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!
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The beautiful West Yorkshire valley walk that ends at a top gastropub
Daisy Jackson
If your idea of a perfect Sunday doesn't involve a stroll in the countryside followed by lunch in a country pub - we can't be friends.
And if that does sound like your idea of a very nice day out, we've found a pretty spectacular walk-roast combo for you, right here in West Yorkshire.
You can start your day by strolling through surprisingly varied and very green countryside, with stunning valley views, before resting your weary legs beneath the table of an award-winning gastropub.
If you haven't guessed it yet - we're off to the Shibden Valley, just outside Halifax, where your gentle hike will lead you straight to the warm embrace of the Shibden Mill Inn.
The walk begins in the car park beside the pub, but don't get tempted in for a pint just yet.
There's an easy-moderate 5.6km circular that will lead you along a country lane, dropping down to cross a brook, then heading back up a gentle incline towards the top of the valley.
The views along the Shibden Valley from here are beautiful - lush green fields dotted with trees as far as the eye can see.
Then the route takes you along some wide open fields, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way, before heading into peaceful woodlands.
You can take a break here to paddle in the stream before continuing on through farmland, with friendly horses to say hello to.
Views along the Shibden Valley Circular. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Then you'll find yourself back at the Shibden Mill Inn, a pub that's consistently finding itself in the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.
Dating back to the 17th century, it's a pretty white building converted from a former mill, with ivy climbing all up its walls.
There's a sizeable beer garden - with a live musician playing when we popped in - but it's hard to resist the cosy charm of the pub's interior, where staff have to duck beneath the low ceiling beams and no surface feels totally straight.
The Shibden Mill Inn's Sunday roast offering does a set menu, with two courses for £40 or three for £45, changing seasonally.
You'll find pub classics on the starters, like chicken liver parfait and homemade soup, before delving into the main event - the Sunday roast.
We love a pub that gives you both mashed AND roasted potatoes, which the Shibden Mill Inn does, along with roast seasonal veg and a towering Yorkshire pudding.
The Sunday roast at the Shibden Mill InnChicken liver parfait, and soup Chocolate fondant with torched marshmallowInside the Shibden Mill Inn
There's roasted salt-aged sirloin of beef, cooked perfectly pink (though they're happy to give it a bit longer if you prefer your meat to not be blushing); or an excellent wedge of belly pork with crispy crackling.
And on the side, a portion of cauliflower cheese that is actually more cheese than cauliflower. Perfect.
Puddings are a nice mix of heavy winter favourites and lighter, fruitier desserts - but we go full stodge, with a chocolate fondant dessert topped with torched marshmallow, salted caramel, and sugared pecans, and have no regrets.
If you want to replicate this Sunday walk and roast, you can see the full circular route here.
Sophie Smith -
16th February 2024 
