A RESTAURANT THAT EPITOMISES THE ERA OF GRACIOUS LIVING

IN THE VERY CENTRE OF THE CITY

Situated in a Grade 2 building that dates back to Georgian times The Lost and Found Leeds Club has a remarkable ambience and proudly displays a blue plaque on the outside as a testament to its remarkable history

Built as a private residence in 1820 in 1849 it was given a new facade and became an exclusive private gentleman’s club which it remained until 2013.

With the passage of time it still retains its beautiful 19^th century interiors with high plaster carved ceilings and coved borders, a wide wooden staircase, a tiled floor and wonderful gold embellished marble pillars.

The restaurant has been carefully restored so as to lose non of its charm or history with potted palms, leather chesterfields and marble fire places.

Enter The Lost and Found Leeds Club and its like stepping back in time – you expect to see an Edwardian gentleman sitting in one of the winged chairs, smoking a huge cigar and perhaps reading a copy of The Leeds Mercury.

On the lower floor is a large airy bar with lots of breakout area that has a rustic feel or you can choose to sit in the former hall-way with its leather chairs. Climb the stairs and you will find the restaurant with large windows looking out to the street below and you cannot fail to notice the beautiful original coving that wraps around the room.

To start with I opted for Pil Pil Prawns sautéed in chilli, garlic and lemon butter. These were served with chargrilled sourdough which sadly was just a tad too hard and rather cold.

My colleague’s Bang Bang Cauliflower with roasted red onions, chilli and ginger was spicy but not overpowering and the blend was perfect – verdict a delicious starter.

For main I decided on the Masala Fish and Chips but with ordinary triple cooked chips not the masala spiced triple cooked chips and this was not a problem at all. The fish was succulent, tasty and the thick steak of cod had a poppy seed crispy batter whilst the accompanying minted pea raita and mango chutney were tasty. Fish and chip lovers take note this is an experience to savour.

The Lost and Found prides itself on its steak and my colleague chose the 8oz Fillet Steak. It was cooked exactly as requested and very flavoursome and tender. It came with confit tomatoes, triple cooked chips and buttermilk onion rings. He added a Bearnaise sauce which was perfectly balanced.

We decided to wait a while for our desserts as portions are quite large at this restaurant.

Warm sticky toffee pudding with a ginger poached pear and gingerbread ice cream was my colleagues choice for dessert. The combination was perfect and the pudding was just as it should be ultra sticky with the ginger pear and ice cream diffusing the over-sweet taste that one often gets with this dish.

My dessert was certainly heaven on a plate. Banana and Miso Caramel Bomb was all my favourites encapsulated into the ultimate pudding. Banana ice cream had been encased in a dark chcolate dome with caramelised seeds and honeycomb and was serve with hot miso caramel sauce – what an amazingly tasty combination.

Descending the stairs and leaving Lost and Found Leeds Club I almost imagined a tailcoated doorman opening the doors so I could climb into my horse drawn carriage such is the ambience of The Lost and Found Leeds Club.