Yorkshire boasts three The Ivy locations in their collection, with their latest sibling Ivy Asia coming onto the scene in Leeds two years ago. Ivy Asia has firmly established itself as a jewel in Leeds’s foodie crown but what I really respect about this restaurant is how it doesn’t rest on its reputation; frequent menu additions and innovations means there is always a reason to return.
Enter their newest Ivy Asia culinary offer: The Taste of Asia Two Course Menu for £22.50.
Featuring a selection of Ivy Asia’s signature dishes, it’s touted as being ideal for a weekday business lunch, a leisurely dinner, or a memorable dinner party. Perfect then, I reasoned, for a late lunch to sample the Pan Asian cuisine, with my friend and colleague, Sophie to relax and recharge after a busy day.
As I walk in I’m bowled over by the stunning decor, the exquisite green crystal embellished floor, the pagoda style reception desk and the staircase leading you up to the restaurant. This is an entrance that doesn’t fails to impress.
The attentive staff take our coats and lead us up to the restaurant. As two working women with large camera bags in hand and with Sophie’s very small (not yet weaned) baby Athena in tow, many establishments might not be 100% welcoming, but no fear – there is nothing but a wonderfully warm and helpful service extended.
In the restaurant, there’s finely furnished satin covered chairs and booths to match the staffs smarts jackets. Plush cushions scattered around for comfort and decoration, not to mention the ornamental mirror clad walls and golden ceiling. Every detail is precisely delivered, even down to the lotus flower napkin holders and chopstick holders. The word ‘Instagrammable’ doesn’t do it justice; it’s an oriental fairytale of a setting.
“How wonderful!” exclaims my friend Sophie as she spots that chopsticks have been laid out and knives and forks are the additional option. Sophie is of dual heritage (English and Chinese) and this is, she remarks, a detail she appreciates as it is missing in many a south East Asian restaurant in this country.
The waitress quickly took our orders and we were served with a stunning mocktail called Dreams of Cherry Blossom. The pink candy floss inside the cocktail glasses paired perfectly with the faux cherry blossom trees decorating the restaurant. The waitress then poured the mocktail into the glass on top of the candy floss with edible flowers floating up. All delicate touches to add to the experience.
The menu itself is £22.50 for two courses which is extremely reasonable for the variety and style of the dishes. If you wanted edamame or sesame and prawn toast or crispy wontons for the table on top of the two courses it’s between £4.75 – £7.25 per portion.
Starters include Prawn Nori Rolls with avocado, mushroom gyozas and more.
We opted for the Mushroom Gyozas and the Spicy Avocado Salad (I’ll be honest we both wanted the gyoza) but decided to be more adventurous and share two different starters between us. The gyoza arrived on a long platter doused in a yuzu dressing and was delicious with the zesty flavouring cutting through the mushrooms.
The avocado salad arrived with a spicy tomato salsa and dressing. The large portion of avocado was thinly sliced and served on a circular small plate. It was delicious and filling but not overbearing.
For our mains, I had the Aromatic Duck Fried Rice, whilst Sophie decided upon the Clay Pot Chickpea and Green Pepper Curry, and sides of spring greens and roasted aubergine. Again we were able to share the two dishes between us due to the South East Asian fusion food being served in a tapas dining style – the curry was fresh, light and had a massaman curry style flavour. The shredded crispy duck with rice, was a delightful texture with sambal, ginger and spring onion.
The sides are optional extras but delicious in their own right especially the aubergine with pickled ginger.
We were nicely full after grazing, chatting and drinking mocktails. While we didn’t need desserts, on seeing the menu, we just had to try a couple to continue our experience. Plus they were only £5 extra.
The desserts are showstoppers. I had a Crème Brulee with a thin biscuit on top and a mini wooden hammer to break through and then crack into the dessert. Decadent and creamy.
Sophie tried the freshly made donuts with a lemon dip, light warm and just divine. We couldn’t finish the doughnuts so we took some in a stylish Ivy Asia takeout box. Even the take out box was Insta-worthy!
Before we left, I polished off a blood orange mocktail while Sophie had a strong black coffee.
This is without a doubt the kind of place where you could spend hours eating and drinking with friends, escaping the outside world as you get lost in this cosy yet palatial style setting.
It’s affordable luxury with impeccable service. Ivy Asia keeps raising the (highly decorative, pagoda-style) bar and the Leeds foodie scene is all the better for it.
The Taste of Asia Menu is available all day on Monday and Tuesday, and between 11:30am – 5:30pm Wednesday to Friday from 15th April.
To book a table, visit https://theivyasia.com/book-a-table/
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
Feature image supplied
