Preview: Neighbourhood Restaurant, Leeds

Already established in Manchester and Liverpool, the New York inspired restaurant and cocktail bar, Neighbourhood is opening in Leeds on Monday 2 October.

I had a sneak preview of the new restaurant which is on Greek Street in Leeds and have to say it is superb and like nothing else in the city. With so many new restaurants opening in Leeds you have to be different to stand out from the competition and Neighbourhood certainly is.

The interior is bright and colourful with something that many restaurants do not have - comfy seating.

More than 1.7 million has been spent on transforming the former Carluccio's restaurant into the new restaurant.

Wisely, they have also spent time and money on training the excellent, knowledgable, obliging and friendly staff, which I experienced on my preview visit. The 2 week intensive training programme has paved dividends for them.

The food menu ranges from small plates to sushi rolls and a main menu includes burgers, seabass, salmon and mushroom risotto. The dessert menu has the scrumptious chocolate fondant served with vanilla ice cream.

The restaurant will take on a different vibe at varying times of the day, for example lunches will include a Sunday roast as well as a weekend menu.

At night the music will alter from the daytime playlist of classics to a more upbeat tempo, with weekend nights having a saxophone player or a percussionist accompanying the DJ.

Or depending on the night there could be an acoustic performance from a singer - all good when you have a dancefloor by the cocktail bar.

There is nothing else like it in Leeds. Dine, Drink and Dance they say.

A classy addition to the Leeds social scene. It seems a top notch operation from my preview.

It is very special and I am sure you will be made to feel special on your visit.

The Neighbourhood, 5, Greek Street, Leeds LS1 5SX
Bookings on: 0113 426 0598
www.neighbourhoodrestaurant.co.uk