HIGH UP ABOVE THE CITY'S TWINKLING LIGHTS

IS THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN

Set high above the twinkling lights of the city Crafthouse and Angelica are just the most stunning locations for food and drink in Leeds.

Since they opened around 10 years ago these two sister venues on the 5^th and 6^th floors respectively of Trinity have always been the hottest ticket in town. The reason is their aura of luxury and exclusivity which starts the moment you enter their private lifts.

Our evening began with cocktails at Angelica and although it was a near freezing evening we decided to sit on the wrap round terrace to take in the view of the city which in the evening takes on a different mantle is quite beautiful.

We needn’t have worried about being cold sitting on the terrace as it has a plethora of heaters, sheep skins over the chairs and cosy blankets to wrap round if you begin to feel the chill.

Summer or winter this is a really romantic place to sit, especially at sunset, sip cocktails, enjoy an aperitif or a sharing platter and wine.

There is seating inside the leafy cocktail bar with greenery and floral décor around the circular marble bar giving it a real garden feel.

The cocktail list is very comprehensive with different tastes from every corner of the world and some great twists on the classics.

I decided on the Midnight Dream with Chambord, vodka, lemon juice, cherry marmalade and aquafaba, which was very palatable and refreshing whilst my colleague went for the Walters Martini with Chambord, gin, orange liquer and rhubarb bitters and certainly had no complaints about it!

Although the bar was not busy our cocktails did take a very long time to arrive which made it a rush to make our dinner booking although we had arrived in plenty of time.

After savouring, albeit rather rushed, our cocktails we made our way down to Crafthouse. Dining here is an experience not to be forgotten. It’s like sitting up in the clouds it really gives you a real ethereal feeling.

Lots of greenery, plants, small trees and shrubs have been introduced to the restaurant since my last visit and this adds a relaxing vibe. The restaurant has a terrace which in summer must be great for dining alfresco and a marble bar sits in front of the open kitchen which is a great design touch.

Our server apologized for the wait before taking our order but we enjoyed just taking in the views from this sky top eatery. I ordered the Citrus Cured Salmon for my starter and I was not disappointed. The salmon’s texture was perfect and the pickled cranberry and sorrel gave it a great tangy taste.

My colleagues Beignet was amazing. It came piping hot in a equally warm pot. The leek and sage velouté had chopped hazelnuts and a potato beignet. The portion was very generous and the whole dish was very flavoursome.

For mains my colleague ordered Salt Aged Duck Breast. This was cooked and presented exactly as it should be and it was very tender served with a smooth and tasty sauce. The braised Little Gem Lettuce was a great touch whilst the Damson and Pedro Ximenez Jelly enhanced the flavour of the duck.

And what can I say about my choice? Cod – a fish I really love in fact my favourite. Having ordered it literally thousands of times in restaurants, hotels and even on cruise liners – never have I had it cooked, served and presented as this was – it was totally a triumphant piece of cuisine.

The cod was cooked to perfection. It was white, succulent and had lots of taste but it was the presentation that really excited me – it was not a flat chunk but had been arranged and decorated in a sort of cone form. The creamed sprout and celeriac slaw had a great taste but wasn’t too strong to overpowering. The taste of the cod combined with this slaw and the verjus butter sauce gave a fusion of flavours to this jewel in the crown of a dish.

We shared a side of Kale Salad with yoghurt and puffed grain with a smooth and tangy dressing – a little unusual but absolutely delicious.

Crafthouse has a great pudding menu with some real different choices alongside the old favourites and what really impressed us was the dessert cutlery setting included a spoon and a dessert fork – something very rare now in even the top end restaurants.

For her heaven on a plate my colleague decided on the Bergamot Tart. The pastry case was crispy and filled with a very tangy Mandarin cream diplomat and being this type of cream it enabled the tart to be presented with swirls of cream and what’s more you could really taste the mandarin

The dessert was not overly sweet and the meringue content just melted in your mouth.

I opted for the Rhubarb Delice which was a little bland and the portion was really miniscule in fact dolls house size!

The delice slice was on an Amaretto sponge with poached Rhubarb, fennel pollen and honey mousse an unusual combination.

Both Crafthouse and Angelica is a place to make memories in. The staff are helpful and obliging and the general ambience is wonderful.

After our meal we couldn’t resist another visit to Angelica to try another cocktail as a special treat and savour the view from the top of the world (or so it seemed).

Crafthouse, Level 5 Trinity, 70 Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6HW. Tel: 0113 897 0444

Opening Hours – Mon – 17.00-21.03; Tues 12.00-14.30 & 17.00 – 21.30; Wed-Thurs 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-22.00; Fri-Sat 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-23.30; Sunday 12.00-16.45