Leila_Alice's Qype profile

Once the Crazy Carrot, then the Stonebake Pizza Company, now a different name entirely (which currently escapes me). It certainly produced some quality pizzas whilst both Crazy & Stonebaked, I hazard the best delivery pizzas in York.
However, rumours are milling that with the new name comes new staff.
I've docked a star until I can be sure the standards haven't slipped.

Cracking local Indian. Everyone knows curry is good for the soul & the people of the Groves are very lucky souls indeed. Superb value dishes & it's BYOB too.

Now called Chinatown. Vastly superior.

Vastly superior neighbourhood Cantonese. Fresh flavours abound, worth the above average prices. Don't even think about trying their cheaper neighbour.

A fab deli a little way out of the city centre, but worth the wander.
Stocked to the rafters with local products, interesting takes on store cupboard basics and some exotic treats too.
The business is run by a very friendly chap, Phil I think, who is both fantastic crack and impeccably polite. Arrive at the right time and he may offer you a sample and ask for your opinion - more lemon? more salt? bit of chilli?
Through the week they do a hot special at lunch, normally two I think, at least one veggie. Today's delight was fruity Jamaican veg curry, served with nutty brown rice, some spicy spuds and a sprinkling of bombay mix for the princely sum of £3.
I've also had sausage casserole with buttered greens, bbq-ed spatchcock chuck and warm poached salmon with capers to name but a few.
There is also a multitude of sarnies on offer, along with salad boxes, made using the deli meats etc.
And then when you fancy something sweet there are the homemade pastries, cakes and general tasty bits. The strawberry and rhubarb muffin I had the other day was exceptional.
I've also heard rumours that they do outside catering, and I know they've made mince pies for a friends Xmas party.
I just wish it was a bit closer to my office...

A teeny tiny deli, stuffed to the rafters with interesting tasty fodder.
It has now extended next door and has a teeny tiny cafe out the back of the extension.
Cakes are interesing and on the whole excellent. The cappucino is a work of art. Soups and interesting stews are available for lunches, but I've yet to sample them despite the mouthwatering aromas.
I'd have given them an extra star, if there was room to swing a cat in the original deli. Instead of spreading stock across both buildings the extension shop has lots of space and I still can't fit in the other bit if I'm carrying any other shopping. Also the fresh produce outside always looks a bit tired.
But if you can squeeze in, get one of the pasties. Yum. Or maybe some sticky toffee cake. Decisions. Decisions.

What a cracker!
Turned up here about nine pm on a Friday night, having been in the Didsbury next door since about 7pm. We were approaching well oiled. By no means were we rowdy, but perhaps not as respectable as other diners.
Staff found us a table, treated us with utmost professionalism and served us some delicious food. Simple ideas executed well using top ingredients is a winning formula.
And I hope they continue to win, and that I get a chance to sample their spoils sober.

First things first, do not come here on a weekend evening or Sunday lunchtime if you are looking for speedy service. Properly mixed drinks, properly cooked south east asian food and proper good roasts take time.
An independent bar split over two floors, fronted by an off licence, augmented by an internet cafe, the best cocktails in town, some cracking Asian food, a bit of patio with a Minster view if you really crane your neck, an ecceltic playlist, uber trendy louche bar staff, the best selection of soft drinks in town and the most popular Sunday roast.
A victim of its own success, it really does get crowded and staff sometimes spend longer working on perfecting their alternative cool than working the bar, but the most interesting bar around.
If I don't end up there at some point over a weekend, I'm clearly not in York.

A new Thai restaurant in the shell of an old York stalwart.
I've only been once, and it's only just opened, so I may come back to review again later.
There is a lunchtime two course menu available which represents superb value. Tasty noodle dishes, stir fires and a couple of curries make up the mains, a few out of the ordinary. The starters, I would like to see some more interesting choices, but my satay was tasty enough.
I certainly go back again at lunch, and will seek out an opportunity to try the evening menu too.

Where to start?
Sichuan cuisine is currently the darling of the London dining scene, setting appetites and mouths afire.
Red Chilli started out in Lancashire and now has a number of restaurants across the North, with rumours of a possible London outpost always circulating.
The menu is extensive, featuring some Chinese restaurant staples and plenty of excitingly exotic options. I would say you are cheating yourself if you stick to the bog standard pseudo Cantonese options, and you really should just go to a restaurant that specialises in pseudo Cantonese. However, if you experiment you will be rewarded.
Rewarded with lip smackingly, tongue tinglingly tasty, non-gloppy, non-MSG, gourmet delights.
The chilli ratings can be a little irratic, but I've never had anything I couldn't palate. And you can always order extra steamed rice.
Food will all arrive at once, unless you specify otherwise, as this is the Chinese way. It is assumed everyone is sharing everything. And to be fair this is by far the best way to experience the variety available.
Top picks - Bejing dumplings (order as soon as you arrive as they take 20 odd mins to arrive), spring onion bread, hot poached lamb (wow), green beans with chilli mince meat (double wow). Whatever you order make sure you add a portion of greens, steamed rice and wash it all down with free Chinese tea.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum.