Restaurants and stuff

El Asador steakhouse opening this thursday in Birkenshaw, where the Grand Cru was. going on saturday hopefully the food will match the standard of the grand cru. new owners are honouring all gift vouchers that the old owners sold before going bust which is good plus 15% off all meals in october

 

so we went to the EL Asador last night the food was easily as good as the Grand Cru but the service has to be improved we were a table of 6 and each drink was delivered to our table individually but was also spread over 10 to 15 minutes from 1st drink to last and that didnt change with the food also taking an age to bring with each course. it certainly doesnt help with age of the waiting staff most seemed to be about 17/18 years old with the 17 year olds apparently not being able to take alcohol orders hopefully the owners get some experienced staff in because just about every table was complaining about the service even when we asked for the bill they took 40 mins to brink it to us, will try again but will probably leave it a couple of months hopefully they will then get the service up to speed by then

 

We went to Ambiente in Leeds again. This time for a special event, a 5 course tapas tasting menu with paired wines. The wines were all from the Bodegas Leza Garcia.
Sergio Leza Ruiz from the family who made the wines was there to talk about them.
The food, the wine and the service were all fantastic. I am not usually a fan of tasting menus but the food was plentiful and so was the wine and the quality was excellent.
We only just made it on time, we had to get a taxi as Northern Rail cancelled our train.

 

I just remembered that I didn't fill you in on the places I was asking about when me and my lad came over for the terriers game.

Sons first experience of Bradford nightlife was a quick pint just before closing in the first pub we passed when coming from the station. Can't remember the name of it - is it the Queens? Full on karoke going on and people sleeping at the bar. Pint of Stella for 3,50. Looks the sort of place to avoid on a weekend.

Breakfast the following morning, after looking for a few greasy spoons but couldn't find any, turned out to the ever dependable Wetherspoons on the square. The boy couldn't believe how many people were boozing at breakfast. In the evening we went to the Record Cafe and the Corn Dolly. From the Dolly we walked Lumb lane to the Sweet Centre for a curry. Huge portions each, not bad but lacking something. I had the Jalfrezi and it was missing quite a bit of taste. Big naans which were nice. Friday night and we were the only customers in there at 9pm.

Following morning was match day. Again the lad couldn't believe all the pubs were full at 10am. The intention was to get a fry up at the City Vaults, but that was absolutely rammed. Ended up getting a sausage and egg sandwich from from a van parked down the road from the Vaults. It was excellent at 4 quid and just what was needed. Walked up the hill and over to North Parade which was packed out, so we continued onto the Estonian Club for a few pre match beers. In the ground the boy had a curry pie which he enjoyed. After the game, full of jubilation, we took the long walk to the Fighting *@?$. Several excellent beers. Walked back to the hotel, the boy went for a nap and I continued up to the Boar and Fable, Record Cafe, Corn Dolly and Jacobs Well. Met the boy outside the Karachi, but we couldn't eat because its cash only and we didn't have any. Went onwards to the International, and had to wait half an hour for a table. Food came quickly, and was a similar affair to the Sweet Centre - loads of food, very meaty and a little bit bland. Was starting to think that Bradford has its own style of curry, which is quite a bit different to what I'm used to - lots of chopped chicken pieces rather than hunks of meat. Good value though in both places.

Next morning was Wetherspoons again for breakfast, and then on the way to the station at lunchtime we popped to the fish and chip shop for some proper Yorkshire fish and chips (the in plaice), but unfortunately it was closed on Sundays. Wanted to compare it to the fish and chips we had in Shoreditch which cost us 28 quid for haddock and chips. We went to Darley Street market and had a smash burger upstairs which was decent but 13 pounds.

All in all a few enjoyable days. No trouble at all despite all the youtube videos showing sketchy characters in the city centre. Friendly people in the pubs which I was happy to see were all busy. Next time we're over will bring some cash for the Karachi, and will try the big kebab place on Manningham Lane just down from the ground. Will also find a decent chippy on Friday night.

 

My experience is that chicken curries locally can be very variable. Lamb is always the better option IMHO.

 

Karela Gosht from the Rajput in Shipley is my number one curry!

 

“Queens? Full on karoke going on and people sleeping at the bar. Pint of Stella for 3,50. Looks the sort of place to avoid on a weekend”

Good review but this bit made me laugh out loud

 

Only weekends?

 

2nd Wife, Lilycroft Road - garish but decent.

 

Was alright on a Thursday night, but can imagine it’s a bit “lively” on a Friday and Saturday night.
Out of interest, what’s the so called “hardest pub in Bradford”?

 

I would imagine most pubs in the housing estates around the City would qualify, if any are left open nowadays.
Away pool games at the Holmewood Bound back in the day were always a bit hairy.

 

This is definitely a thing. I saw a fella who writes a lot about curry refer to it as 'the Bradford cut'.