The new restaurant has got some of Leeds, and indeed the nation’s most notable names in the hospitality scene talking.
Bavette plans to open next Wednesday 21 February 2023, just outside Leeds City Centre in nearby suburb, Horsforth.
The owners, we are told, come from ‘very well respected London restaurants’, and the bar has been set extremely high for ex-Culpeper Group MD and Head Chef Sandy Jarvis and husband, Restaurant Manager and sommelier Clément Cousin.
Combining their previous experience at the likes of Brawn and The Buxton and Eat Your Greens here in Leeds, the duo plan to serve up a seasonal menu with wines from Clément’s family vineyard in France.
To us, we’re imagining that cosy intimate feel that Horsforth does so effortlessly with long wooden accents and a food menu that focuses on seasonality and quality, all with tried-and-tested ingredients inspired by French bistro menus throughout.
There’s a handful of choices for each course. Beginning with Comté croquettes; Cantabrian anchovies with shallots, butter and toast, Cevella de Canut, a speciality cheese dip from Lyon, with Crudité and walnut oil; and baguette and house butter (of course), make up the snacks on offer.
The starters sound just as delightful. Choose from Shellfish Bisque with Rouille Crostini; braised squid with saffron aïoli and Gremolata; pork belly rillons with Frisée Salad and ravigot sauce, or opt for a French classics with a Yorkshire twist: Paté en croûte with Earl Grey jelly.
Vegetarians will also be delighted to see Caramelised onion tartlette, with radicchio and Berkswell for starters and a thoughtful nod to its European influences, with a pan-fried gnocchi with squash, Cavolo Nero, hazelnuts and ricotta as your main menu dish.
Bavette promises to source its ingredients ‘from the very best small-time growers and sustainable suppliers to serving wines that excite the most novice and well-heeled wine-lovers, Bavette will offer a warm, guest-centred approach to dining, creating a community restaurant for locals and visitors alike to return to again and again.’
Elsewhere on the menu, you’ll find Skrei Cod with a Vin Jaune sauce, served with brown shrimps, buttered leeks and fondant potatoes; glazed lamb shoulder, purple broccoli, celeriac purée, salsa verde and the signature Bavette a l’échalote, served with frites, Béarnaise sauce and baby gem salad.
There will also be a 800g Cote de Boeuf in red wine jus added to the menu as a sharing option. Priced at £80, this is recommended for a table between two and four people and is served with dauphinoise potatoes and Hispi cabbage.
The desserts are also wonderful French neighbourhood patisserie favourites, but hinting at its Yorkshire home. Think Crème Brúlée with Yorkshire rhubarb and shortbread; Paris-Brest; chocolate sabayon tart with fromage blanc sorbet and a cheese board offering with St Maure de Touraine, 24 month Comté, Bleu d’Auvergne and chutney.
Now one of the most important features of Bavette, is that the wine pairings ensure that food and drink is of equal importance: and with a seven-page menu spanning through non-vintage Champagne and labels from 2015-2024 to, quite literally, family favourites, with a selection of wines from Clément’s family vineyard in France.
Now that really does sound like a feast for the senses.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Earlier this year we caught up with Sam Pullan, owner of The Empire Cafe, an intimate restaurant hailed by Jay Rayner (and the rest of us) after bringing a 120-year-old cafe site back to life with small plates, flame-grill rotisserie and beautiful breakfasts through available to takeaway from its little hatch.
Sam told us that Bavette was going to be something ‘really exciting’ and was his recommendation for anyone looking to try somewhere new in 2024.
So it looks like you’ll see us and Sam inside Bavette soon!
Read More:
- The historic cafe down a Leeds ginnel – and the chef bringing it back to life
- Everywhere you need to add to your bucket list in Leeds in 2024
- All the new openings coming to Leeds this month and beyond | February 2024
Bavette opens next week on Wednesday 21 February 2024, taking over the site at 4-6 Town Street in Horsforth, just outside of Leeds City Centre.
Make sure to book yourself in to avoid disappointment, we’ve heard there’s only a handful of reservations available over the coming weeks.
Feature Image – Bavette via Instagram
