Reply With QuoteBox Tree in Ilkley? Only had lunch there but it was very good. I really rate San Carlo Flying Pizza but would't call it fine dining.
I've noticed a fair few locations of Leeds or nearby on here - so I was wanting some recommendations on good restaurants etc.
I work with someone who can 'get me in' at the Man Behind the Curtain, which has got long waiting times due to their Michelin Star. I'm also not sure on it, it seems complex and quirky for the sake of it. A few people have said its amazing, but I feel you have to think and say after forking out so much to go. Do you just convince yourself it was a great experience?!
If anyone here has been and recommends it too, I may look at it. But I'm trying to find a good 'fine dining' restaurant which Leeds just seem to lack at the moment. My wife always wants to go to the Flying Pizza but I want to show her that its over rated/priced. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it cant be the best on offer, surely!
So, Gentlemen, away with your suggestions please!
Box Tree in Ilkley? Only had lunch there but it was very good. I really rate San Carlo Flying Pizza but would't call it fine dining.
Sous le nez - job done
Mark C
Stockdales, not fine dining, but rather good.
Went there with Johnson & Johnson and they made us eat from a set menu which wasn't great. Never been as a paying customer. Never seems to get much press.Originally Posted by markc
I've always wanted to try Kendall's. And Stockdales is a steak place isn't it? It's on my list but the wife isn't a fan of the idea!
I'll second The Boxtree in Ilkley. Great place with fantastic food and truly professorial service. We went on a stealth mission as we were running a hotel and restaurant and we're impressed. So much so that we sent some ofriends our staff there to pick up some clues!
Fazenda in the centre of Leeds. If you like meat, the place to go. Great salads too. Keep us updated as to where you choose and what you thought.
The Man Behind the Curtain was interesting. Some of it good, most of it quirky, and one thing in particular killed it for me, a Tom Ford fragrance tobacco flavoured desert. It was a fun experience, but I wouldn't really care to go again.
The Box Tree is my favourite in the area. As we live in Ilkley, my wife and I go frequently. I've never had anything but excellent food and service there.
I only ever eat Indian food when eating out in Leeds...or anywhere else!
Aagrah is good, and I was impressed with the Shebab near the train station.
Paul
The curry house near the station is indeed good, and there is also a good Thai restaurant in the city centre- Sukothai. For fine food I take Mrs Draftsmann (a sturdy Yorkshirewoman) to London of course...
I don't rate Sukothai that highly, I think Chaophraya or Thai Edge (by the Millennium Square) are better.
Tappanyaki is also a fun experience. It's overpriced, but the food is good if you can get into the pantomime that comes with all Tappanyaki style places.
Also, I know the OP said the wife doesn't care for steakhouses, but I think Gaucho is always superb. My wife doesn't eat red meat, but loves going there as they always have superb vegetarian options. For me though, it's the best steak I've had in this area, and I've had many. I think there and the Box Tree are the only places in our area where I don't mind paying £60+ for a meal, as it never disappoints.
Last edited by adigra; 25th May 2016 at 22:35.
Better choices in Harrogate - but then I would say that!
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Salvo's at Headingley is good.
Balti King (formerly Nafees) is a very good curry house.
Nothing special to look at but the food is spot on.
She lived in Pannal for a while and would love to move to Harrogate soon. Both our boys were born there and we generally go there on a Sunday, so I don't mind suggestions for there too!Better choices in Harrogate - but then I would say that!
Well as a steak lover I'm quite happy with this list so far. I've only ever been to Sukhothai in Chapel Allerton and it's decent. I'm looking for something a bit better though. The Box Tree seems like the place to be going to
I dine out a lot in Leeds and it is indeed not endowed with lots of fine dining options. Personally, I find the Box Tree quite old fashioned and stuffy and haven't had particularly great service there though the food itself has always been good.
Depending on what you want there have been lots of good options already posted. My opinion would be go for Kendalls for great food, Gaucho for great steak and either the Restaurant Bar and Grill or the Crafthouse for a lively atmosphere. Cocktails at Angelica's beforehand has been a Leeds favourite since it opened.
Venturing into the suburbs then Salvo's in Headingley is great for Italian, especially the Salumeria on a Friday night for the regional tasting menu. I also rate the Olive Branch in Alwoodley (not the Street Lane branch) for Turkish/Greek. It's not fine dining but it is great food at a great price.
Love Fazenda but not really fine dining - fine buffet maybe
San Carlo and new to the scene Iberica .
Was in their Wakefield branch 2 weekend ago, let me put it this way Glasgow curries are better! Maybe the Leeds branch is better.
There is a place in Leeds called Zamzam. Went their twice very good food. Not your fancy posh restaurant but good honest food. For my friends in and around Leeds no night/day out in Leeds is complete without a meal in Zamzam!
Van Zeller in Harrogate if you want high end dining.
The West Park is nice also as is The White Hart.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
I've never heard of Van Zeller. I'll look it up!
Thanks for the ideas so far, Kendall's is still top of the list. Box Tree sounds intriguing - does it still have a star?
ZamZam is indeed a fine establishment but i never knew if the copious amounts of alcohol previously consumed clouded that judgment somewhat! The best curry I'd had was at a place called Aarti which was previously the old police station in Chapel Allerton. Its now a chinese I think
Oh, I didn't know Aarti was gone, but it has been many years that I was there. Fantastic food and one of the rare places which did dosas. Along with Akbar on Greek Street closing, that's both of my favourite Indian/Pakistani places now gone.
Box Tree has a single star.
It's been gone a while. I think they may have an Aarti down the road in Harehills though. It was made first Dosa there which made us think we'd found somewhere authentic.
There is an Aagraah 100m down the road in Chapel Allerton, but I didn't think it was up to much - style over substance
Yeah, my wife just told me that it closed a while ago. Time flies.
I lament the closing of James Martin's Leeds Kitchen in the Alea Casino. That was fantastic food! I am still to try his new place in Manchester.
Thank you for this thread, we've put a few places on the list to try.
If you're venturing to Ilkley, Bistro Saigon is fantastic. Vietnamese, obviously.
Also, the Drum and Monkey (Harrogate).
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
We were in the same state when we entered Zamzam as Douglas Adams said " A mild inability to stand up" But despite that good food.
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