LEEDS is pretty saturated with dark-walled, gilt-mirrored cocktail bars, so how’s a relative newcomer to go about standing apart from the crowd?
This cocktail bar used to be a ‘gentleman’s club’, and is subsequently pretty hidden away
Since opening in December, New Briggate cocktail bar Vice & Virtue has built up quite a buzz with its range of innovative cocktails and sexy 1920s art deco theme, now they’re launching a tasting menu under the expert guidance of award-winning Leeds chef, Luke Downing.
That’ll do it.
Downing is adorned with awards; best chef, best suburban restaurant… you get the picture. And he’s not messing about. The aim of Vice & Virtue’s new menu is to bring seasonal, local products to the forefront, making them sing with some unusual ingredients.
There will be a number of tasting menus, with the option to pair each course with complementing drinks if that’s your kind of thing. Courses are matched up with sparkling sake and muscat as well as the usual selection of wines, so there’s a good chance you’ll also end up both drinking and eating something you’ve never tried before.
Top picks from the new menus include trout with fresh greens, golden beets with rose and aromatics, and a decadent sticky toffee pudding with kumquat - though the plan is for the menu to change every few weeks. It’s always nice to relinquish control to a set menu rather than deliberating over your choices for ages. Chances are, you won’t be disappointed.
Most of the menu is gluten-free, and they’ve got a thoughtful vegetarian and pescetarian selection on offer too, offering something other than goat’s cheese and mushrooms. A rare treat! The tasting menus are reasonably priced considering the quality of the ingredients featured. There’s a fast fix pre-theatre selection, and those who relish a challenge can even dive into a ten-course meal (we’ll be back for that).
What about the space? This cocktail bar used to be a ‘gentleman’s club’, and is subsequently pretty hidden away in the city’s up-and-coming Northern Quarter. They’ve given it an art deco facelift with plenty of black paint and gold accents (plus the obligatory silver stag’s head on the wall). The dining space upstairs still feels like it needs finishing off, but with tinkling piano music and sparkling crockery, it’s a sophisticated start.
The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, which makes a world of difference when you’re curious about everything on your plate; where it came from, what its inside leg measurement is etc. The expert chefs are even happy to meet you face-to-face to create your own set menu if you fancy something specific. Impressive stuff.
With the new menu launched on 10th September, Vice & Virtue is looking like it’s about to kick up a gear - and you should definitely be there to check it out.
Vice & Virtue, 68 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
Written by Kerry Griffiths
