The Academy at Flannels

There has been a restaurant upstairs in this luxury fashion shop for a long time. It was run by Anthony's previously but has been vacant in the months since that shut.

Last week the restaurant was relaunched as 'The Food Academy'.

I went to the press launch and that was all very nice as I got to try canape versions of all the main course dishes (have the lamb, its amazing).

I also had the signature pudding 'Duck eggs and soldiers with a taste of lemon' where a real duck egg shell is filled with soft meringue and lemon curd to make the egg, served with shortbread soldiers. This comes with a small scoop of lemon sorbet and a bite of lemon drizzle cake to finish the plate. Fun, imaginative and most of all delicious.

The restaurant is only open at the moment from 10 am - 4pm serving breakfast and brunches, sandwiches from £5, afternoon tea for £10 and a full A la Carte lunch menu.

I went back unannounced on Saturday morning for my birthday breakfast. We were warmly greeted and sat by a window that overlooks the shoppers on Vicar lane. The dining room is light and airy (it was light even on Wednesday when it was grey and overcast outside) and has a serene feel to it.

We were provided with drinks, orange juice and bucks fizz and chose from the varied breakfast menu. Pastries start at just £2 up to £7 for smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. I had my favourite, Eggs Benedict for £6.

The food was nicely presented on modern plates- good sized portion with 2 eggs, perfectly runny in the middle and plenty of hollandaise sauce. Fantastic.

The bill for our special breakfast was £20. Worth it for the lovely food and the added value of the classy surroundings and the fun feeling of sitting at the top of a fancy shop with a bucks fizz peering down at the masses below.

As a foot note, The Food Academy is run in conjunction with Leeds City College providing apprenticeships for the top graduates from the catering and hospitality courses. The bread is made in the college, the flower arrangements provided by the horticultural department. A section of the dining room is an art gallery that is soon to display works from the art students and there are plans for musical performances by the students too. As well as being a great restaurant, this Food Academy will hopefully develop into a showcase for the most talented young people that Leeds has to offer.

The Food Academy at Flannels
*Reasonably priced
*Serene surroundings
*Providing opportunities for talented young people

Third Floor, Flannels
Vicar Lane
Leeds
LS1 7JH

(0113) 243 4898

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