Chinese Buffet that is relaxed and unhurried

Crown Buffet, Leeds

This place to eat has made it into the top ten places for the over thirties to go in Leeds and Yorkshire because of its relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. We stayed for over two hours, consumed at least three buffet plates each and trawled through our French holiday photos on the laptop. Refreshingly there was no constant hassling from the staff about buying more drinks or hints about moving on as there can be in some establishments.

The Crown Buffet is located on Gower Street which is just on the edge of Leeds’ poor excuse for a China Town, at the north end of the city centre. The website map is very helpful. There is a handy car park and the entrance is welcoming. The surroundings are bright and clean. A member of staff showed us to a table and took our drink orders immediately. We opted for the two for one offer on Bejiing bottled beer which was crisp, light and refreshing.

The starter highlights of the self service buffet were the soft, tasty prawn balls in a sesame crumb, crunchy, crisp seaweed and succulent prawn toast. Plus the plates were nice and hot. For the mains mushroom and chilli was salty and hot with a beefy depth, prawn in oyster sauce was resplendent in its garlic laden broth and light Singapore style vermicelli dotted with shrimp and char su pork nuggets were highlights. Dessert did not disappoint with creamy profriteroles, minature slices of black forest gateau and two cheescakes, fruit including lychees and fruit jelly, coconut milk pudding, crunchy toffee banana (banana fritters) and the piece de resistance soft vanilla ice cream from a dispenser evoking childhood memories of summer afternoons.

During our visit the restaurant got quite busy with several people choosing the serve yourself takeaway option. There is some lack of atmosphere here perhaps due to the fact that the building used to house a cookery school and this was the canteen. However good company will always compensate and the toilets are modern and clean with paper towels, always a bonus.

The food isn’t outstanding but it’s good and there’s plenty of it, including vegetarian and vegetable only dishes. However what makes the Crown Buffet well worth visiting is that it is slightly off the beaten track and so doesn’t tend to get over crowded and you are never rushed or pressured in any way. These days that makes this a rare find.

The Crown Buffet (Chinese), Gower Street, Leeds LS2 7PX


Tel:0113 242778
www.crownbuffet.com

Leeds - Top 10 Places To Go for over thirties

Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds Centre

                     

Leeds City Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute, The Headrow, Leeds Centre

                                      

Leeds City Museum, Milleneum Square, Leeds Centre

                                         

Mr Foleys Ale House, The Headrow, Leeds Centre

                                         Crown Buffet (Chinese), Leeds

                                     The Midnight Bell, Water Lane, Leeds

                                         The Victoria, Leeds Centre

                                 

                                        Golden Acre Park, Leeds

See "The Rhinos" play at Headingley Stadium, St Michaels Lane, Leeds 6

                   

                                

Opera in the Park (Temple Newsam House) annually in July

Leeds sightseeing tour good value at weekend

“Seven pound fifty, that’s a lot” quiped my seventy four year old dad when I told him of my plan to literally road test the Leeds city sightseeing tour by bus and boat. I was filled with some trepidation when I looked at the online timetable at www.yorkshire.com only to discover that the bus we wanted to catch for the hour long tour (outside the Playhouse,12.20 pm) didn’t arrive at the next stop (Clarence Dock) until 1.15 pm. Also some of the reviews that I read had been less than favourable but I needn't have worried.

It was with the powerful knowledge that that the 12.20pm Playhouse stop was not the best starting point that we embarked on the 13.27 pm from Leeds City train station. Tickets were purchased from the Tourist Information office and staff were very helpful.

The bus itself was only a few minutes late, quite remarkable considering Leeds United were at home to Swansea, and there was a considerable police presence in evidence to control some rather bemused looking welsh fans, who appeared to be trapped behind a huge iron barred gate. We hurried to the top deck as we intended to take some photos. The bus was clean, comfortable and not at all crowded.

The tour began at quite a pace and the commentary, which started immediately, it quickly became apparent was going to be quality and interesting. In addition the perspective we were getting of my home city was totally novel. I had no idea there were so many beautiful statues on the roofs of the victorian, city centre buildings.

As we picked up the bus from stop 4, the Railway Station our circuit comprised of : 5 – Millenium Square, 6 – University, 7 – Woodhouse lane, 8 – The Light, 9 – City Square, 10 – Boar lane, 11 – Victoria Quarter, 12 –West Yorkshire Playhouse, 1 – Clarence Dock, 2 – Crown Point Road and 3 – Boar Lane.

A cacophony of interesting facts about the city of Leeds, from the origins of the Civic Hall to the achievements of Cuthbert Broderick, entertained us throughout the tour and continued when the bus was stationary. Our transport slowed down too making it feasible to take photos throughout. An added bonus was that the sun was shining and we felt like royalty as we headed down Boar Lane gazing down on the little people!

We alighted at Clarence Dock (Royal Armouries) as this was where to catch the city cruise from. This is included in the price of the ticket at the weekend only. We had a little while to wait but you can pop in to the free Armouries museum or stroll along the towpath to kill the 45 minutes. When our boat arrived it was a traditional canal barge, modern, comfortable and cheerful inside with soft cushions and fairy lights. The choice of muzac was a little strange being a sort of Dizzee Rascal meets Chuck Berry fusion but this added to a nicely sedate party atmosphere.

There was a drinks menu and our orders were taken very quickly, just as well as the cruise is only 30 minutes long but what a fantastically relaxing experience. This part of the river is so peaceful and attractive with some of the more authentic new developments to admire. Despite being in the heart of the city we couldn’t hear a thing even with the windows open.

The route took us from Clarence Dock to Brewery Wharf then Granary Wharf. Not far at all but our barge went really slowly giving plenty of chance to admire all that we sailed past. I came away thinking that I would definitely hire this boat for a special occasion and took a leaflet supplying details.

This was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. Having the river cruise as well as the bus tour really provided value for money. Had we paid £7.50 for the bus tour alone I’m not sure we would have been quite as enthusiastic. However if you begin your tour in the morning then you would be able to use the bus to visit a variety of different attractions in the city throughout the day,being able to get on and off at hourly intervals.

Users should be aware however that there is no service between 12.20 and 13.15 when the driver has his lunch and the service then becomes more infrequent in the afternoon. However overall I would recommend this experience as eminently suitable for the over thirties and a must do for anyone visiting leeds for the first time.

You will need to be quick though as the season finishes for this year on 31st October 2010.

Leeds City Sightseeing – www.city-sightseeing.com Phone 01423 566061

Leeds City Cruisers – www.leedscitycruisers.co.uk Phone: 0845 388 4901

Tickets can be purchased from Leeds Tourist Information at Leeds Railway station or on board the bus.

News about historic Kirkgate, Leeds

10 September 2010

Demolition for historic First White Cloth Hall in Leeds

The cloth hall features on English Heritage's list of historical buildings which are at risk.

Part of a historical Leeds property is being pulled down after problems were found in an adjoining building.The Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall in Kirkgate, which was built in 1711, is derelict and there are plans to rebuild it.

The city council said the neighbouring building was at risk of collapse and could pose a risk. Materials gathered from the demolition will be stored and used to rebuild the cloth hall at a later date.

Kirkgate, one of the main routes through the city centre, has been closed for a week while the demolition - paid for by the neighbouring building's owner - takes place.

Closure 'unfortunate'

The council said: "This road closure will be in place for one week, allowing enough time for the building's frontage to be taken down, allowing machines to operate from the front of the building. "Once the frontage has been taken down, the demolition and archaeological recording works will continue at the back of the building and the road can be re-opened. "Diversions have been put in place for motorists.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council's executive board member for development, said: "Kirkgate is obviously a busy city centre road and we do not take such decisions lightly. "It's unfortunate that the closure has to take place, but it really is for the safety of the public and motorists."

The cloth hall features on English Heritage's "at risk" list of historical monuments needing urgent repairs. It is to be rebuilt as part of a £1m makeover of Kirkgate, the oldest street in Leeds, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund cash.

Kendell's Bistro (French), Leeds

Restaurant Review

You get the feeling of entering a twilight world below the streets of Paris as you descend from street level down a short staircase inside the entrance of this hidden French bistro. Tucked away down a side street next to The Wardrobe and opposite BBC Yorkshire and Aagrah, this is a little piece of France in the heart of the English city.

We are met by a smiling waitress who ushers us through the candle light to the strains of a Gaelic balladeer. The candles themselves are something to behold with ancient wax droppings creating a sea of white across the tables, evoking a sense of antiquity. Even though it is before 6pm on a Thursday there are already other diners present, a testament to Kendell’s popularity. We booked in advance just in case.

Quickly seated comfortably at our table, a small bread basket promptly arrives containing warm french bread slices. The menu from which we are choosing is the “Teatime at Kendells”, pre-theatre option and indeed we are asked if we need to leave at a particular time, a thoughtful touch. The choices are chalked up on a wall mounted blackboard which adds to the authenticity, and we are close enough not to need the binoculars which are provided on request. We opt for 3 courses with wine at £22.95 each.

Our orders are taken quickly but we do not feel rushed and we have already been supplied with wine – a half bottle each of house red and white, both palatable but rather watery. However as this is primarily a beverage to wash down food we are unperturbed. A large jug of iced and lemoned tap water is also provided on request.

The starter of Gratin Lyonnaise is delicious, the soup itself  flavoursome and rich with a good amount of cheese on the slices of fried crouton. The only slight criticism would be the taste of frying oil that overwhelms the soup in parts. The black pudding with apple sauce is perfectly balanced but the portion a little on the small side.

Our main courses are the stars of the show. The Salmon en croute is exceptional in a beautifully rich tomato beurre blanc accompanied by crushed garlic potatoes to die for. The Porc Boulangere is a huge dish with deliciously soft meat surrounded by crisp crackling basking in a herby broth with potatoes and vegetables. We are really too full for dessert but as it is part of our set menu we succumb. The selection of sorbets is suitably light providing a good balance of sharp and sweet, and the “floating island”, comprising egg whites atop a delicious cold, viscous crème anglaise was just right.

This is a seriously decadent experience in terms of both food and ambience. The service was excellent, being both attentive and unobtrusive. Overall a fantastic experience, however the pre-theatre set menu is very substantial and rich and probably deserves to be savoured and saved for, at such a reasonable price, frequent special occasions.

www.kendellsbistro.co.uk, info@kendellsbistro.co.uk


Kendells Bistro

St Peters Square

Leeds

LS9 8AH