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Kendells Bistro

French • Leeds City Centre
Sugarvine
5.0/5
(0113) 243 6553 3 St Peters Buildings, St Peters Square, Leeds City Centre, West Yorkshire, LS9 8AH (0113)24…Show
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A passion for all things Gallic is the hallmark of Steven Kendell's eponymous French bistro in the centre of Leeds.
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About Kendells Bistro

Situated in a prime location opposite the Leeds College of Music, Kendells Bistro is part of the thriving arts district in Leeds City Centre next to the West Yorkshire Playhouse, BBC Leeds and the new Northern Ballet Dance Theatre. Kendells' relaxed, informal atmosphere typifies a classic French bistro - candlelit with a quirky and rustic 1930s feel. Chef-patron Steven Kendell has worked in Paris and throughout rural France and over the years his classic French cuisine has garnered a hatful of awards. With its open plan kitchen, attentive but not pushy staff and an ever-changing blackboard menu, Kendells brings a little bit of France to the city's burgeoning cultural quarter. Refined but unpretentious, there is no service charge and the freshly baked bread is on the house. It's perfect for pre-theatre dining and is open from 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Sugarvine
5.0
Food 5.0/5
Service 5.0/5
Atmosphere 5.0/5
Value for Money 5.0/5
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3 /5
3 /5
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5.0
CH
One of Leeds finest. We love it here. Great food in a place with atmosphere, not bland like many places in town! Highly recommended
Barry Miller
What a lovely french delight. As soon as you enter the restaurant feels and looks like a french bistro. Having the menu on giant blackboards is interestingly different although you may have to strain the neck to read them. This was worth the effort because when the food came it was cooked to perfection. The dishes were not only very french they were also a little different. Most importnatly they were lovingly produced. I could see, smell and taste the effort that had gone into the prepartion and execution. I'll be back
Snowqueen
We went for a pre-theatre meal here, and got a table for 5.30, with a promise we'd be done in time for the 7.30 show at the next-door WYPlayhouse. I was hugely impressed by everything about this restaurant. There was a small crowd waiting for the doors to open, and everyone had pre-booked (which I would recommend as it certainly seems popular). The friendly and efficient staff checked every party off the booking list and got them seated, given drinks and so on very quickly without ever giving an impression of hurrying anyone. Although almost every table was full, the well organised staff kept everything ticking along unobtrusively and the whole place had a nice, friendly, buzzy atmosphere. The fixed price menu was good value, though after our meal we decided that for the quality and the quantity the full main menu is not overpriced at all. The food is some of the best we have eaten in the UK, not fussy and over presented, but good honest rustic French cuisine with generous portions and tastes out of this world. Another nice touch was the fresh french bread - when we had eaten all our first basket we were given another at no additional cost, as with the carafe of iced water. This is a 10 out of 10 restaurant on every count, we will definitely be going again!
Browneyedgirl
I had suggested this place to friends as we had never eaten French food in the UK before; very glad I did as it was spectacular. Delicious food - I had the poached egg in red wine followed by duck confit - and a wonderful relaxed ambiance contributed to an excellent dining experience. Will certainly be back.
Billie
This restaurant is sublime. Amazing food, even better service. Could not fault it. Please, please go. I went with my boyfriend for a romantic meal and all we could talk about was the incredible food, fantastically helpful staff and lovely atmosphere. My boyfriend had steak, which was full of flavour and I had the best belly pork, I have ever had (which I always order at every chance I get in a restaurant) so I have a lot to compare it to! The wine was delicious as were the starters. It also was £25 less than anticipated. I would recommend to anyone!
Kate T
My experience at Kendells was quite frankly the best meal out I've had in years. Unpretentious, yet classy, the interior offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, which is reinforced by the brilliant staff. I would be prepared to write a glowing review based on the service alone, were it not for the fact that the food I had was simply sublime. The menu is alluringly displayed on an expansive blackboard (all the better for frequent menu changes reflecting the seasonality of ingredients), featuring timeless bistro classics such as french onion soup, duck liver pate, salmon en croute and tarte citron. The dishes themselves may be typical of the bistro style, but the quality of the food was definitely atypical and positively outstanding. On seeing the prices, I was certainly not expecting the superlative calibre of the food. After just one mouthful of the salmon, I was ready to name my first child after the chef. We went for a pre-theatre 3-course set menu, which included a half bottle of wine per head. On arriving (late), our hostess quickly ascertained that we needed to be at the theatre afterwards, and consequently ensured that our courses were served swiftly (without feeling rushed), as well as ordering us a taxi (the restaurant is next door to the Playhouse, but we were going to The Grand). Overall, the experience was one I would love to re-experience, and I would recommend this bistro to anyone and everyone. I wish I lived in Leeds so I could go back whenever I wanted!
Ste
This place is incredible. We were there tonight and saw what seemed to be only three chefs manically running around the kitchen to deliver stunning food to a packed house. My girlfriend and I were welcomed warmly by the hostess and waitresses and treated to free warm bread; a nice touch. For starters the onion soup and mussels were absolutely delicious; rich and sweet, and fresh and fragrant respectively. Our mains of halibut and rabbit were out of this world, and came in huge portions! For dessert we ordered a stunning looking strawberry tart and a beautifully presented chocolate 'pot', which finished off the meal perfectly. We will be recommending this to everyone!
Richard
Anyone looking for great food at reasonable prices will find a visit to Kendells bistro well worthwhile. Situated opposite the BBC centre and close to the Playhouse Theatre, the restaurant offers a pre theatre early bird menu which is excellent value for money. Our party of four was made to feel really at home, with drinks and unlimited supplies of warm crusty french bread served at the table, while we chose from a menu board which changes daily "so that the chef can cook what's freshest ". Three of us had a delicious salmon fishcake starter, beautifully served, whilst the french onion soup, which is a house speciality, was rated superb by the fourth member of the group. For main courses the majority opted for the Pot au boulanger, a casserole of belly pork, Toulouse sausage and vegetables, delicious and very filling- Chicken breast with tarragon was equally good. What little room was left was filled by Bailey's ice cream, a Creme Brulee, and best choice of all, a pot au chocolat, accompanied by a small jug of double cream, slices of strawberry, and meringue. wonderful. With two bottles of wine included in the price, the bill for four, with coffee came to £25 per head. It was nice to able to shake hands with the Chef, Stephen Kendells, before we left to thank him for a memorable meal. Mr Kendell's previous restaurants in leeds were Leodi's and Paris, both of which had great followings in their heyday. He deserves to have the same success here.
Andie
I am pleased to say that my second visit to Kendells was as pleasurable as the first. Dining in such a vibrant atmosphere, with good quality food and the most helpful, accommodating staff is such a delight. My companion and I ordered from the A la Carte menu, and in our opinion it was excellent value for money. I will definitely be visiting again and continue to promote this restaurant to my friends.
Allanmt
This restaurant is brilliant!!!! I cannot put into words what a gem of a place this is! when we went it wasn't busy but there was a steady flow of people. I started with snails which were nice and garlic flavoured, my girlfriend had the French Onion Soup, which as stated earlier is gorgeous! then we had salmon and Salt Pork respectively which again were well cooked and lovely! cant comment on the deserts as were both too full! the waiting staff are great, by far the best i have seen, very knowledgeable about the dishes and cannot do enough to help! We will def be going again soon! everyone should try this place!
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Kendells Bistro File

Fact File

Main dining room capacity 100
Booking policy On Friday and Saturday evenings we cannot take walk in's, however the week days are more flexible.
Average 3 course evening meal price (excluding drinks) £35

Disabled Facilities

Wheelchair access throughout facility Yes
Wheelchair information We must be informed beforehand if customer needs wheelchair access.

Additional Information

Wifi free
Payment by credit card Yes
Payment by debit card Yes
Dogs allowed Yes
Covered smoking area no covered smoking area