SIMPLY THE BEST..... - Leeds Guide

If you find a restaurant that’s bursting at its seams on a mid-week night then it says a lot about its food.

Opened in February in Town Street, Horsforth, Bavette already boasts a large regular clientele of discerning diners who have been won over by this new neighbourhood bistro.

This is the first venture of Head Chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clement Cousin Restaurant Manager and sommelier both of whom have a pedigree of experience that spans some of the most prestigious dining venues in the UK and share a genuine passion for food and wine. Already Bavette has been awarded The Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurant UK 2024 just a few months after opening.

Bavette’s menu, created by Sandy, features seasonally led classically inspired dishes while the destination wine list has wines from Clement’s family’s vineyard as well an excellent range of other wines.

The wonderful thing about Bavette is its intimate relaxed ambience with dark green walls, aged wood and antique mirrors whilst the open kitchen pass allows guests a view into the bustling kitchen.

Tables at Bavette are well choreographed allowing for privacy and the banquette seating that has small tables is very comfortable – but above all it’s a light and airy place with dare I say it personality. The staff are welcoming and genuinely want to make your dining experience one to remember – nothing is too much trouble.

Clement took us through the menu and we decided to use his wine expertise to pair our food with wines from the restaurant’s wine list. This was a very wise move and we were not disappointed by our decision – in fact we were more than pleased.

Bavette sources ingredients from the very best growers and sustainable suppliers including meat from the Yorkshire Dales and the Cornish Ray Wing on the menu is brought up overnight from Cornwall.

My colleague chose the Pork Belly Rillons with Ravigote Sauce and Frisee Salad. The pork was tender and cooked to perfection and the sauce did not overpower the taste of the meat. I decided on the Roast Beetroot, Celeric, Apple and Horseradish Remoulade with a Watercress Salad. This was tasty with the Apple and Horseradish Remoulade taking the dish into a new dimension of taste.

For main course my colleague chose the Bavette, served with Sauce au Poivre, Green Beans, Confit Garlic and Fennel with Seasoned Frites. The steak was perfectly cooked, juicy and tender and the accompaniments were not overpowering giving a really balanced taste to the dish.

I decided on the Crottin de Chevre, Squash and Walnut Tarte Fine which came with a Rocket and Spiced Walnut Salad. This was a work of art. The cheese, squash and walnut was encased in a puff pastry square case – and oh how light was pastry. The French goats cheese had a creamy heart with a sweet and wonderful taste that balanced so well with the squash and walnut.

The dessert menu was particularly enticing to us. My colleague decided immediately on the Baba au Rhum, served with Crème Chantille and a totti of Caribbean Rum. He was in raptures about this sweet as it is rarely on menus and one of his favourites.

My heaven on a plate came in the form of the Chocolate and Hazelnut Marquise, a rich French chocolate dessert served with Pistachio Ice Cream. This was full on chocolate but the Hazelnut balanced the smooth chocolate and made it so palatable and flavoursome.

Our visit to Bavette was one to be savoured and we both agreed we had found the jewel in Horsforth’s dining crown. Bavette is well worth travelling out of the city centre to enjoy its dining experience that’s founded on the owners love of food.