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.
Images: Bavette via Instagram
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.
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!
The Japanese green tea is having its moment, and we're absolutely here for it.
So, we've taken it upon ourselves to venture out and explore the city for the best matcha spots and trust us, we've found some good ones.
From your classic matcha latte to blue banana matcha, there's a tea-riffic matcha beverage to suit everyone (sorry).
So keep reading and pick out your next spot which you're keen to try.
RAW Coffee
10 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a bit of a matcha snob then this is the place to go as owners Anya and James pride themselves on serving up only real, authentic matcha.
And they're constantly coming up with unique specials too including the beautiful banana blue matcha which is the perfect gateway matcha for those of you who find the green stuff a bit too 'grassy'.
It's such a lovely spot and the staff are super friendly and will be happy to help you decide which matcha you're going to go for, to drink-in or takeaway.
Federal
Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Not only does this Aussie-style brunch spot make fantastic food but their matcha is flipping fantastic too. Coming in a range of flavours and perfect for on the go as they come in these adorable cans that look almost too good to crack open.
MADE
165 Lower Briggate, LS1 6LY
Image: The Hoot Leeds
New to Lower Briggate, this lovely new opening is home to super fresh acai bowls, hand-whisked matcha, Erewhon smoothie dupes, split cups, tuna-cado sarnies and wonderful staff to help you decide on your order.
Tsujiri
Leeds Kirkgate Market, Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now it wouldn't be a guide to matcha without Tsujiri, would it? These guys are committed to giving the people of Leeds some of the highest-grade Japanese green tea you can get your hands on.
It's the most authentic you'll find in the city, and you can even get it in the form of soft serve ice cream and decadent crepe cakes. Yum.
Cup + Lid
29 The Headrow, LS1 6PU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Four words - White Chocolate Matcha Latte. Yep, that's what these hot chocolate specialists on The Headrow make and they're absolutely delicious.
You can also get your hands on loads of other matcha lattes, both hot and cold, including strawberry matcha, matcha milkshakes and vanilla matcha.
The Savvy Baker
27 Albion Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for their epic bakes, The Savvy Baker on Albion Street also has a dedicated matcha bar inside it serving up some of the most creative flavours in the city. I mean they even do a cereal milk flavoured matcha, need we say more?
Pole Pole
60 North Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This calming little spot is serving up beautiful homemade cakes alongside fresh matcha; nestled just outside the city centre, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.
Sonder
27-28, Grand Arcade, 20 Merrion St, LS1 6PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For the most aesthetic matcha in Leeds, head to Sonder. The interior here will get you feeling like you've been transported to Ibiza as you relax on their beautiful boucle sofa and drink out of trendy glasses.
But it's not just all for show, the matcha is expertly made and you can even treat yourself to a matcha croisssant whilst you're at it.
Hii Grind
King Edward St, LS1 6BR
Matcha is known for its multiple health benefits, but if you want to multiply that then head to Hii. GRIND. This new spot inside Flannels specialise in bright, colourful and most of all healthy dishes that make you glow from within.
We're talking matcha lattes, vibrant acai bowls, juice and smoothies.
Beloved Leeds bistro ‘over the moon’ after being named one of the best restaurants in the UK
Clementine Hall
It's just another accolade for Bavette as the neighbourhood bistro is crowned one of the best in the UK.
And they're just as excited as we are.
Voted for by the industry's best, the National Restaurant Awards include a list of the country's top 100 restaurants every single year.
Although the official awards ceremony and numbered list will take place in June, last week the restaurants that will be included received an adorable box of confetti through the post.
And one of our very own, unsurprisingly, received just that.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
And now, they've earned themselves a coveted spot in the top 100 restaurants in the UK.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here's what Bavette had to say after discovering the news: "Over the moon to get the news we’ve made it into @nationalrestaurantawards top 100 for this year.
"A list we’ve long since hugely admired and such a massive honour to make it this year. Voted for by industry grandees, the full list will be announced at their awards ceremony in June which we’ll be there for. Allez."
Congratulations Sandy, Clement and the wonderful team - this is absolutely so well deserved and we'll be cheering you on in June from the sidelines.
Sophie Smith -
16th February 2024 
