The Maven Leeds Restaurant Review

PLEASE NOTE: The Maven Leeds Restaurant is currently closed 

Expect grandeur, style and elegance at The Maven Leeds new 2^nd Floor Portuguese inspired restaurant

Meaning expert and connoisseur, The Maven has forever lived up to its name in serving the city of Leeds with an outstanding speakeasy cocktail experience. And whilst its masterclass title in mixology remains, there is something new to report from the place which so many have always visited. In fact, The Maven’s secretly located Call Lane Victorian townhouse now offers more of its grand décor, style and surroundings in a new and fabulous 2^nd Floor restaurant.

The menu is cleverly crafted around a series of small plates (inspirations are taken from the coast, land and harvest) which would make food capitals from Lisbon to Porto to Madeira and everywhere in between smile with food delight. To fill a tooth whilst you make your selections try the freshly baked bread with tapenade and do not ignore the deliciously rich braised chorizo with white wine and peppers.

As a rule, two orders and a side will make a complete meal but tonight we were doing research. Our food adventure started with a perfectly seared salt and pepper squid with chargrilled broccoli, crispy bacon and a citrus tasting ponzu dressing. All food here is locally sourced and as we took our turn from the sea to land we were treated to honey fried chicken with a sweet pickled cucumber. More standout dishes arrived including the chargrilled rump steak with a red peri glaze and sherry dried tomato. The harvest vegetables need special mention here too. Firstly, check the orzo pasta served with courgette, lemon, rocket and Parmesan breadcrumbs. If this does not take your fancy then the marinated kale with whipped truffle white beans, citrus freekeh and caramelised celeriac will. Actually, we agreed that these two alone had probably taken the crown as some of the best meat-free (dare I say vegetarian) food we had ever eaten. We finished up this evening with a delicately decorated dark chocolate tart which tasted fantastic with crushed pistachio and sesame brittle.

Drinks are equally impressive and whilst they should not be taken for granted here, The Maven Leeds steps up to what it has always done in providing an extensive and well-thought selection. Expect an Elderflower Gimlet to a Mandarine Swizzle in cocktails whilst the wine list serves up an excellent Seremos Malbec to a white La Marimorena Casa Rojo. As well as these there are the usual but well picked and sometimes local beers, ciders and sparkles.

As a final honour this evening, we asked for a sneak peek at Room 47 and The Maven’s Green Room. Both of which are usually off limits but both equally impressive to the rest of The Maven in grandeur and looks. They are reserved for parties and larger groups but shows that The Maven is taking a step to open itself up beyond just what it has always ever been. In fact, The Maven has proven with the 2^nd Floor that it not only celebrates the best in drinks but now successfully champions a food experience which makes it one of the best in the region.

The Maven Leeds Info

Restaurant Opening Times
Mon. Closed
Tue. 17:00 – 00:00
Wed. 17:00 – 00:00
Thu. 17:00 – 00:00
Fri. 17:00 – 00:00
Sat. 12:00 – 00:00
Sun. 12:00 – 19:00

Contact
The Maven, 1 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7DH – 0113 243 6047

Written by Paul Conboy, follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @fatfoodclub

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