Brasserie at West Park

Emma has been here a couple of times now to this little brasserie at the far end of Headingley, and suggested we go for an early tea. As the first guests of the evening we were warmly welcomed.

As well as the main menu, there is also a gourmet burger menu, a comprehensive kids menu priced at £4.50 a dish and a number of specials up on a board.

The specials were explained to us and we were given the main menu. Em had gone for the early bird menu before but this time there was no detail of the offer on the menu, it's not mentioned on the website and so we were left a bit unsure and guessing what we were allowed to have or how much things would end up costing.

The starter from the specials board was fig wrapped in parma ham. It came out very quickly so it had obviously been made in advanced and then just stuck under the grill to melt the cheese in it. It was very nice and the salad had a tasty dressing but maybe I would have liked it to have been grilled for a bit longer as it wasn't quite warm enough for my liking.

My main course was a huge piece of blackened miso cod. This was fantastic, the blackened crust not tasting burnt but adding an interesting twist to the flavour. This came with pieces of chorizo, new potatoes and a rocket salad.

Emma had chicken with a grape and Stilton sauce and sweet potatoes. Again a mountainous portion with plenty of flavour and interesting things going on.

For pudding we both had the chocolate brownie, home made with the also home made banana and ginger ice cream. Simple but spot on.

We also shared a bottle of house wine.

When the bill came it was all a bit confusing. Just over £10 deduction each had been made for the early bird dishes, one main dish had a £2.50 supplement added and a 10% service charge had also been stuck on the end bringing the total bill with wine to £54. Not bad considering we had the wine too, but not a bargain for an early midweek tea either. (And added service charges REALLY annoy me).

The restaurant is really nice inside, the decor is fairly simple and neutral but feels warm and inviting. The addition of candles on the table makes it feel really quite special and romantic, even on a damp Wednesday teatime.

What I would really like to see, is if they are going to offer and early bird, a separate menu done for the purpose detailing what exactly can be had and for what price. I wasn't the only one this would have been of use for, I also heard another couple debating the same while we were there, and I think one of them decided not to go with a dish from the specials board that he wanted because he wasn't sure if it was included or not.

Brasserie at West Park
*Relaxed, romantic atmosphere
*Good sized portions & interesting dishes
*Early bird menu needs clarifying

269 Otley Road,
West Park,
Leeds,
LS16 5LN

Website