As Italian chain restaurants go, Prezzo has proven to be an impressively robust brand with over 20 years of success. Despite this fact, my trip to their venue in The Light was my first Prezzo experience, but it won’t be my last. Tasty food, great wine, expertly mixed cocktails, and friendly service were all there in abundance.
We arrived on a busy late Saturday afternoon to find Leeds as a whole buzzing with energy. Less than two weeks after restrictions were lifted has certainly put a spring back in the city’s step. Amen to that.
To kick things off, we began with a bottle of the highly quaffable Pitau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which perfectly balances the tartness of gooseberry and grapefruit with crisp tropical fruit notes. Very moreish indeed.
The food menu is relatively trim, but all the better for it. Crowd-pleasing small plates, pizza, pasta, and salads are all in check. You won’t struggle even if you have the fussiest of eaters present at your party.
To begin, I went with the excellent Calamari which comes in what can best be described as a Southern-fried crumb (a million miles away from Italy, but who cares when it tastes this good). Perfectly soft and loaded with flavour, the dish is complemented with a side of basil pesto mayo. Delicious.
The King Prawns were another hit, all juicy, plump, and served in a tangy chilli tomato sauce with a side of garlic bread. Mains wise, I skipped my usual option of pizza in favour of the slightly more adventurous Spaghetti Carbonara al Forno.
Topped with crispy prosciutto and pancetta, this was another surprisingly winning dish that had me making a mental note to recreate it at home. Across the table, the Penne Arrabbiata al Forno was also being well received with its rich garlic Pomodoro sauce and blast of chilli heat.
With an evening of drinks on the town followed by a long overdue club visit on the cards, we couldn’t quite find the space for dessert, instead opting for a round of Espresso Martinis. Call us basic, but you can’t go wrong with this cocktail pick-me-up.
Final verdict
In a world where chain restaurants are often vilified in favour of independents, Prezzo deserves their place as one of the UK’s most prominent casual dining brands. Impeccable service, great food and a lively atmosphere can be made to look effortless, but that’s the trick. It isn’t easy. If you’ve not checked Prezzo out, they come highly recommended.
Prezzo Leeds The Light, 16-18 The Light, Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8TL.
Reviewed by Fletch
