THE magnificent dining room is an obvious highlight of the post-fire Durham Ox at Crayke, near Easingwold. August Bank Holiday saw an unattended candle in the staff quarters destroy a significant amount of the 300-year-old country delight and now the five-star service has returned.

Bagpuss the pub cat was saved that day, and seeing boss Michael Ibbotson stroking him behind the bar was a good sign that the place was back in business.

After the fire, Michael, only 27, handed out leftover desserts to helpful villagers who had shown genuine concern following the blaze.

And no doubt they would be pleased to know the pub is open once more, and looking as warm, and welcoming, as any North Yorkshire rural hostelry.

Michael is keen to ensure the pub retains its 'pubness' despite its widespread reputation for fabulous food.

The specials boards which adorn the walls offer remarkably tempting treats and the dining room is a beautifully laid-out and attractive venue - but you can eat in the bar.

And why not. The bar is your typical horse-brass, small rooms, dark wood, strange memorabilia, low ceilings, old pictures, friendly staff, decent beer sort of place.

A year ago this week the Ibbotson family first brought the pub back from the brink - and for Michael it is like opening day once more.

"We completely redecorated the pub a year ago, and we asked the builders to use the same colours after the fire," he said.

"It is great to be open again and we look forward to offering the same quality service as before."

If Michael's confidence in both himself and his product is anything to go by, the Durham Ox is once again set to be a great place to eat and drink.

Oh and it is in the Independent Top 50 pubs to eat in, but we're sure that the opinions here in Bar Talk mean more than any national newspaper listing.

u FREE beer in Northallerton!

For those of you who haven't dropped the paper and made a mad dash for the market town, Bar Talk can give further details.

It is the second annual British Beef and Beer Day on Thursday. Organised by the National Farmers Union, the day is a celebration of two great British products.

"It's to promote the best of British beef and the best of British beer," said Rob Simpson, speaking from NFU regional headquarters in Tadcaster Road, York.

It is no coincidence that the event takes place at the same time as the first shipments of Beaujolais Nouveau hits our shores.

The disgusting French plonk is no match for crafted British ale in the taste stakes. And we haven't forgotten that our Gallic cousins still ban British beef even though they're having their own BSE problems.

Although beef and beer day is Thursday, the Northallerton celebration happens on Wednesday, to coincide with market day.

Look out for free beef sandwiches and limited supplies of free beer.

u BLACK Dog Brewery from Whitby has fetched home a prize from the Middlesbrough Beer Festival. The poetically-named Rhatas beer (an hilarious anagram of brewery boss John Hartas's surname) was named the winning ale in the glamorous surroundings of the Town Hall Crypt.

u WHO Wants To Be A Gallonaire? is the latest concept in York pub quizzes.

It takes place at the North Street's nearly flood-affected First Hussar at 8.30pm on Tuesdays. How much beer do you win? The clue's in the question...