High above the twinkling lights of the city the newly opened CrowdedHouse is rapidly becoming the hottest dining ticket in town.

Occupying the 5th and 6^th floors respectively of the Trinity Centre, in what was once home to The Crafthouse and Angelicas, CrowdedHouse is a force to be reckoned with in every single way

From the moment you take the exterior private glass lift from Boar Lane  and you immediately sense an aura of luxury as  you enter this stunning restaurant location.

CrowdedHouse has been lovingly refurbished and elegantly re-designed. It’s a coffee to cocktail venue where  you can enjoy the finest in food, drink and service all day.

The tables are expertly choreographed to give more space and privacy and they have the most comfortable upholstered dining chairs in the city offering the best views wherever you sit.

There’s no shortage of spaces to enjoy a morning coffee, afternoon glass of fizz or cocktail, an aperitif or after dinner drink.  Chose from sinkable sofas inside to the outside terrace with comfortable seating, heated on cooler nights, with large umbrellas to keep either the sun or showers away.

If you ascend to the 6^th floor there’s a circular marble bar and of course tables discreetly placed on the wrap around terrace with a plethora of heaters and blankets to combat the winter chills.

CrowdedHouse has a pastoral garden feeling with trees, plants and flowers  whether you sit inside or out and the finest views in the city. This is a romantic place especially at sunset or late evening under a carpet of silver stars.

The restaurant is also the ideal place for celebrations or get-togethers as it has its own glass walled private dining area . There’s also  a really innovative children’s menu as well as a great breakfast one offering everything from fruit to pastries and more substantial breakfast offerings including the Crosque Monsieur – smoked ham, comte rarebit and a fried egg if you want one added to this French style delight.

But above all CrowdedHouse has a wonderful welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

We arrive and our jackets are taken and we are shown to our table with its gleaming cutlery and sparkling glasses. Our server Tom introduces himself and it may seems cliched but really absolutely nothing is too much trouble for him – besides being a mine of information about the drinks and food menu.

Over  a glass of bubbly we peruse the menu which states on the back ‘refined plate and relaxed pace’ and it certainly is.

The impressive menu is the creation of head chef  and double AA Rosette Winner Simon Jewitt.

Simon’s inspiration for his menu comes from “things that I would like to eat what others might relate to and of course what’s in season”, he says

Starting work in Harrogate in a kitchen at 15 Simon spent a brief time in France and has worked in fine dining restaurants in Leeds as well as in some prestigious restaurants and hotels in Harrogate.

We chose our starters from the small plates menu which is more than tempting if you want to dine tapas style. My colleague chose the Fried Onion Focaccia served with a summer herb butter and smoked mushroom parfait

“I could eat this all day – the parfait takes it to another level. It is smooth and flavoursome” he uttered between mouthfuls. The portion was large and beautifully presented and provided something to nibble right until the end of the main course.

I wanted to go for something different so chose the Heritage New Potatoes served with crispy spring onions, a chicken butter sauce and parmesan crackling.

The potatoes were cooked to perfection smooth inside and the skin outside was crispy. The accompaniment of a chicken butter sauce was perfect. It was smooth and tasty giving  the potatoes added flavour with  the addition of Parmesan crackling giving it a unique finish.

Our main course choice came from the large plates collection. My colleague was seduced by the Mango Glazed Pork Belly. The pork was tender and the mango glaze was not overpowering and gave  a subtle blend to the meat bringing out its flavour. Obviously a lot of time and thought had been given to the presentation and preparation of this dish. It came with candied jalapeno which was pleasingly mild and a crispy egg yolk with a batter casing – an unusual touch.

It’s no secret that I adore fish so the opportunity to feast on cod really made me ecstatic. My butter roasted cod came in the form of a thick steak of cod. Cooked to absolute perfection it was moist, white and succulent with a great taste

It came on a delicious bed of BBQ peas, prosecco scraps, and a caper and roasted bone sauce. This I must admit was one of the most tasteful combinations of a cod meal I have ever tasted – and I have tasted a lot!

My colleague and I shared a portion of house fries – but these were no ordinary fries – these were the ultimate with a crispy outside and a smooth fluffy inside.

In between courses I decided to explore upstairs and the alfresco area beyond the restaurant and was literally overcome by the view – it was just so quiet and almost ethereal above the noise of the city.

The dessert choice is as amazing as the main menu. I went for the most unusual choice on the menu – Toffee Apple Baked Alaska. This was like no other Baked Alaska  had ever experienced anywhere – even on my travels across the globe.

A gooey meringue covered a granny smith apple sorbet  on a home made thin sponge base with a toffee surprise in the bottom which added a surprise sweetness.

My colleague was less adventurous and settled for the Strawberry and Custard Trifle which was tasty and a real comfort food with an amazingly smooth custard and the tasty addition of Tonka Bean Cream.

As the sky around us became darker the stars really did come out and we really had to tear ourselves away from this haven of peace and tranquity high above the city’s twinkling lights.

The CrowdedHouse, Level 5-6 Trinity Centre, 70 Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6KW.

Open: Every Day from 10.00am to Late. Restaurant Open from 12 noon to late

6^th Floor Bar open until 2.00am on Friday and Saturday.

(chef and interior shots by Tom Joy)