Sunday Lunch At The Woods, Chapel Allerton, Leeds

The calendar says it is May yet when I step outside it still feels much like early March. Thankfully The Woods at Chapel Allerton have a good setup with plenty of overhead heaters to make it feel more like July.

I had been recommended to try the Sunday lunch experience at The Woods. I got the impression it is a trendy place to dine. Yes, it is stylish and there is plenty of covered outdoor dining with very friendly staff. Looking around though if you are on the wrong side of 35 you might feel old.

Served from 12pm to 8pm the Sunday menu has plenty of pizzas to choose from, but why eat Italian food when you could be indulging in a Roast Beef dinner, or a steak pie or even pork belly?

I had heard that some people did not like the Roast Beef because it was served rare, but it does say that it is served as such on the menu!

I tried the Roast Chicken breast basted in rosemary, garlic and thyme butter served with roast potatoes, roast carrots, tender stem broccoli, creamy mash, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

The chicken was succulent and tender and I could not have cooked it better myself. The rosemary, garlic and thyme butter did not detract from the flavour of the chicken. It was a copious chicken breast, but for some there might not be enough vegetables when the price is £15.00 for the meal.

My sister decided upon the Cheese and Onion pie served with the same accompaniments as my meal. Good crust too. The pie apparently tasted like it had been made with some proper cheddar. It is one of those combinations that work together like Ant and Dec or Morecambe and Wise. Again the price is £15.00 for this classic pie that hails from Lancashire, but tastes just as good at The Woods in Yorkshire.

The dessert menu is not large but for £4.50 you have 4 choices or the Vegan Biscoff and Banana Flapjack at £3.50. Apparently the wife of one of the bartenders makes the desserts.

The Biscoff Chocolate Brownie is meant to be served warm, but mine came as cold as the breeze blowing outside. Even so it was a deep and rich brownie served with Northern Bloc vanilla ice cream.

My sister tried the Lemon Tart served with raspberries and crème fraîche. A zestful treat that came with a strong aftertaste.

The inside of The Woods has that funky design you might find in a trendy New York diner. There is a small outside terrace on the upper floor with picnic table style seating too.

Because of the decor and the pleasant staff it does feel different, though the food is the star of the show.

After being locked away for months it certainly felt good to get out into The Woods.

The Woods, 5 Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PG
Telephone 0113 307 0111
http://www.thewoods-leeds.com/