Ham and Friends Leeds Review: Artisan Produce Alongside Seasonal Small Plates

Ham & Friends Leeds Grand Arcade – Leeds Best Bars – Leeds Best Restaurants – Ham and Friends Leeds Review – Written by Paul Conboy – Follow on Instagram/Twitter @fatfoodclub – 

Ham and Friends Leeds Review: Artisan Produce Alongside Seasonal Small Plates

More fine wine than craft ale; Ham and Friends is the new spectacular venture from the same people behind the hugely successful Friends of Ham. Boasting an impressive food hall, dining hall, kitchen and walk in cheese room; you will be left in no doubt that this is something special which Leeds has not seen before. Flooded with natural light; both Claire and Anthony Kitching have designed a loft space providing a unique experience in shopping and dining. We headed there to meet the new family and those behind Team Ham for a wine and food tasting evening like no other.
          
Settling down to our seats, we were first treated to canapés and a delicious crispy chicken skin with a leek remoulade. This was served alongside one of their 220 regionally selected wines. In this case, we were offered an excellent Sicilian Baglio Bianco orange wine. It’s rustic flavour of apples and plum complimented each course. This was especially the case with the Whitby mackerel, pickled fennel and escabeche dressing. Delicate in flavour and immaculately presented, each course was just as good to look at as it was to eat.
          
Earthy and rustic; an Australian red wine by Peter Sullivan named Bonkers equally suited the exquisite food which we were eating. Head Chef Joel Monkman has left no stone unturned to provide a menu which is both exciting and satisfying. For instance, the gnocchi like Winchester dumplings with caramelised cauliflower herbs and hazelnut tasted fantastic; whilst a vegetable offering of seasonal chard, broccoli, lemon, chilli and smoked almonds did not disappoint.
        
         
Artisan is not in short supply here. The products available to buy from their food hall are extensive. Simply put, you will not find a place like this in Leeds. The walk in cheese fridge will leave you in awe. We tried a two year aged Amsterdam Gouda. The crystallisation giving a super smooth and creamy taste. It had a crunch of sweetness which left us all with the impression that this was one of the best cheeses we had eaten in a very long time.
Alongside this, you can also be provided with private dining on request. There is also a dedicated on site Yorkshire Wine School teaching you everything from wine ages to tannins.
With an exceptionally seasonal and ever changing menu to match, regionally sourced and relaxed in style, Ham and Friends should be at the top of anyone’s list for a truly friendly and excellent evening of food and drink.
Find out more about Ham & Friends and view their menus.
Ham & Friends, Grand Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6PG (entrance at 7 Merrion Street)
0113 2461214
squeal@hamandfriends.com
www.hamandfriends.com
Ham and Friends Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11am-11pm (kitchen 5pm-10pm)
Friday: 11am – midnight (kitchen 5pm-10pm)
Saturday: 11am – midnight (kitchen 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm)
Sunday: 11am – 7pm (kitchen 11am-5pm)
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Ham & Friends Leeds Grand Arcade – Leeds Best Bars – Leeds Best Restaurants – Ham and Friends Leeds Review – Written by Paul Conboy – Follow on Instagram/Twitter @fatfoodclub