Reviews in Leeds City Centre

I have eaten regularly at Red Chilli since it first opened, and have been a huge fan all this time. However, I heard that they have changed chefs sometime last year (maybe in the latter half of the year). Sadly, having been back there several times in the last 6 months, I can say that I feel the food has gone downhill. For example, one of my favourite dishes "yu xiang rou si" (shredded pork cooked with bamboo shoots and mushrooms ect - I don't know it's English name on the menu!) used to be somewhat hot and gently sour, with just a touch of sweetness, but now just has a sweet sauce that tastes like a generic Cantonese or (or Shanghainese) dish from a takeaway! The duck is as good as ever, but definitely I feel several of the Sichuan dishes no longer taste very authentic (or even very good). Maybe this won't worry most people (and it needn't, necessarily) but for me, what made Red Chilli such an oasis was the fact that almost all Chinese restaurants and takeaways in the UK all sell Cantonese food - Red Chilli was the first in Leeds to sell Sichuan and Northern style Chinese food - two totally different styles of cooking. A new restaurant opened in Leeds recently called Home Town restaurant, in Vicar lane, just a few doors down from Tong Palace. It lacks the exquisite decor of Red Chilli, but the food is authentic Sichuan and Northern Chinese cuisine, and after 3 visits, I can confirm that they do it well, and the staff are really nice, friendly and helpful. I hope Red Chilli can improve its cooking again, as it's still a real destination restaurant in Leeds, and for the sake of introducing UK people to other kinds of Chinese cuisine, it's been a great ambassador. But check out both of the restaurants I've discussed here and see what you think!

Came here for dinner last night and, as usual, was impressed by the food, although the bruschetta was a little heavy on the balsamic vinegar. The kitchen was obviously backed up as our main courses took ages to arrive, but they were perfectly cooked - I always appreciate a restaurant that can serve good mashed potato with its lamb shank. Still a favourite for an inexpensive evening.

I've been a regular visitor to Ciao Bella ever since it has opened and have found the staff and family exceptionally welcoming and the food delicious. I would recommend this restaurant to people celebrating a special occasion but also those who would like a cosy relaxed dinner for two.

This is where you want to eat. Italian cuisine is given the royal treatment at this magnificent set , a place where words like "flawless" and "perfection" aren't just abstract terms ... they're measurable daily standards. Owner-Bafti never fails to dazzle with dishes... and for me, it is the only place I want to eat.

waited a hour and a half for a table then another hour for food but they brought main meal out and put it under a light bulb there were 9 of us so food was going cold then 20 mins later our starters came and were cold we eventually refused the meals and had to wait again for meals. i will never visit this place again it was my 40th birthday and they spoilt it. the date i went was 27th feb 2010

As fantastic as the food and service is at Akbars i must say that you fancy a nice relaxed atmosphere then DONT go here. This place caters for large groups and the dining room can become EXTREMELY noisy when its busy. You may need ear plugs to cope with the noise of everyone shouting over each other. The food is however faultless and service fantastic. If you are in a small group then visit the other Akbars in Leeds, you wont be disappointed!!!

What can i say. China Chef is the best Chinese take-away in the world. Every dish is cooked to restaurant standard and i am yet to be disappointed (and have been a regular customer for 15 years!!!) The Chilli & Sakt Squid starter is mind blowing, watch out for the chillis though, they are small but pack a real punch!!! The Yung Chow Fried Rice and Singapore Noodles are exquisite as is everthing else. BEWARE!!! ONCE YOU SAMPLE THE FOOD YOU WILL BE HOOKED FOR LIFE!!!

I would not recommend Browns restaurant in Leeds, having been there this week for a steak. The rib eye steak was half the size it should be was served with frozen chips and water cress. Waited a long time for a poor meal. The soup starter was nice, however two very small slices of bread from a baguette is not good enough, anywhere you go in Europe you are always served a basket of bread when ordering soup. Very disappointed. But you know what they say, you only get ripped off once. Never again.

JUST EATEN AT BRSSERIE BLANC IN LEEDS FOR THE 1ST TIME, IT WAS BRILL. CANTWAIT TO GO BACK AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE BOOKING FOR MOTHERS DAY

I have enjoyed eating at Viva on several occasions however, I was disappointed with the way we were treated when we turned up on a Wednesday night to find that the restaurant was full and no table was available for our party despite being booked in advance.

Great restaurant and bakery. Has become a regular favourite for our family, serves authentic Chinese food at reasonable prices. Downsides are that the restaurant can be very busy especially at peak periods where you will either have to wait or be served in the downstairs bakery. Also occasionally staff do not speak fluent English so describing dishes can be challenging. Being a lover of truly authentic Chinese food, I can't recommend this restaurant more highly!

excellent service and gorgeous food the restaurant inside looks lovely , great attention to details ! no need to travel to Bradford anymore for great Asian food

Although we did not stay to eat as they were fully booked so can only comment on the wine bar aspect - we were made to feel exceptionally welcome, lovely atmosphere, menu looked great and the olives and paprika chorizo that came with the excellent house wine were delicious - would certainly return another time, this time with a booking.

We booked a table for 3 through the Sugarvine site and immediately received a confirmation text with booking code. When we arrived at the restaurant they had no record of our booking (in fact the greeter said he wasn't aware of the restaurant being able to receive bookings through Sugarvine) but sat us at a table in the bar where the music got progressively louder throughout our meal. We asked for it to be turned down once but by the time we'd finished we couldn't hear each other speak. The food was very nice although the starters were bought out with a long gap between them and our seafood stir fry had very sharp pieces of broken mussel shell in it. Although the food was lovely, the rest of the experience overshadowed it.

I have been here several times now and am always impressed by the food - the duck and mango bento box and the ginger and lime cheesecake are particular favourites, as is the plum wine. This time I tried a sushi starter and also found it delicious. The service was excellent - one of our group arrived just before the main courses reached us and yet she was still served quickly enough for her to finish eating at the same time as us. Always a pleasure.

Persuaded my husband to come here with a 2 for 1 deal on main courses. We had three tapas to start - meatballs, peri-peri chicken and mushroom quesadillas, all of which were delicious. This was followed by duck fajitas, the Buenos Aires burger and a mango cheesecake, all excellent. The service was a little slow but the staff were helpful, even to the point of replacing my plate of tortillas when a drink got spilled into it. Well worth visiting and will continue to do so.

VEGETARIANS BEWARE. A nasty environment. Packing them in, and giving very very bad service. I ordered a vegetable curry, and got bits of meat in my very small curry. Looked like they had just cooked it with the rest and picked out the meat. Without doubt the very worst restaurant I have ever eaten in in the UK. Seriously shocking! Avoid!

Don't waste your money. Over priced run of the mill Chinese fodder. Service was atrocious, would not bring drinks to the table and starter took 90 minutes to be served!!! They then had the cheek to add a 10percent service charge. Seriously, go somewhere else tampopo is better value for money and better food.