Bibis Italianissimo - Leeds

 

 Bibis was a restaurant that people Dan worked with had recommended. Needless to say, we ate there the first month we were in Leeds and I am just now writing it up. I, personally would not recommend this place, unless you sat in the bar and ordered apps and drinks. The pizza was good as were the Prawns Diavola, but the meal it self was bad and overpriced. The Pollo Parmigiana that I ordered was down right disgusting and pretty much inedible. The eggplant was slimy and the chicken was a little on the strange side, I never could figure out how they cooked it. Dan had the Tortellini Carne and it was just okay. The service was slow and inattentive, I suppose that's why they automatically add the gratuity. That in itself is reason enough not too eat there. They do serve Peroni Gran Reserva, which is a plus and a wonderful beer, but not enough to get me back. The meal came to 66 pounds, which is 90 American, that's way to expensive for bad Italian!

 

Skipton Castle

 

Skipton Castle, one of Britain's best preserved castles, over 900 years old.

Bean Loved - Skipton

Another small Yorkshire town that Dan and I enjoy is Skipton. It's a short train ride from Leeds, being only 25 miles northwest of here. There's a wonderful castle that is over 900 years old and one of the best preserved in Britain. They also have a fun street market that goes up and down the high street. We just happened upon this lovely little cafe called Bean Loved the first time we were there and have gone back every time. Visiting the castle and lunching at Bean Loved is just about as close to a perfect day as you will have.

They serve up really good cups of coffee and hot tea, amazing home made soups and the world's best Cheese and Cheese Toastie that you'll ever eat. That sandwich makes me want to hop a train right now. It's just an ooey, gooey, cheesy bit of heaven on some tasty toasted bread. The place is small with tables on 2 floors. You order at the counter and they bring the food when it's ready. The staff is friendly and very willing to answer all you questions with a smile. They are located just off of High Street at 17 Otley St, Skipton BD23 1DY.

Stonehenge

 

 

 

Bettys - Harrogate

 

 

 

Harrogate is one of mine and Dan's favorite Yorkshire towns. It's just a 30 minute train ride through beautiful rolling countryside from Leeds. We decided to make reservations there, at Bettys, on New Years Eve day, so that we could finally partake in a proper British afternoon tea. Bettys is a wonderful bakery, teashop, restaurant, tearoom...that had locations in York, Ilkley, Northallerton and Harrogate. Typically you stand in a long line to dine here but they were taking reservations for New Years Eve and we jumped at the chance.

We decided to start our tea with a little bit of bubbly and ordered the Hebrat Premier Cru Champagne making our tea 33.95 pounds a person as opposed to 26.95. The service was wonderful and the perfect way to end a great year. So with a piano playing in the background we enjoyed the following sandwiches:
Prawn marie rose and oak roast salmon, roast Yorkshire ham & mustard, Coronation chicken and free-range egg mayonnaise & cress along with freshly baked sultana scones with strawberry preserve and Yorkshire clotted cream, a selection of handmade miniature cakes and of course a teapot of speciality tea. Both of us chose the China Yunnan, a fragrant tea that has a distinctive sweet taste and light golden color.

Bettys is located at Parliament Street Harrogate HG1    www.bettys.co.uk

Las Iguanas - Leeds

Las Iguanas is one of those places I have walked by many times, but never thought of eating there. They are a chain of restaurants offering Latin food, including Spanish and Mexican. Dan and I have been craving Mexican food and this looked to be about as close as we could get in Leeds. We decided to eat lunch here on Christmas eve and it was okay. Zara was our server and she was friendly and efficient as she presented us with about 3 menus. Dan ordered a hot tea (1.90 pounds) and I had a Brahma Beer (3.70). Ordering the food was a little on the confusing side, there were so many choices. I don't know how a restaurant can offer so many things. We chose off the lunch menu with me ordering the Blazing Bird (7.70) a half chicken grilled with spicy barbecue jerk sauce and a side of slaw and salad. Dan had the Gringas (5.50), which was a tortilla upon another tortilla stuffed with Tinga (Mexican smoked chipotle chicken). He was able to order a side of Nachos for 2.90 that we both shared. The nachos were very good, topped with melted cheese, jalapenos, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. The rest of the food was okay and did not quench our appetite for Mexican.

Unit 3
Cloth Hall Street
Leeds
LS1 2HD
Tel: 0113 243 9533
Fax: 0113 244 3696
leeds@iguanas.co.uk