Our main course and dessert were excellent. Perfectly cooked, great flavours and well presented. The starters were good but not amazing. I sent mine back to ask for extra sauce but this was dealt with very well. Attentive, friendly service but not obtrusive. Modern, inviting space. Overall a very enjoyable dining experience, would recommend this restaurant.
Steve Ayton
This is a copy of a letter sent to the manager of Leeds Seventeen. It refers to pre-booked Coeliac (wheat and gluten free) meals to be served as part of a Masonic Ladies' Night.
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Re: The Allerton Lodge No. 3047 Ladies’ Evening on March 27th 2010
Dear Sir,
With regard to the above event, I write to inform you that the service received on the above occasion was, with one notable exception, of such a level as to completely destroy any pleasure to be derived from the event.
Sadly, this was not a “one-off†failure, but was an almost mirror image of the same event in 2009! At that time, a lady called Fiona was in charge. Like Oliver Jackson on this occasion, she was also curiously absent on the event.
The main complaint is about the standard of the food offered to the two Coeliac guests. In general, the standard of food delivery (certainly to table 2) was poor, just on the boundary of acceptable – the plates (and consequently the food) were cold and the staff seemed confused and eager to get the plates delivered to anyone, and hurry back to the kitchen.
I refer you to the E-mail conversation between myself and Oliver Jackson.
These gave the (false) impression of competence, as a result of which my wife and I decided that the previous year’s fiasco was just an unfortunate series of cock-ups, unlikely to be repeated.
Unfortunately, such diabolically rank service now seems to be the hallmark of Leeds Seventeen.
On arrival, my wife tried to contact Oliver, to let him know (as requested) that the Coeliacs were on table 2. She was told that Oliver had requested leave for the night, so he wasn’t at work. We started to fear the worst, as the previous year the same thing had happened when Fiona was the contact.
The evening’s debacles continued with the first course, which should have been the Prawn & Crayfish starters with substituted olive oil dressing. This turned out to be four small prawns on shredded lettuce, with no crayfish or dressing at all, substituted or not. I asked the waitress to check that these were in fact the Coeliac options, and not some other ‘special’s. Her reply “I think so, er, I don’t knowâ€, was not reassuring.
The main courses for the Coeliacs were supposed to have been a roast cod loin with modified mustard sauce for my wife, and a roast beef with separately prepared gravy for her friend.
What was actually served was a still frozen small slab of cod with two thin strands of asparagus crossed atop it, and an almost raw slice of beef. No vegetables were initially offered; the ones for the table were unsuitable having been prepared in a concoction involving wheat.
My wife and I tried to complain to the staff, who exhibited varying degrees of unconcern and evasion, until my wife was lucky enough to encounter John Crutcher, who seems to be the “House Managerâ€. With genuine and sincere contrition, John was able to produce a small dish of “uncontaminated†vegetables for the Coeliacs.
Although his efforts were genuine, the damage had already been done. The rest of the food was cold, and other tables were already being served their deserts. As it happens, during the delays, we overheard other diners commenting on undercooked vegetables.
By now you could have guessed that the Fresh Fruit Salad would be in a sauce unsuitable for Coeliacs, and you would, of course, be correct.
Once again John rose to the challenge and produced extra appropriate deserts for the Coeliacs, along with profuse apologies.
What he was not told of was the lack of pouring cream for the other Fruit Salads, and the absent white chocolate sauce rumoured to accompany the Cheesecake.
You may think that this complaint is limited to the service received by the Coeliacs, but I would ask you to consider the effect upon you if your wife/partner had received such service, especially on a Ladies’ Night!!!
Both of us, as Masonic husbands of several years’ standing, know of the importance of, and the objectives of the Ladies’ Night celebration. Consequently, we felt that we had let our wives down badly. We were therefore unable to enjoy the meal, due to having to
a) watch the bitter disappointment evident in our spouses, and
b) try to battle the incompetence which was denying proper service to them.
I remember enjoying the soup, but nothing else – I had to eat the rest of my far from satisfying meal, as I am a diabetic and had already taken my insulin.
My friend attempted to finish his meal to avoid creating more embarrassment to his wife and to the rest of the guests at the table.
So, in summary, for the second year running none of the negotiated and clearly described Coeliac courses were provided to the two Ladies, and the gentleman had their evening ruined by the lack of concern and contemptuous attitude shown by Leeds Seventeen staff, the notable exception being the House manager John, who did his best, but had eventually to confirm that there was not the slightest indication that two Coeliac meals had been ordered or prepared.
I understand that the organiser was quoted £18.50 per head for the meal. For what was (not) received, this is overcharging at its most criminally ludicrous. As a recently made redundant and therefore out of work husband on a state income of £64 a week I cannot afford many family evenings out, and will certainly never again waste my time and money and hopes at Leeds Seventeen.
The failures seem to be systemic, and far reaching – as a last point I’ll also note that the drinks prices magically increased by 10p a drink as the night went on - a fitting end to a truly disastrous evening.
Your comments would be appreciated, and will be passed on to the organiser..
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Predictably enough, no comments (not even an acknowledgement) have been forthcoming.
Leeds Seventeen may be fine for "normal" diners, but if you require any deviations from "mass-produced" food, avoid the place like the plague! They promise much, and deliver nothing except deceit.
Alysonp
We dined here last night and the food was superb. I had the belly pork and it was excellent, its clear by the standard of the food that the chef really knows what he is doing!! The venue is nice, although the lighting is rather bright and they could do with a few partitions to divide up the large room, otherwise I cant fault it, the food is on a par with the General Tarleton in Boroughbridge, reccomended!
keithr
We went as a group of four and our friends had already been there before. It was a delightful experience. All the staff were very charming and all the food is locally sourced. The interior is tasteful and the tables are well spaced out. Laundered and starched table linen was great and everything was very clean. My main course was already sold out (suckling pig) which was a bit disappointing early on in the evening.
We will be returning though! We wish them well
Lyd
We went on a Saturday night and unfortunately there was a large party just settling in for the night, which meant that service was very slow and the noise levels weren't great. The food was lovely but not true of the menu description. My prawn and crayfish salad was really enjoyable but had no prawns in it. My partner chose the chargrilled steak which wasn't chargrilled but panfried and definitely not the weight stated on the menu. The ambience lacked a bit of intimacy, a bit of background music and the lights a bit lower would make it a bit more welcoming. I would return as its great value and the service is truly excellent and the food was lovely, if different from the description!
binte
I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area and to people coming from the centre of leeds. The food is yummy and the satff are really friendly too!
I would recommend the blue cheese and beetroot starter although my mum wouldn;t stop going on about the parwn and crayfish salad.
Sheperds pie melts in your mouth and the sticky toffee pudding is a must.
I'll definaltey be going back soon!
Lis @ Roundhay
Went for Sunday Lunch on a whim after finding out about the restaurant on here and checking out their website. We had the three courses for £15 and every dish was fantastic. Beautiful Gravadlax for me whilst my boyfriend had a simple, but wonderful black pudding and bacon salad to start. Then I had the lamb sunday roast with, quite frankly, the best roast potatoes either of us had ever eaten whilst my fella tucked into an awesome chicken pie. However, the highlight of the meal was the treacle sponge, served in a way I've never seen done before (I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but it's a really cool idea) and my fruit salad dessert rounded things off nicely- it's always nice to see fruit as a dessert, its not a cop out, not many places do it and for a weight conscious girlie it's always a welcome surprise!
The dining room is really light and spacious and the whole place is finished to a really high standard. The service was great and the staff left us enough time between courses without making us feel neglected- we didn't feel rushed at all (like in so many places).
To sum up, fantastic food, great service, nice prices, and a voucher for a free bottle of wine next time- bonus!
A great place to spend a Sunday afternoon, get there before everyone else finds out about it!
Andy
Lovely food - simple ideas but done very well. Service was excellent, friendly but not over familiar and the price was very reasonable. Cant fault the place and it is nice to have an option for good food near Alwoodley other than having to go to Chapel Allerton. Will definitely make it a regular place to eat.
Bobby
From the outside the place looks rather odd! But once you get inside the fun begins, the menu is like every dish you love but made better! Try the Shepherds Pie, a classic in its own right but really good when made with fresh Swaledale Lamb. All the food here is made with local ingredients and from local suppliers. Spot on.