Kendells Bistro

Kendells Bistro is a French inspired bistro in Leeds. I have visited Kendells on several occasions and from the outset will say right away that it is one of the two best city centre restaurants (along with Anthony's on Boar Lane).


The menu is presented on blackboards with the legend "sold out = fresh food" and yes the food is fresh and as the evening progresses you will see "sold out" written next to items on the boards. The menu changes fairly regularly due to the policy albeit with some staples such as their wonderful Gratin Lyonaisse, it also tends to feature more unusual French dishes such as squab pigeon, frogs' legs & even squirrel on occasion.


On our latest visit to Kendells we had:

Gratin Lyonaisse (French Onion Soup)

Foie Gras on Garlic Brioche with Green Bean Salad and Fig Chutney

Salmon and Asparagus

Côte de Boeuf (Rib Eye served with Duck Fat Potatoes and Béarnaise Sauce)

Crème brûlée

The Gratin Lyonaisse served at Kendells Bistro is second to none, the photograph may not look amazing, but the flavour, oh the flavour! I challenge anyone to find a French Onion soup this good outside of France, hell, maybe even inside of France!


The Pan Fried Foie Gras was delicious, perfect... I won't dwell on this as it is so divisive, other than to say if you enjoy it, here it is as good as anywhere.


The Salmon was my partners choice, again cooked brilliantly.


The Rib Eye was cooked beautifully medium rare as requested, a seriously beautiful piece of meat with a Béarnaise that Escoffier would have been proud of.


I don't eat dessert very often and the Crème brûlée was my girlfriends, I tasted it and would agree it was light and beautifully vanilla-y.


Really if you haven't visited Kendells, just go but just consider it might be wise to book in advance as it does get busy especially on a weekend. The food is wonderful, and I haven't even mentioned the atmosphere which is amazing, even slightly hedonistic. It's clear they haven't used a professional designer which gives it an eclectic feel and the owners' personal touch can be seen in all the bits and pieces and decorations, also I love all the funky candles in wine bottles.


A true local, independent restaurant which delivers something truly special (and they never under feed you!)




Kendells Bistro
Saint Peter's Square
Leeds
LS9 8AH
Tel: 0113 2436653


Web: www.kendellsbistro.co.uk
Twitter: @KendellsBistro

Piazza by Anthony

Piazza by Anthony in the historic Leeds Corn Exchange is a venue we visit for lunch on a semi-regular basis, they serve some very well executed dishes at a price that is more than reasonable for the quality of food on offer.


On our latest visit to the Piazza our meal consisted of:

Pancetta and Asparagus with Poached Egg and Hollandaise

Smoked Haddock and Pea Gnocchi

Moules Mariniere served with Bread from the Piazza bakery

The bread and finger bowl that accompanies the moules

A bottle of the house Sauvignon Blanc

Given the time of year I couldn't resist choosing the Asparagus starter and it didn't let me down, beautiful asparagus with a perfectly poached egg, hollandaise and pancetta is such a great combination and this was well executed.

My partner loves Gnocchi and had high praise for the smoked haddock and pea gnocchi served here.

For our mains we both had a large bowl of the moules mariniere, which I have visited Piazza specifically for on previous occasions, it is such a wonderful summery dish. To be quite truthful the intention was to not have starters, just a bowl of moules mariniere each with a bottle of wine to share, which in my mind on a day with some sunshine comes very close to the perfect lunch.

Piazza is fully deserving of it's Bib Gourmand, there is a lack of places serving the level of quality at the price point Piazza offers, one of the highlights of the Leeds dining out scene no doubt at all.

Piazza by Anthony
The Corn Exchange
Call Lane
Leeds
LS1 7BR

Telephone: 0113 2470995

Web: www.anthonysrestaurant.co.uk/piazza/
Twitter: @anthonysltd