#24 Visiting the Midnight Bell – A Leeds Brewery gastro pub serving up British classics in the heart of Leeds South Bank.





It was around 5.30pm when I stepped off the train last week - immediately greeted by Leeds usual charm – the platforms were busy as people gathered whilst others piled off trains to head out for the evening. I walked away from the crowds and the station and onto the building frenzy that is becoming the newly developed South Bank. Its an exciting time for Leeds to see this part of the city flourish with a buzz of things to come. Tonight I was heading to the heart of this newly developing urban village where old meets new. Industrial times are well remembered in these parts and buildings not being built keep a firm grip on how Leeds once was. One such place and where I was heading this evening was gastro pub and Leeds Brewery owned, the Midnight Bell. With a contemporary feel set alongside traditional brickwork and wooden beams – Leeds Brewery have done an excellent job in making the Midnight Bell a place to stop by, have a pint and enjoy well cooked food. Guest ales, bitters and bottles are all in good supply. The Midnight Bell was busy yet I was greeted with a generous welcome and found myself quickly being served. Tonight we enjoyed Indian pale and hand pulled, Monsoon.


The team at Midnight Bell are serving up British classics using the finest ingredients – we are talking hearty food that is freshly prepared. The menu is made up of starters, mains and desserts and all typical pub food is covered here – from Leeds Best battered haddock, with hand cut chips and pea puree to a towering Yorkshire Dales steak burger, with smoked streaky bacon, mature cheddar and relish. It was at this point, like many times before it, that I was quickly spoilt for choice. After some deliberation I settled on a chicken liver pâté, with pink peppercorn butter and sea salt served with a rosemary focaccia toast. It tasted really good – this was followed by main course of a traditional and proper steak and red wine pie, with creamy mashed potato and buttered vegetables. It was a tough call to squeeze anymore but it was impossible to turn down the sweet and decorated chocolate and orange tart with vanilla ice cream and berries. The Midnight Bell also offers a separate lunch and Sunday lunch menu and on top of this are hosting events in their courtyard throughout the summer.



We finished up our meal and made our way downstairs. We ordered another pint and headed to the decked seating outside. The courtyard space here is an ideal sun trap for BBQ events and larger groups gathering in the Leeds sunshine. In fact, the sun was still out as we finished up this evening. We headed back inside, through to the bar area and said our goodbyes. The Midnight Bell had been an excellent visit. If it is British classic gastro style food and drink you are after in traditional yet 
contemporary surroundings, then the Midnight Bell will not disappoint.


For more on the midnight Bell, visit their website at http://www.midnightbell.co.uk/



















Popular posts from this blog

#21 Expect glitz and glamour at the brilliant Dakota Deluxe this holiday season.

Image
The festive season raised its head last week as we were invited to try out the outstanding new menus being offered at Dakota Deluxe in Leeds.
With a five star rating on Trip Advisor and ranked as the best hotel in Leeds, it is fair to say when we were asked to visit last week to try out their seasonal menus, we were quick with our reply. Dakota Deluxe offers an elegance hard to find elsewhere in Leeds. Guests are welcomed in style with an interior that sets a sophisticated tone. Having visited before, it is quite clear that Dakota Deluxe is a place which means business whilst also providing a backdrop for those who want to kick back, relax and enjoy an excellent experience in fine food and drink.


It is worth mentioning at this point that Dakota Deluxe is part of a small group of exclusive hotels which command exceptional standards. Floor to ceiling windows for example in the 'Boardroom' make the perfect backdrop for corporate events. Similarly, expect a dedicated events team to …
Read more

#23 Live Life More Italian - with a visit to the new city centre LIVINItaly Dough House

Image
LIVINItaly has long been seen as Leeds go to authentic independent Italian for those craving the best in pizza dough and that easy laid back Mediterranean atmosphere we all crave. In fact, LIVINItaly on Granary Wharf is almost its own little Italy with a sun trap which on the right day could have you believe you were in down town Rome or the Venice canals. Ok – I maybe getting ahead of myself rethinking Leeds has somehow transformed into our continental cousin but one thing is for certain - LIVINItaly does things really well – from their fresh food to brown bottled imported ales – it is hard not to be impressed with their stamp of authentic Italy firmly on Yorkshire. As if this slice of heaven on Granary Wharf wasn’t enough, the family behind LIVINItaly have opened up Leeds city centre Dough House. Located on Cloth Hall Street near to the corn exchange, Dough House is ultra chic, super trendy and typically Italian.


Their menu arrives as newspaper taking you through headline reads cover…
Read more

#22 Making a big deal out of small plates – simply put, Black Market are serving up flavours which are unquestionably some of the best in our region.

Image
Write up by Paul @fatfoodclub

We headed down last Saturday to meet owners head chef John, business manager Justina and their four-month-old Black Market restaurant. Taking on a grade 2 listed renovation challenge and being told the job would be complete in 12 weeks, it wasn’t until September last year and six agonising months later when the first guests to Black Market arrived through the door. The wait had been worth it - Black Market is small, bright, modern, chic and every other word imaginable to describe a cool and trendy independent eatery in the heart of Chapel Allerton, Leeds. The look and feel tick every box, but it is the food which makes Black Market stand out as one of the most exciting places we have visited in a long time.


Without labelling its food, John and Justina are open about what they want Black Market to achieve. They are humble about its early success. They are taking small steps each day and appreciate every success which comes their way. ‘We didn’t want to l…
Read more