Restaurants and stuff

went to Paprika Lounge at Heaton the other night. terrific fayre, as always

 

We like to park up at Kirkstall and walk along the canal into Leeds on a Sunday, this is good as it moderates my alcohol intake. Today we visited the street food market where we had some sort of grilled veg pastry.............later another trip to https://www.ibericarestaurants.com/restaurants/iberica-leeds/ was decided.

Not that hungry we visited the bar not the upper dining room, both are superbly lit and furnished. The staff pissed me off just like last time, I am ok with being asked if it's my "first time", yeah like I eat chips 24/7.......... but if I answer in Spanish take it on board, don't keep banging on like I am some friggin dunderhead.

Anyway...........MrsAbbo cheered me up (not) by ordering a glass of Alborino at £7.50...........I had a pint of Mahou that was I think about a fiver. We only had 2 dishes, Padron peppers and some patatas bravas. Last time the peppers were about 2 mouthfuls for £6, this time they were at least 3x more and just like last time utterly gorgeous. The patatas bravas were soft and fine.

Now I was in a reet good mood, the setting was good, it was warm, my beer cold, the food great and just when I thought life couldn't get any better, a screen slowly dropped from the ceiling for the Liverpool derby, that was a surprise, the last place I'd have expected to watch football.

The bill, 2 drinks, 2 snacks, £24. That is wildly expensive by Wetherspoons standards, or Bradford standards. But I thought about it and it was living like king for an hour or so................for £25, great value. I'd encourage anybody to go there, you don't even have to have food, the lower bar is great.

 

Not restaurants as such, but we had an afternoon around Leeds last week & decided to do the canal side rather than town centre proper.

Started at Water Lane Boathouse where a pint of Guinness was a fiver. Excellent swill, at least that's what I told myself to counter the cost.

From there to the Midnight Bell (Leeds Brewery pub) and the Cross Keys, and then to the Northern Monk tap room. Sparse and minimal but good beer.

Next up, The Grove Inn. Old school boozer. From there back towards the station: Brewery Tap & Tapped.

A very pleasant afternoon was had, and it's always nice to get a change of scenery, but I don't think the pubs were "better" overall than what we have in Bratfud. Just busier.

We met at 12 and by 1.30 those first 3 pubs were pretty full. The last two, probably between 6pm-8pm, were rammed.

 

I work in bridgewater place across the road from the above. Thought the Guinness was atrocious and as you say it was a fiver. I like the Grove more than the boathouse. More to my taste. Works night out on Thursday so will feedback if I found any hidden gems as I don't frequent Leeds much apart from work. Like you said I don't think the bars are any better that's why I don't go to Leeds as much as I used to. Bradford closer to home and don't have to worry about that last train and can stay until last orders.

 

I'd disagree there.

If you are comparing regular pubs and "new " bars then I'd agree. The bars on North Parade are as good/similar as "new" bars in Leeds, it seems to be a pretty generic fit out after all. The Bank and say City Vaults in Bradford are pretty much the same as The Ship & The Angel in Leeds, Shoulder of Mutton/Boy & Barrel = General Elliot/Three Legs?

But there are two areas where Bradford has nothing in comparison. Leeds still has it's soul, institutions like The Adelphi, The Victoria Hotel, Whitelocks etc Places where yesterday, entire families were in (eating/drinking) enjoying themselves, Bradford has nothing like those places. The other area, is "wanna be seen" places, the entire Greek St being an example or around the Grand Arcade, again, nothing like in Bradford.

 

I'd say the bars on North Parade are similar to places like Tapped, Brewery Tap but nothing like places like Alchemist, Botanist etc.

Sunbridge Wells 'could' have been the seen in places in Bradford but unfortunately it isn't.

 

Where’s these places to ‘be seen’ again?

Sounds like these are the places I should avoid.

 

Not my choice either but they have an unyielding pull for many, every successful nightlife location needs them. I'd wager that Greek St's bars alone take more on a Saturday night that all of Bradford's do in a month.

 

Definitely. Some of them, like a lot of these types of bars in any big city, attract a certain crowd and they are charged accordingly lol. Some of them are decent, some of them are ridiculous.

 

It is over 10 years since I last went out in Bradford centre, might be nearer 20. Are there any serious restaurants in the city centre nowadays?

 

Nope.

 

Nandos is still there.

 

I trust you showed suitable self control......or are you still.full?

 

Ate at Ricci's Place in Halifax last night. Busy, nice looking spot, scran a let down.

 

Why?

Getting spoilt with good quality pizzas in Leeds lately, today Pasta Romana was full so me & my daughter got the last seats in Tapped.

The bar kid was ace, I ordered my daughters veggie Pizza and he asked "Veggie or Vegan".... on the ball.......I ordered a beer that had run out (place was rammed) so he recommended similar which was very good. I asked for a glass of water as that is all my daughter drinks, many places have staff that get pissed at this request and deliver it begrudgingly, not this kid, he made an effort, big glass, tap water, ice cubes, slice of lemon on top, it's little things like that that you remember.

The "wacky" descriptions are well lame IMO but we both thought the pizzas were excellent, 2 pizzas &1 pint about £24 I think....

Daughter:-I Can’t Believe It’s Not Doner (v)(ve*)
£4.75 / £9.75 / £19.50 Mozzarella, Seitan Doner, Red Onion, Jalapeños, Mixed Peppers, Red Cabbage, Sliced Gherkins, Vegan Garlic Sauce

Me:-Anchovy
£4.75 / £9.75 / £19.50 Mozzarella, Rosemary Marinated Anchovies, Black Olives & Fresh Chillies

 

Ricci's Place, Halifax: https://wp.me/p3Rnlb-6Z3

Re Tapped, it's grown on me. Busy place and i hate the tv showing images of the menu but our visit a couple of Fridays ago felt nicely after-work pubby. Loud and bustly in a good way. The snack size pizzas are a great idea too with a few beers.

 

Ricci's Place, Halifax, review.

I hope Bobby de Niro had a better meal.

https://wp.me/p3Rnlb-6Z3

 

Went with friends for a pre Christmas celebration to The Box Tree in Ilkley. Have eaten there twice before, but both times as guests at a 'do'. This time we were paying and eating off the standard menu.
I enjoyed the food very much, although I am bound to say the portions were on the small side - but they always seem to be in Michelin type places. Mind you I am a greedy person. I had lobster and confit chicken leg for starter, venison for main and apricot souffle for pud. The apricot souffle with confit apricot was superb. The service was excellent but not in any way stuffy.
Our menu was £70 a head, including several canapes, an amuse bouche plus 3 courses. Coffee and service on top of that. Our total bill came to £128 per person plus tip on top, but that included a goodly amount of booze.
I think their loos need a refurbishment though. They looked tatty with chipped paintwork and the water pressure in the ladies was so low it was hard to wash your hands properly. If they want to recover the Michelin star they mislaid in October, this is one thing that needs attention.