Tag: Things to do in Yorkshire

Dinner at Ivy Leeds: Review

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Dinner at Ivy Leeds

Recently, I was lucky enough to complete the Yorkshire Ivy trifecta, with an invite to sample the menu at the elegant Ivy Leeds, in the City Centre’s Victoria Quarter.

The Ivy Victoria Quarter Leeds

Having previously dined at The Ivy York and The Ivy Harrogate, I was excited to see how the Leeds branch would compare, and it completely lived up to the high-class service, food and decor which I’ve come to expect at all Ivy restaurants, having had a wonderful experience each time.

Food Menu at the Ivy Leeds

The food menu at the Ivy Leeds is the same as that in both York and Harrogate, with a varied selection of classic dishes – such as pastas, chicken, steak, fish, burgers and more, served with an extra special je nai sai quoi.

To start I opted for the crispy duck salad, which was very unique featuring watermelon and cashew nuts, topped with delicious Chinese-inspired crispy duck pieces – yum yum!

Creme Brulee at Ivy Leeds
Dinner at Ivy Leeds

For main, I went for the fishcake sat atop a bed of mushy peas and completed with a perfectly runny poached egg on top. A good runny egg is always the marker of a top notch eatery in my eyes!

My friend also started with the duck salad, and chose the roast chicken for main, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Of course, we couldn’t resist ordering a mahoosive plate of courgette fries on the side too!

Dinner at Ivy Leeds
Look how perfectly runny that egg is!!

For dessert I went for my usual favourite Creme Brulee, while my friend chose the signature chocolate bomb which is not only a chocoholic’s dream, but is also a visual spectacle as the bomb melts when you pour over the hot sauce – definitely one for your Instagram!

Cocktail Menu at the Ivy Leeds

As well as the yummy food on offer, the Ivy is also known for its exciting cocktail menu, and if you’re enjoying a slap-up meal here it would be rude really not to have a cocktail.

Well, that’s what we told ourselves anyways as we both sipped our Ivy Royales – the restaurant’s unique take on the Chambord Royale, incorporating gin, vermouth and hibiscus & rosewater sloe juice.

Cocktails at Ivy Leeds

Other cocktails include a Candy Floss Fizz, a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini and the locally inspired Kirkstall Cosmo and Rounday Gardens.

The Extra Special Touches

Now, let’s be honest – The Ivy is not the cheapest restaurant you are going to find in Leeds, most definitely not. It is reasonably highly-priced, but the cost is not only reflective of the quality of the food but also the extra-special touches such as the attentive service which makes you feel like a proper VIP for the night, or the stunning floral and grand art deco interiors which create the perfect setting for a special occasion.

That is exactly what The Ivy offers, somewhere truly extra special to enjoy for a celebration or special treat. It is certainly somewhere I’ll be planning to take my friends and family when they come down to visit me in Leeds, though with a new Ivy restaurant now set to open in Glasgow they might even beat me to it.

Fine Dining at The Ivy York

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Ivy york tea

In recent years, the iconic London restaurant The Ivy, has been branching out across the UK, and luckily for us Yorkshire-based folk the county has seen a large portion of the new openings popping up right on our doorstep.

There is now an Ivy restaurant in York, Leeds and Harrogate.

Inside Ivy Harrogate
The Ivy Harrogate

Having previously visited the Ivy in Harrogate last summer, I was absolutely delighted to be invited along for dinner at the Ivy in York as part of the York Literature Festival, a few weeks ago.

Jill Dawson at the Ivy York

Set menu at Ivy York
The Language of Birds

As part of the York Lit Fest, the Ivy York hosted a fabulous night with author Jill Dawson, which included a 3-course meal alongside a Q&A with Jill and a reading from her latest book The Language of Birds.

If Im being honest, the offer of a 3-course meal was which first peaked my interest in the event, but the talk with Jill was truly fascinating too. She provided some very interesting insight into her writing processes and inspiration, and I’m now very much looking forward to getting stuck into her latest novel which is based on the scandalous Lord Lucan mystery – the perfect read if you’re always binging the latest crime docs on Netflix.

The Ivy York Restaurant

Private Dining Room at Ivy York
Private Dining Room at ivy York

Of course, the highlight of the night was the incredible setting of The Ivy and the top-quality food which was on offer.

As well as the Ivy’s menu, the restaurant is famed for its elaborate stylings, with floral decor, intricate  patterns and grand furnishings adorning the venue.

I’d previously visited the bar area of York’s Ivy, and this time I was thrilled to get a sneaky peek inside of the restaurant’s private dining room, where the event was held.

The private room would also be the perfect choice for any special birthdays or other celebrations, I’ve already added it to my list for any future party planning!

Food at the Ivy

Having previously dined at the Ivy in Harrogate, and being seriously impressed by the food I was very excited to sample more of the menu.

Tempura prawns at Ivy Harrogate
Crab linguine at Ivy Harrogate

Prior to my first visit to the Ivy I did worry whether the much-hyped restaurant would live up to expectations, and it actually exceeded them. On my first visit to the Ivy I had the tempura prawn starter and the crab linguine pasta, and can highly recommend both.

This time, we were served with a set menu which included some of the Ivy’s most classic dishes:

-Bang bang chicken to start

-Shepherd’s pie main

-Crème brûlée for dessert

Crème brûlée is my favourite dessert so I was already in my happy place as soon as I read the menu.

Bang bang Chicken at Ivy York
Bang bang chicken
Shepherd's pie at The Ivy York
Shepherd’s pie
Crème brûlée at Ivy York
Crème brûlée

The highlight of the meal for me though was the bang bang chicken starter, which is a dish I most likely wouldn’t have chosen myself but very much enjoyed. The shepherd’s pie was also delicious – totally hearty and comforting, just as you want from a traditional dish like this.

The other star of the show was the incredible homemade bread which we were served on the side, which was extremely soft and flavourful with just a small hint of salt to enhance the taste.

There is also an impressive cocktail menu – try the strawberry spritz – and the restaurant also serve their very own brand of beer.

Cocktails and beer at The Ivy
Cocktails and beer at The Ivy

If you’re considering dining at one of the Ivy’s new Yorkshire venues, I certainly recommend it for the food, the setting, and just that extra-special experience.

And make sure to keep your eyes peeled for any events too, for something a little bit different!