lifestyle
If you find a restaurant that’s bursting at its seams on a mid-week night then it says a lot about its food!.
Bavette was opened early in 2024 in Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, and already boasts a large regular clientele of discerning diners who have been completely won over by this neighbourhood bistro.
This is the first venture of Head Chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clement Cousin, Restaurant Manager and Sommelier both of whom share a pedigree of experience that spans some of the most prestigious restaurants in the UK. Within a few months of opening Bavette was awarded the Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurant in the UK and has recently added another accolade to its name – The Michelin Guide Category Bibourmond awarded for high quality fine cuisine at reasonable prices.
It’s easy to see that the Bavette dining experience is created out of the passionate love of restaurants of the owners.
The menu, created by Sandy, features seasonally led classically inspired dishes while the destination wine list has wines from Clement’s family vineyard in the Loire Valley as well as an excellent range of other wines.
From the moment you walk into Bavette you sense its intimate, relaxed atmosphere with the dark green walls, aged wood and antique mirrors whilst the open kitchen pass allows guests a view into the bustling kitchen.
Tables at Bavette are well choreographed allowing for privacy and the banquette seating with small tables is very comfortable but above all it’s a light and airy place with an ambience all of its own.
The staff are welcoming and friendly and genuinely want to make your dining experience one to remember – nothing is too much trouble.
Clement took us through the menu and we decided to use his wine expertise to pair our food with wines from the restaurant’s wine list. This was a wise move and we were not disappointed by our decision – in fact we were more than pleased.
The restaurant sources its products from the very best growers and sustainable suppliers most of them local. Meat is from the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton and Swaledale with the Toulouse sausage been made locally. And when it comes to fish you couldn’t get it any fresher. It comes from Hartlepool or from Cornwall.
The suppliers text the restaurant with what has come off the boats that morning and its sent up to Bavette for guests to enjoy that very day – hence the menu’s fish choice is changed every day.
For my starter there was only one choice for me The French Onion Soup a particular favourite of mine. My first spoonful was an absolute joy to taste. The consistency was as it should be thick and smooth and one could tell it had been marinated with white wine for a long time giving it a special taste . A slice of sourdough bread with a melted piece of Conte cheese on top completed the hearty offering that one could well imagine a French farmer tucking into for supper.
French Onion Soup
Poached Pear
My colleague chose the Poached Pear, served with Winter Leaves, Roquefort and Walnuts. The pear had a rounded flavour and the Roquefort complimented the fruit along with the walnuts and a delicious and unique dressing made in house.
For my main course I just had to indulge myself with the fish. Day Boatvwas the offering on the menu. This was moist, succulent, white and cooked by Sandy to absolute perfection. It came with glazed salsify – a vegetable that resembles long thing parsnips with a creamy white flesh inside and is rather like artichokes with a slight taste of oyster. It’s a must try if you ever get the chance. Buttered leaks and Vin Jaune Sauce – a rich dry white wine sauce were an excellent compliment to the dish.
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Cassoulet (confit Duck Leg and Pork Belly with Toulouse Sausage) was my colleagues choice. Accompanying the dish was Carottes Rappees – a typically French grated carrot salad with a delicious tangy dressing. This was real French rustic comfort food he declared. It was smooth and the meat was tender and flavoursome the fusion of flavours blended well.
Desserts are not to be missed at Bavette. I chose the Caramel Poached Blood Orange, Rize au Lait – French for Rice Pudding. The poached orange diffused the sweetness of the pudding and made it taste just out of this world. I have always loved rice pudding especially with fruit – but this was just my heaven on a plate that could have come from the angel’s kitchen.
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My colleague opted for the Pistachio & Almond Tart with Rhubarb and Custard Ice-Cream. This was a real treat for lovers of these flavoursome nuts. The tart was filled with a copious amount of ground pistachio and almonds and oozed flavour. I just had to have a taste and it was love at first bite for me. The ice-cream made the perfect accompaniment and the rhubarb glaze balanced the flavours– but beware this tart is very filling – ideal for sharing.
Finishing our meal with a coffee and some home made chocolate truffles was a wonderful way to end the evening before saying “A bientot” not” Au Revoir” to Bavette as I am sure we will be back again very soon.
Bavette is well worth travelling out of the city centre to enjoy a dining experience that’s founded on the owners love of food.
Fact File:
Bavette 4-6 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RJ
Website:www.bavettebistro.com
Monday & Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday & Thursday – open 6.pm – 10pm – dinner only; Friday & Saturday lunch 12pm-3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10.00pm. Sunday lunch only 12pm- 4pm.