Boring

I’m getting pretty bored of the food scene in Leeds, it’s probably my ignorance but there’s no where about at the moment that’s got me that excited to go. I still haven’t tried friends of ham partly down to my girl friend who says it’s just overpriced cured meats. But Friends of Ham apart there’s not anywhere I feel I’m really missing out on. Hopefully something might crop up in the new Trinity shopping centre set to open. Their website says the Trinity kitchen will be “Taking its cue from culinary trends emerging in major international food capitals, such as London, Paris and New York”, I really doubt this. I bet its just the same old mish mash of chain restaurants that’s in all the other big shopping centres, but kudos for trying something different. Apparently there having some form of street food as well? But it will be inside . . . hmmm. Crêpeaffair has signed up for a stall so at least my missus will be happy.

If anyone has any suggestions of exciting places around Leeds please let me know? I’m also back down in the capital in 10 days time and In need of inspiration

Here’s a quick list of places in Leeds I hope to tick off in the next few weeks:

• Fuji Hiro
• Safran
• Friends of Ham (once I’ve persuaded my other half its not so overpriced)

Now I’m all done whinging I’ll write up a review from the last time I went to Almost Famous in Manchester. OMFG yummy, I should be going back to Manchester one weekend soon just to go back to this place or there latest creation. . . .  more about that to come.

The Kiss of Death!!

Ironically after my last review of The Leeds Kitchen, it seems I have the kiss of death as the Alea casino is closing down along with the restaurants; The Leeds kitchen and The Bird by Vineet.

A statement was issued on the casinos website last night which read “London Clubs International, owners of Alea Leeds Casino (including Leeds Kitchen and The Bird by Vineet) regret to announce that the company will be suspending trading as of today. We have reluctantly taken this decision following continued difficult trading conditions at the Clarence Dock development.”

I’m a bit devastated about this if I’m being honest, partly because I just reviewed one of the restaurants last week and secondly because the food was bloody good in The Leeds kitchen.

When I visited the restaurant had plenty of people inside and I have a hunch it’s mainly the casino that’s been loosing business. I could be wrong though.

Anyway I’m sad  L , not only will I not be able to go this lovely restaurant anymore I’m also one giant bad omen for any venue in the food industry I review.

So watch you better watch out establishment owners, I’m coming for you!!!

Leeds Kitchen by James Martin

Whooop wooop, ever since my mum went on Ready Steady Cook with James Martin (yes that’s right my mum is officially a TV chef) she loved him so much it’s rubbed off on me. So naturally I was going to pay his fairly new (2 years old?) restaurant a visit.

Its situated in the Alea casino in Leeds, which is part of the Clarence dock development that bombed pretty badly during the recession, fortunately this place remains as one its redeeming features.

So the venue is nice looking and fairly small, I reckon it only seats about 40 people max? Apparently James was there the night before we dined, but he was definitely absent the evening we showed up, I promise you I checked. I was hoping for a little swoon as he walked by.

Both of us opted for the set menu of 5 courses and a glass of house wine for £30. Absolutely Spanking value! However this option is only available Monday to Thursday, 6-9pm. I think it’s been updated now to 6 courses for the same price, as if you needed another reason to go.

Now for a little confession, I did expect this place to be pretty average. I like Mr Martin and his cooking I’ve seen on the big screen, but I was expecting a much more rustic classic “Yorkshire grub” approach. Like really well done pub food, or that’s what I was expecting anyway. What I got was quite the opposite, a delicious meal of beautiful sophisticated food with impeccable service. .  .Oh except the waitress not giving me my change back, but it was smaller than the tip we would have left anyway, so we bolted.

I’m getting ahead of myself, on to the food.

First up was a amuse-bouche consisting of a tiny mug of delicious frothy thick creamy pea soup. Second course was some chicken liver parfait, creamy and morish but not enough bread to go with it.

 The fish course was the most beautiful little fillet of mackerel I’ve ever had with blood orange and micro coriander. This was seriously tasty and definitely the best course of the meal.

 The main was a trio of pork loin,  pork cheek and sausage roll. Yes the sausage roll made an appearance as if just to keep us grounded and remind us of where James Martin’s food loyalties lie. My rapture at the inclusion of a sausage roll was a rapidly brought back to earth when I realised it was just a sausage roll and didn’t taste much better than something I’d knocked up in my own kitchen. However the rest of the pork was perfectly cooked and the cheek was exceptionally tasty.

 By this point I was getting pretty full and it was time for desert. Dessert? I know a friend from university who wrote an entire exam answer about the prehistoric expansion of desserts in Northern Africa, ooops. Dessert was a chocolate mousse served with a berry compote. I thought it was ok but my partner liked it and to be honest dessert would have to contain some bacon for me to like it anyway.

That’s it done. All in 2 people £60, bargain if you ask me. I was really impressed with the cooking here, simple food done well, no bells and whistles required. So get yourself down to Clarence dock you wont find the same quantity or quality of food in Leeds for £30 anywhere else. :)

8.5/10

http://theleedskitchen.co.uk
Alea Casino,
Clarence Dock,
Leeds