The Lounge, Leeds

Occasion:                      Lunch

Party Size:                    3

Overall Rating:              *** Very Good

Date Visited:                 December 2012
Price Per Person:           £11.95 2 Courses £14.95 3 Courses

The Lounge is situated on Merrion Street, close to the St Johns Centre an ideal venue if you are looking for a pre-theatre meal as this bar/restaurant is just around the corner from The Grand.

The venue itself does get busy so I would recommend booking in advance even though they do have an additional upstairs seating area.

When we visited we were seated downstairs which was very cosy and modern, with black furniture and rich velvet seats in red, silver and black. The tables are set out like a restaurant, even though this very much still has the vibe of a pub/bar.

We visited in December so the menu was festive and reasonably priced with 2 options; £11.95 for 2 Courses or £14.95 for 3 courses including a glass of wine. A pretty good offer and the quality of the wine was surprisingly good with Red, White and Rose on offer.

The set menu had an option of 4 starters, 4 mains and 4 desserts, put simply the starters included Soup, Terrine, Prawn Cocktail or a Portabello Mushroom dish. Main options included Roast Turkey, Belly Pork, Salmon Fillet and a vegetarian Sweet Potato Cake. Dessert options included Christmas Pudding, Cheeseboard, Chocolate Tart or a Trifle.

For starters my friend had the Tiger & Greenland Prawn Cocktail served with Granny Smith apple and Marie Rose sauce. The portion was very good and well presented. The only disappointment was that the menu specified Tiger prawns which there were none just standard prawns. However, the dressed leaves were crisp and the dish tasty. (I have since returned and I can confirm 2nd time round it was Tiger prawns that were served) 

My other companion had the Portobello Mushroom with balsamic roasted shallots, toasted barley and chestnuts drizzled with a cranberry and satsuma dressing. Again this was well presented and the portion was ample. The mushroom was nicely cooked and the combination was unusual but very pleasant and a nice festive dish to start the meal.

I decided to start with the Pulled Pork & Chicken Terrine, served with an apple and red onion relish and plenty of crostinis. Again the portion was generous, the texture of the terrine was good, not smooth like a pate, you could see and taste both the chicken and the pork. It was very tasty and the sweet relish worked really well to bring out the flavour.

Given that the starters were more than adequate in size we expected the main courses to be small, however they turned out to be just as generous and again very nicely presented.

Between us we all chose a different dish, one of us having the Salmon Fillet with baby spinach, watercress, white wine and cream, shallot and tarragon sauce which was cooked perfectly and the sauce worked really well with the fish.

Another friend chose the 12hr braised Belly Pork, marinated red cabbage, cider jus and goose fat roasted potatoes. The quantity of the meat was good and well cooked with a plentiful amount of lovely braised red cabbage and a delicious sauce.

I decided on the Roast Turkey served with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and a lovely apricot and sage stuffing. The meat was tender, there was plenty of gravy to accompany the meal and the side vegetables were cooked perfectly.

All these main dishes came with potatoes, roasted parsnips and glazed carrots. There were plenty of vegetables for the table and it was refreshing to see these were not over or under cooked.

My only criticism would have been for the carrots to be trimmed, although they look pretty it's not the best to try and chase them round your plate to chop the tops off!

So then came desserts...

The Cheeseboard was good and presented well with celery, apple and grapes. There was enough crackers for the cheese selection but the range of cheese was pretty standard. It would have been nicer to see some stronger cheese as both the Brie and Cheddar were quite bland.

The Chocolate Tart, with raspberries, cream and blackcurrant chutney was lovely. It was very rich and definitely one that you could share. Not sure I would class the blackcurrant as a chutney though- more like a drizzle of sauce!

Overall this menu is a winner. It's festive, it's creative with a good selection of options. The value for money is outstanding along with the presentation and portions. No major complaints and I have since been back to experience the same standard throughout. Thumbs up!!

http://www.loungebarandgrill.com

 

The Calverley Arms, Pudsey, West Yorks

Occasion:                      Lunch

Party Size:                    2

Overall Rating:              *** Very Good

Date Visited:                 November 2012
Price Per Person:           £10.45 2 Courses

The Calverley Arms is a traditional pub located on Calverley Lane in Pudsey. This is a lovely pub set alongside an impressive landscape and with 2 private car parks and plenty of outside seating areas (ideal in the summer). This pub is part of the Vintage Inns chain which are renowned for their sunday lunches and ambient settings.

The Calverley Arms did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, the warmth from the roaring fires greeted us. The pub itself has a large bar selling a great selection of drinks, wines and bar snacks (crisps, pork crackling, nuts etc) The furnishings are classic with a great mix of neutral colours, earthy textures and wooden floors, and traditional carpets. This place keeps the rustic charm of a pub whilst being modern and welcoming at the same time.

The staff behind the bar served us quickly to say it was a Sunday and rather busy. We then went to the dining area expecting to wait for a table as we arrived at peak hours - 1.30pm but we were lucky to be seated straight away. The menu had a good selection of traditional classics; Burgers, Steaks, Pies, Fish and Chips etc with prices ranging from £9-£15 for mains. Starters again were traditional with dishes such as Breaded Garlic Mushrooms, Prawn Cocktail and Soup of the Day to name a few; these were priced from £4-5.

On a Sunday they do a lunchtime menu priced at £10.45 for x2 courses. This set menu was impressive with a selection of 4 starters, 5 mains and 4 desserts with 3 of the starters being suitable for vegetarians. However, the mains selection only had x1 vegetarian option.

We both ate from the lunchtime menu and both ordered the Beer Battered Mushrooms to start. These were served with a generous helping of garlic and parsley dip (mayonnaise). The mushrooms were fresh and well cooked, they were a decent size and the portion was ideal. The side dip was full of flavour – quite heavy on the garlic but it did go well with the mushrooms.

For my main course I went for the Sunday Roast – Turkey & Stuffing, this was well presented and served with fresh roasted parsnips, roast potatoes, carrots and a medley of peas, green beans and broad beans all of which were cooked perfectly and served with just the right amount of gravy. There was plenty of turkey, which was succulent. To compliment the turkey there was a good heap of stuffing and a good selection of vegetables. My only criticism was the Yorkshire Puddings were not the best I’ve had – they came out very uniform in shape and had the dry texture of those that are cooked from frozen, but even still they were ok and didn’t spoil the meal.

My friend had the Mushroom, Leek and Cashew Nut Suet Roly Poly (V) which was served with all the trimmings as mentioned above. The portion of the Roly Poly was just right – not too large and very tasty. For a vegetarian option it was good to see a different dish to the usual “Nut Roast” that tends to grace most menus.

Overall we were impressed with the ambience; the service was great and it was nice to order at the table rather than the bar. The food was well presented, cooked very well and perfectly sized. We could not fault the set menu as it was such good value for money. The Calverley Arms is ideal for those looking for a good country/traditional pub lunch. The menu would definitely appeal to all and the roasts come highly recommended.

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thecalverleyarmscalverley/

Azucar, Leeds

Occasion:                      Birthday

Party Size:                    16

Overall Rating:              *** Very Good

Date Visited:                 November 2012
Price Per Person:           £10.50 Set Menu

For a friends birthday it was decided we would go to Azucar for Tapas. I have been to Azucar a few times and loved the vibe, the quality of the food and service however; on my last visit it was very disappointing.  So keeping an open mind I was looking forward to putting Azucar to the test again.

On first impressions we were greeted by a friendly waitress and immediately shown to our table that was perfectly set up to accommodate our party. We were located along the back wall so we had the advantage of a booth and a long table. The venue itself is really relaxed, with warm terracotta walls, wooden furniture and soft red/orange lighting and tea lights on each of the tables casting a glow (hence why the photos are quite dark!) The restaurant was nice and warm and for a Friday night was fairly busy. You tend to find that people will visit Azucar not only to dine but partake in their cocktails! So it’s not too formal.

Azucar do a classic range or Tapas ranging from the usual Patatas Bravas, Tortilla, Calamari and Meatballs to bigger plates such as Burritos, Fajitas and Kebabs. Each tapas dish ranges from £4-£6.50 with main dishes costing around £8-£10 including sides. I would advise you book a table but before you make sure you check out the website for offers such as: 6 Tapas and a Bottle of Wine for £30, Set Menus at £15 and half price Tapas on Tuesdays. http://www.azucarbar.co.uk/pdfs/Azucar_Food_Menu.pdf

If you have a Pink Gorilla app then there is often deals on there which is where we managed to secure our offer of £10.50 for a set menu plus half a bottle of wine (red or white) per person.

This special menu included a good selection of Tapas and I must admit there was plenty for the table (equivalent to x3 tapas dishes per person):

Aceite Verde: Kalamata and Manzanilla Olives (green & black), nicely dressed in garlic and herbs – very flavoursome and good quality. It was nice to see them pitted to save any embarrassment of where to stack the stones.

Pan De Ajo: This warm garlic bread was fresh and the baguettes were ready sliced, ideal to dip in to the aioli and tapas sauces.

Tortilla Espanola: This was like a doorstop – good portion, lovely texture and tasty.

Albondigas: Beef meatballs were a good size, in a rich sauce, very good.

Calamares: This calamari was in a very light batter perfect to not detract from the flavour, cooked really well and served with aioli – my favourite dish out of them all.

Croquestas De Bacalao: These were quite big cod fishcakes – the most disappointing dish out of all the tapas as bland, didn’t look appealing I wouldn’t be surprised if they were straight from the freezer.

Chorizo Al Vino: This classic was great, plenty served and the Spanish sausage was in a Rioja and tomato sauce that complimented the natural spice and garlic flavour of the meat.

Jalapos: These Green Jalapenos came stuffed with cream cheese in a batter – good size but weren’t hot enough for me – but a general crowd pleaser.

Champinnones Al Ajillo: These were good sized mushrooms that were sautéed in garlic and parsley butter – a bit boring nothing special to be honest.

Patatas Bravas: Everyone’s favourite did not disappoint – nice spicy sauce, and well cooked potatoes.

Nachos: Big Portion, loaded with cheese, sour cream and salsa… I was too full to squeeze in but everyone else seemed to enjoy.

The half bottle of wine served per person was good quality, Sauvignon Blanc and a Malbec – again plenty for the table and no complaints.

Overall the service was excellent, the food tasty, the portions good and they even topped off the meal with a piece of cheesecake complete with a sparkler/firework for the birthday boy!

Pleasantly surprised, surpassed my expectations and I look forward to returning soon – definitely good value for money and ideal for group bookings with a relaxed vibe.

http://www.azucarbar.co.uk/

Akbar's, Bradford, West Yorks

Occasion:                      Dinner

Party Size:                    2

Overall Rating:              *** Average/Good

Date Visited:                 November 2012
Price Per Person:           £10 Main Course

Akbar’s is a chain specialising in South Asian and Classic Indian cuisine, with eateries located throughout the UK from Sheffield to Scotland. In West Yorkshire there are 4 Akbar’s and we visited the Bradford venue located on Leeds Road, which was the very first restaurant they opened back in 1995.

This venue is easy to find on the main street and has the advantage of a private car park directly opposite the restaurant for customers. Obviously Akbar’s is well known in the area so tends to get busy, I would therefore recommend you book a table.

We didn’t book on this occasion but they managed to seat us quickly as we were on a tight schedule to dine before going to the theatre. With this in mind they rallied round, located us in a pleasant booth towards the back of the restaurant and we were immediately served. The staff were accommodating, pleasant and very helpful. The waiters are assigned approx 4 tables each so you get a personable service which is prompt and exceeded our expectations.

The restaurant itself has a good ambience it is modern with dark fixtures and fittings and glass chandeliers and mirrors. Akbar’s is classy yet comfortable with leather seated booths situated across the back and dining tables in the centre. As it’s a busy restaurant there is lots of chatter from the other diners which is good as it means you can relax and natter away with your companion without being self conscious.

Between us we ordered some poppadoms and pickles a beer and a sparkling water. The poppadoms were fresh and as you would expect these were priced at a reasonable £0.65 each and served with a pickle tray at £1.00 that included a mint & yoghurt dip, tomato and onion salsa, a spicier lime chutney and the classic mango chutney. The drink choices were good with the usual selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks available. A small beer cost £3 and a sparkling water £2.

Although we did not order starters there was a good selection and they were reasonably priced between £3-5 and included the usual Pakoras, Onion Bhajis and Tikka through to Shami Kebabs and Calamari. For vegetarians there were 7 choices of vegetarian starters from Pakora’s to Pori and for main courses you would be happy with the 19 vegetarian dishes on offer – pretty impressive.

For our main courses we both ordered a main dish and a side of Pilau rice priced at £1.95, there was a good selection of other sides available ranging from Nan through to Pratta all sides were within the price of £1.50-3.00.

For my main course I had the Chicken & Chilli Balti priced at £7.45 and denoted on the menu as hot & fiery. The curry came in a traditional Balti dish and was well presented and garnished with fresh coriander, chillies and lemon. The consistency was nice and rich and it contained plenty of chicken although I was disappointed in the quality of the meat. The chicken appeared to be off the bone with the majority of the chicken pieces being the dark meat. If I had known (it wasn’t stated on the menu) I would have picked another dish as I prefer chicken breast. I always find it off putting when you order a chicken dish and the meat is brown. As for the sauce I was also disappointed as it was very tangy and acidic. There seemed to lack a depth of flavour and given the consistency I expected it to deliver a better flavour. However, it was hot and nicely spiced as stated.

My partner chose the Rogan Josh priced at £6.95 and this was definitely the better dish of the two. The lamb was plentiful and tender, the consistency was saucy and rich and the depth of flavour was tasty, no complaints on this dish.

Overall my thoughts on the quality and taste of the meal is split 50:50 the Balti wasn’t the best but the Rogan Josh was good, so given the excellent service and relaxed ambience I think it’s only fair to rate Akbar's as "good" as there are more positives than negatives and hopefully the Balti was a one off disappointment!

Akbar’s is an ideal place for a curry if you are in the Bradford area and you want a nice venue with efficient and excellent service. I’d need to revisit again though to be convinced on the standard/quality of food though.

http://www.akbars.co.uk/bradford

The White Swan, Leeds

Occasion:                      Lunch

Party Size:                    3

Overall Rating:              *** Very Good

Date Visited:                 October 2012
Price Per Person:           £6-£10 lunch

The White Swan is a Leeds Brewery pub adjoining the world famous Leeds City Varieties and tucked up an alley off Briggate in the city centre. This place is ideal for those looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy a spot of lunch. If you are shopping in Leeds this would be a great place to take a break. It’s ideal to meet up here with friends as the atmosphere is traditional, relaxed and yet contemporary at the same time.

The venue successfully mixes old and new features with a piano in the corner and origami birds hanging across the bar. It certainly has a relaxed vibe with wood flooring, cream and green walls and the furniture is traditional so expect dark wooden tables and chairs and high stools propped against the walls. The White Swan retains the charm of a local pub whilst at the same time appealing to all with its modern twist.

When I visited here on a weekend it as very busy so expect to have to wait for a table or try to avoid peak times unless you book a table in advance.

The White Swan’s menu is varied but definitely traditional, selling great pub food classics such as Fish and Chips, Burgers, Chilli and Steaks. The starter’s selection is quite limited with 4 or 5 to choose from - expect to pay an average of £4-6 for this course. Main meals are pretty standard in terms of pricing £8-10 and side dishes £3.50. They do a set menu here which would be ideal for those wanting to dine before visiting the variety club next door this is priced at 2 courses for £10.95 or 3 courses for £12.95 (note this is only served between 5pm-8pm)

For those looking for lunch then I recommend the doorstep sandwiches served between 12pm-5pm and priced at £5-6 with various options from a Fish Butty, Roast Beef, Crayfish tails and Hummus to name a few. The portions were generous and the bread was delicious, soft and fresh, sourced locally from an Otley bakery. You get to choose from white or granary bloomer or a soft tortilla wrap and each sandwich is accompanied by a generous helping of hand cut chips and a side salad all of which was cooked perfectly and well presented so no complaints at our table. The menu does change here but it always tends to lean towards the classics which suit most people’s preferences so a good crowd pleaser.

Obviously this is not a restaurant so expect to find a seat and then place your order at the bar. The staff here are friendly and accommodating, efficiently taking our order. The wait on food was reasonable and surprisingly good to say that every table was taken, so very well organised. If you like your traditional beers then you’ll find plenty on offer here with a wide selection of drinks available.

I think this a charming pub that would be a safe place to go with anyone as the menu is varied yet traditional. It’s not pretentious and has a relaxed ambience meaning it’s a great venue to meet up with friends or family where you can actually talk without being drowned out by music.

http://www.whiteswanleeds.co.uk/

REDS True Barbeque, Leeds

Occasion:                      Night out

Party Size:                    5

Overall Rating:              ***** Excellent

Date Visited:                 October 2012
Price Per Person:           £8-£25+ ppn 1 course plus Drinks

Reds True Barbeque is located on Cloth Hall Street opposite the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre. This place is going down a storm in Leeds with a strong reputation for outstanding food being cast on Facebook and Twitter.

I have been trying to get in here for several weeks since it opened in September 2012. At present the restaurant is proving so popular (even amongst celebrities, with Jimmy Carr being spotted dining here on the 13^th October) Reds are only taking bookings for large groups. So if you turn up at 7pm the chances are you will have to go back at 9.00pm when a table becomes free. The staff however, are coping with the demand well, we dropped in added our name to the waiting list and they gave us a call the minute a table became available. This worked well for us on a Friday night as we took advantage of having a few drinks on Call Lane.

So if you don’t know anything about Reds then their home page pretty much sums it up:

 “Like a lightning bolt from the heavens it dawned on Red. The people of this island knew nothing of True Barbecue….

Of prime cuts, smoked low n’ slow, infused with flavour, dripping with taste. The people were ignorant of glazes and rubs so mouth-wateringly glorious that they made angels weep with joy. They had been cursed with a plague of bad sausage, bog-standard burger and rodent-sized ribs.

Red knew that the people must be saved. He swore that no rib, sausage, breast nor burger would be cremated in his name. The people of Britain must be led to the light by a true saviour. Let there be Meat. Let there be flavour. Let there be Red’s. Feast and be thankful. Red will save you from the evils inflicted on your gentle souls. True Barbecue is here.

At Red’s we don’t commit the sins of less holy eateries. Red prepares your meat way in advance of it reaching your plate, giving it time to soak up the rich flavours of our trademark blend of rubs and marinades for no less than 24 hours. Then, it’s cooked low n’ slow – for up to 18 hours – over Hickory and fruit woods inside our custom Oklahoman smokers. Then we’ll add the best sauces and sides your tongue will touch and serve them to you, our faithful flock.

Our cooking has its roots in the deep south, but our food and ingredients are sourced from Yorkshire, God’s country. World-class quality, locally sourced”

So the target audience is lovers of meat, if you are a vegetarian I’m not sure this place would appeal but it is worth checking the menu as they do some fabulous sides such as macaroni cheese, sweet potato fries, cornbread, BBQ rice, and deep fried prickles to name a few.

The venue itself is fairly big with a buzzing atmosphere, the low lighting and candles on each of the tables cast a subtle glow creating a relaxed and informal ambience. There is lots of charm to this place with rustic beams, solid wood features and exposed brick walls. Reds is ideal for groups as the tables are large solid wood benches but bear in mind if you are a small group then you could get other diners placed at the same table as yourself. However, the vibrant atmosphere detracts enough that your conversations will get lost in the buzz still creating privacy for your party.

The kitchen area is central to the restaurant so you see the hustle and bustle and the turnover at the pass. The smells surrounding this place are amazing and every time we saw the food being taken to tables we were literally drooling in anticipation. The staff were attentive and managed the tables well to say how busy Reds were. It was refreshing to see the chefs all smiling and bantering as they worked, adding to the informal vibe of the place. The background music was impressive and after speaking to the Manager we realised he had mixed the playlist himself to include a mix of old and new, with bands such as the Black Keys thrown in.

The menu had a wide choice so much so I just went with the first thing that sounded good! The range of options means I have to go back and work through the other dishes. The price range was very varied for the meals so literally it covers all budgets ranging from £8-£25+ per person.

As a group we just had main courses. A couple of us had the pulled pork priced at £8.95 which included skin on fries, fresh coleslaw and a side option e.g. rice, cornbread, macaroni cheese etc. The meat was so tender, juicy and flavoursome. The crackling complimented it perfectly and the amount of meat you got was very surprising.

If you get the Bucket of Bones at approx £20 then good luck! It is literally a dustbin loaded with ribs and as Reds claim on their home page these are definitely NOT rodent-sized ribs! Plus you get your sides as well so you could easily share this. All of our party tasted the ribs and we all agreed they were amazing.

The Pit Burger was another option a friend tried priced at around £15 and this was impressive and served with a giant onion ring and loaded with pulled pork. If you enjoy burgers you won’t be disappointed with this version it’s substantial so you may want to strip away the bread and just go for the meat. In fact the portions here are generous across the board and we left with a couple of takeout boxes. (Point to note though if you do a takeout box remove the paper lining – I found this went soggy and broke up amongst my left over’s!)

On the table Reds have a rack of sauces including Hot and Spicy, BBQ, South Carolina and classics such as Ketchup to compliment the dishes, the South Carolina was particularly good.

Reds do a great selection of beverages, and alongside each dish on the menu they pair the dishes with a suggested drink such as American beers. A friend had the Apple Martini priced at the usual prices you would expect to pay in Leeds £6/7 which tasted good and was well presented.

So with all reviews I have to be constructive so my only gripe with this place was that my meal only came with a fork and no knife so I had to get up and get my own. And the waitress gave my order to someone else within the group who had already started eating. When I pointed this out she said “just swap”. Even though we tried to reiterate that he had already started eating it - she looked perplexed like she couldn’t see the problem! Anyway as she was not going to replace the meal we agreed to just have each others order. So that was a little disappointing.

In summary, if you are a lover of food then I recommend this place. If you are a lover of pulled pork I recommend this place. If you are a lover of ribs then yep I recommend this place. They deliver in what they say – excellent quality meat, cooked perfectly and full of flavour. As my friends quoted:

Sadie Parker “I loved it, informal, delicious, honest food with a buzzing atmosphere!!”

Anthony Richardson “I have travelled around the world. And for the first time England has given me the best type of food I have ever eaten. Today, I make the following claim: Reds BBQ in Leeds makes the best ribs I have EVER had the privilege of eating. Period.”

One final word to sum this place up AWESOME!

http://truebarbecue.com/