Complimentary menu tasting
Tucked out of the centre is a Leeds mainstay. The Midnight Bell is a Leeds Brewery pub, book-ending Water Lane with good beer, a great beer garden and a rejuvenated menu ready for the tasting.
The signage has just had a refresh to pay homage to its roots, lined up on a string of red brick buildings, I tucked myself inside for an evening of pub grub, done well. Despite being in the centre of Leeds' next biggest renovation, stepping inside gives you a touch of tradition. Cosy corners to tuck yourself into, log fires to take advantage of come colder weather and once the sunshine hits, the perfect beer garden to soak up the rays.
The Midnight Bell has always had good pub grub - the usual suspects; fish & chips, burgers, pies - but the new menu has added a gastro flair and introduced some fresh dishes for something a little different. Being treated to a three course tasting, I ordered particularly well from the new menu and I'm excited to show off the dishes. Knives and forks at the ready.
Drinks taken care off - seeing as it's spring, I'm on the rose hype for the forseeable future - let's get the food started.
Mozzarella and tomato salad - actually, a burrata with heirloom tomatoes. An enhanced version of what's on the menu, so incredibly fresh, sprinkled with olives and a basil emulsion.
Grilled red pepper puff pasty tart - a mountain of salad with a crumbly pastry tart on top. The pastry soaked up some of the salad dressing, but the combination of textures from the salad and fresh veg made up for it. Another fresh dish that was full of flavour for such a light serve.
Creme brulee with homemade shortbread - alas, that satisfying crack wasn't there but underneath that thin sheet of sugar, there was a deliciously moreish dessert. Good shortbread, but not essential.
Saving the best until last, the strawberry & Pimm's Eton mess - holy freshness! Crumbled meringue with deliciously sweet strawberries and a sweet berry sauce drizzled over. I would go back just for this.
For a summer-like evening, this was the perfect menu for me. Fresh, flavoursome and a logical step by step.
For beer, good food, or an excellent beer garden in Leeds, there are a few boxes being ticked by The Midnight Bell.
Why don't you stick around...
