Choosyfoody's Qype profile

Ate here on Saturday 4th February for the first time. It had been recommended by a former work colleague of my partner and as he’s a butcher we thought it would be OK to try. We had a long journey ahead of us so booked a table for 3 for 6.30pm and fell through the door at opening time. There’s a nice bar and a spacious yet cosy lounge with big sofas and comfy chairs. Lounge and Restaurant was a bit of an off-putting description for me but that’s what it is and it was a very pleasant surprise. I had to settle for Black Sheep but it was well kept and there was a good choice of draught lagers. Staff couldn’t have been more welcoming, friendly and helpful and we sat with our drinks whilst looking through the menu. The place was cold as the heating had failed, it was sub-zero outside and little more inside. We were told that they were trying to do something about it and after enduring the cold for maybe thirty minutes a battery of electric heaters arrived as friends and family rallied round to keep the show on the road. Food was excellent, fresh and well cooked. My one quibble would be that it was over generous and the huge dishes of chips and salad were overwhelming and so some was wasted. Nevertheless we shall most certainly be back. This local restaurant deserves support and it was really busy by the time we left despite the appalling weather conditions. We’ll definitely be back soon !!!!
Lots of parking spaces and dress code I should say is smart casual. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity on offer.

Friendly welcoming staff, spotless toilets as mentioned by another visitor. Well kept beer but then it’s downhill I’m afraid.
Used to be really good up to about 12 months ago but the boring menu never changes save for a few daily or weekly specials. Food expensive for what it is and the place looked downright miserable over Christmas. No surprise then that the previously bustling restaurant is now frequently empty.
I’ve eaten and drunk there countless times over the years but regrettably time for somewhere with more imagination and better quality food.

I've eaten here many many times over more than 40 years. I don't know where 'the duck' (Nov 1998) gets his information from. This was owned by the Bryan Family I know because I went to Abbey Grange School with John Bryan in the early '60s. I know it's changed hands at least twice since then and I recall a TV documentary about the woman owner.
The restaurant is tired and very dated 1960's decor. The bench seats around the edge are difficult to get into particularly with regard to the older clientele. Service is mediochre sometimes bright and friendly and quick, other times very slow and miserable. The fish is superbly white, just opaque and flaky. The chips are very variable, I once complained that they were limp and saturated with fat and I was told it was because the potatoes weren't in season!!!! It was really because someone in the shop couldn't fry properly because they were replaced with delicious ones crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. The prices are outrageous for what the place is - £4.99 for soup come on get real. I refuse to pay £1.50 for a portion of mushy peas when a huge tin RETAILS for a fraction of this. The place HAS to make a profit, that's only good business sense and they've been there a very long time but they would have far more customers if they were more sensibly priced. Maybe they like it empty and quiet :-) My Aunt loves the place so I take her quite often but if it wasn't for her I'd never go again. The place is always empty when we go although I've seen a dozen in on a Friday lunchtime, all elderly people who probably can't travel further afield. I certainly wouldn't bother with Harry Ramsden's either, just a place living on it's ancient reputation when a fish restaurant (with chandeliers) was unheard of. Bretts in Headingley serve beautiful fish and chips, better I think than Bryans but they too are grossly overpriced and the female proprietor is downright miserable. Nor would I go to Murgatroyds after waiting for 20 minutes in an empty restaurant for someone to take my order and I walked out. The same lack of service applies to Marlowes on Street Lane, I don't know what it is with Fish Restaurants (in Leeds) service seems not to matter. I think a holiday in Thailand would give ALL restaurateurs an idea of just what REAL service is!