Located within the historic, art-filled Elmbank Hotel that overlooks York’s leafy Knavesmire, Leetham’s Brasserie is a local gem. Recently refurbished and now offering a delicious new Sunday Lunch menu, Leetham’s has been on our foodie radar for a while. Never one to turn down a roast (or food for that matter), we hear from our writer, Emily, who was lucky enough to try it out:
Heading into the restaurant, a historic hall setting, there are already some diners enjoying a delightful afternoon tea. This feels like the type of place you’d take the in-laws for a relaxed lunch – sophisticated but not overly so. A friendly front-of-house member takes us to our table, by a large bay window. As I sit down on a plush, blue velvet chair, I already feel at home.
The menu is simple but varied. For starters, the Whitby Crab Croquettes is the clear winner – three crispy croquettes, all fluffy on the inside with a fresh yet subtle taste of local crab. These golden bites of goodness are perfectly complimented with citrusy saffron mayonnaise.
For the main, I opt for a deliciously tender cut of pork complete with stuffing, crisp roasties, honey-glazed carrots, parsnips, and a pillowy Yorkshire Pudding, all whilst enjoying a cooling glass of Sauvignon Blanc. With any roast dinner, my ultimate fear (along with many northerners) is a lack of gravy, however, to my sheer delight, I am pleasantly surprised with the arrival of a sideboard that includes an extra pot of gravy each, braised red cabbage and creamy cauliflower cheese.
After some well-needed time to digest, I tuck into a Sticky-Toffee-Pudding style Yorkshire Ginger Parkin served warm with an oozing treacle fudge sauce, custard, and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. It’s the perfect autumnal dessert and one that will send me straight to the sofa for a post-food nap when I get home.
The verdict: A classic venue, with attentive, friendly staff and delicious, flavourful food.
A must-visit for roast fans! For more information, visit www.elmbankhotel.com.
Add a comment