been immensely fortunate in the very broad customer base that has supported us and as a result we have been able to open another site in Spain that is now in its second year. While this is supposed to be a space for customers to review US, we would like to take this opportunity to review YOU. In all our years of serving the public we can count on one hand the bad experiences WE have had. We thank all of you, even those of you who, on balance, prefer other places to eat and may not return. Your money in our till has meant we have grown and have become one of the foremost providers of restaurant food to vulnerable people in the UK and, very likely, will soon be able to say the same in Spain. Thank you all.

Ms C M Palmer (Grimsby) wrote on 6 July 2008

Whilst on a shopping day out we came upon this restaurant by accident when searching for something a little different to standard pub grub!

I am vegetarian and my three friends are not. We loved the food, the hippy atmosphere and decor. Our waiting staff were brilliant too - a lovely dark haired young man who is a student at York University and was great fun as well as efficient and a very pretty blond girl .

We got on the train back to Lincolnshire absolutely full to bursting and will definately visit again. Thanks for a great time!

Nat (Birmingham) wrote on 30 May 2008

We went here for lunch on Sat 24 May 08 after reading the reviews. It was so good we went back for dinner in the evening and my boyfriend had a piece of cake to take away in the afternoon! Fully vegan and gluten-free, also sells alcohol and soft drinks and some take away food. For lunch we had a selection of 6 main meal tapas dishes (as recommended on the menu) and that was plenty for two without starters. Particularly gorgeous was the sweet potato mousse and the Aztec tofu. Great range of vegan desserts including carrot cake, choc brownie and sticky toffee pudding. I asked for rice custard with mine and it was brought at no extra charge so we left a good tip. Highly recommended.

Peter (Suckley, Worcs) wrote on 24 May 2008

Update April 2008:
Menu has been simplified but still as good as ever.
Now the food is 100% vegan and gluten free (but you can have cows milk in your coffee, if you must!). Dishes include salads, falafel, dhal, shepherd's pie, hummus, cheesecake and much more. Served in pine 'boats'. I particularly enjoyed the thai thai (lightly spiced coconut cream with red pepper, potatoes, lime leaves, lemon grass & wild rice).
Each dish costs £3.95 and they recommend 5-7 dishes for two people.

Beccy (Acomb, York) wrote on 24 April 2008

I love living in York, love being a vegan, but find eating out in York so difficult!
El Piano is a little ray of sunshine in a not so vegan-friendly city. Staff are so helpful, the prices are high-but they deserve every penny for promoting a cruelty free lifestyle!

Mel Rogers (Northamptonshire) wrote on 10 April 2008

We found the atmosphere and decor pleasant, but we thought the food was overpriced (especially given the simple ingredients) and the portion sizes not big enough. Nice staff, but not worth a return.

Kate (York) wrote on 7 April 2008

Lovely place hidden down a backstreet in York - feels like a secret the tourists haven't cottened onto yet! I believe the whole menu is now vegan which is wonderful and all the wine is vegan-friendly too which is very special I have to say.

Menu can be a bit hit and miss but tapas style makes it inexpensive to experiment; by and large everything is lovely and there are loads of options so there'll definitely be something for everyone.

As a vegan in York I feel rather limited but El Piano is definitely the diamond in the rough. I recommend the big platters for those confused by the ordering system, or try the lunch platters for one (which are cheaper between 5-7pm weekdays).

Overall really brilliant and a beautiful place to come with friends who think York is all cobbles and tourists.

x

Laura (York) wrote on 28 July 2007

Very friendly staff who are always happy to help! Lovely food - even if not quite to your taste it could never be described as bland! A few old favourites have been taken from the menu but the sweet potato mousse is still there and is gorgeous! The atmosphere is comfortable, cosy and friendly.

Cate Browning (Derbyshire) wrote on 27 July 2007

Staff were lovely, nice restaurant but food was well over priced and very bland. We went with a large group and we all felt ripped off really.

Sorry, will not visit again.

Sharon Pavey (York) wrote on 20 July 2007

Really lovely little find in a quiet shopping lane in York. Don't be phased by the confusing menu the first time you go - all will be explained by the friendly staff. The Falafels are mouthwatering, the coffee - a different but delicious drink, hummous - divine and I always eat far too much olive bread!!! If you fancy something a bit different - give it a try.

Peter Tootill (Worcs) wrote on 8 May 2007

Wide range of vegetarian (much vegan as well), gluten free food. Choice of portion sizes, reasonably priced and good. Some Indian, some Mexican and more. Will definitely come again.

Paul (York) wrote on 13 January 2005

El Piano is a very bright, cheerful restaurant that serves tasty and varied food throughout the day. As well as being a restaurant, it is also a shop, and they are proud of the fact that just about everything apart from the staff is for sale. The atmosphere is relaxed and if you go at weekends there is live music. Definitely worth a visit, if only for the gorgeous coffee. Highly recommended.