Councillors approved extending La Feria’s premises licence so the restaurant on Cold Bath Road can serve guests on its outdoor terrace until 11pm.
The new arrangement will be valid between April and September and means diners can now use its outdoor terrace later than 9pm, which was previously allowed.
La Feria, which is the trading name of Whaddya Know? Ltd, had a temporary licence for outdoor seating until 11pm last summer. North Yorkshire Council officer Wan Malachi confirmed to councillors on the licensing sub-committee today that the restaurant received no noise complaints during this period.
However, the application received three objections from residents near to the restaurant with one person saying late-night outdoor dining would “significantly impact our peace and quiet”.
The building was previously a pub for many years and was known as the Old Tradition, the Honest Lawyer and the Iron Duke.
The restaurant offers Spanish cuisine from the Andalusia region and opened on Cold Bath Road in 2016 after moving from a smaller premises on Royal Parade.
During the licensing meeting at Harrogate’s Civic Centre this afternoon (April 26), general manager Sarah Johnson told councillors the restaurant enjoys being part of the Cold Bath Road community and staff ask guests to be respectful when leaving.
Ms Johnson said:
“We are very sensitive to the neighbours and want to live in harmony with everybody on Cold Bath Road.”
Sarah Johnson
She added that regulars have requested the extension until 11pm and the more relaxed hours would help the business grow.
Ms Johnson added:
“We have to politely ask customers to leave by 9pm due to the restrictions. It can be challenging as people would like to stay longer and relax. Were a family-run and friendly restaurant, not a late-night bar or music venue. We’re just trying to extend a later dining experience in the summer for our guests.
“Our regulars say it would be lovely to sit out here a bit longer in the evenings. We survived covid as an independent restaurant so we would just like an opportunity to give staff extra hours and make more money for the business. Our restaurant is a favourite place for people to go.”
This satisfied the three councillors on the committee who approved the premises licence extension.
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Yemi’s Food Stories: a taste of France at Kendell’s Bistro, Leeds
Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.
Every Saturday Yemi writes on the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.
In the world of gastronomy, French cuisine stands as a beacon of excellence, celebrated for its rich flavours, meticulous techniques, and timeless elegance.
As a Nigerian British who lived in the West Indies and whose food is influenced by many cultures including African and the Middle East, I must confess that some of my most consulted books are my French cookbooks. That’s because I love to understand foundational cooking techniques and I adore sauces as they can make or break a dish.
Key defining factors of French cuisine include:
- Quality ingredients: French cooking begins with the finest, freshest ingredients sourced locally and seasonally. From vibrant produce to succulent meats and delicate cheeses, the quality of ingredients is paramount.
- Technique and tradition: French chefs are renowned for their mastery of culinary techniques, passed down through generations. Whether it’s the art of sauce-making, precision knife skills, or the delicate balance of flavours, French cuisine is steeped in tradition and craftsmanship.
- Attention to detail: Every aspect of French cooking, from preparation to presentation, is executed with meticulous attention to detail. From the perfectly chopped herbs to the intricately plated dishes, each element contributes to the overall harmony of flavours and textures.
- Regional diversity: France boasts a rich tapestry of culinary traditions, with each region offering its own distinct specialties and flavours. From the seafood-rich cuisine of Brittany to the hearty stews of the French Alps, exploring French cooking is like embarking on a delicious journey across the country.
- Celebration of seasonality: French cuisine is deeply rooted in the rhythm of the seasons, with dishes showcasing the best of each time of year. From vibrant spring salads to comforting winter braises, French chefs know how to highlight seasonal ingredients.
Kendell’s Bistro, Leeds
Recently I was craving the decadence of French food and wanted to wrap up what had been a ‘foodie’ month to celebrate my birthday, so I went to Kendell’s Bistro in Leeds after recommendation from work colleagues.
From the humorous words on the board about tips to the seafood menu on the board, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
To start
The menu had the usual suspects, but my choices were inspired by the accompanying sauces. I ordered the Oeuf Aux Meurettes, a starter of poached eggs, red wine sauce, bacon, roast shallots, mushroom, garlic and sourdough croute.
Oeuf Aux Meurettes
I enjoyed the rich and dark sauce red wine sauce, saltiness from the crispy bacon and the sourdough was the perfect vessel to carry the poached eggs and soak up the delicious red wine sauce.
On arrival it almost looked like the size of a main dish but that’s because the sourdough toast underneath the eggs made it look substantial.
The second starter of mussels in a light white wine sauce with garlic and a touch of cream was delicate and perfectly seasoned. A great way to start the meal and prepare us for the indulgence that was to come.
The main course
My main was Pave D’Agneau, roast rump of lamb, aubergine feta mint, charlotte, rosemary jus and dauphinois potatoes. The sauce was glossy with a touch of sweetness, purée was elegant, and the roasted garlic was a nice touch.
Potato dauphinois was indulgent and decadent with the rich cream and it was perfectly seasoned. I could eat this all day. Aubergine with feta was a nice addition with richness of the feta but I needed a touch more salt.
Pave D’Agneau
The other main was the Loup de Mer; boneless and skinless sea bass with sliced lemon and capers cooked on a bed of fennel and tarragon en papillote. Cooking the fish in paper created a light and delicious broth.
Dessert
Ordering dessert was simply because I was too curious to give it a pass. The Ile Flotante Aux Rhubarb aka. vanilla pod custard, poached meringue, toasted almonds and rhubarb was pretty and delicious.
The second dessert of chocolate mousse with raspberry had a mousse that was thick, bitter and not overly sweet. Raspberry coulis was sharp and cut through the richness of the mousse. The brandy basket provided a base for the mousse and the crunchiness that was needed.
Chocolate mousse with raspberry
Price: Starter from £7.90 to £10.90, Mains from £19 to £32, Sides from £4.20 to £4.70 and Desserts £9 and £11.50 for a selection of French cheeses.
Verdict: The meal was well cooked, beautifully plated, delicious and indulgent from start to finish a reminder of why classic french cooking remains well regarded.
Reaching a foodie milestone
This is my 50th post for The Stray Ferret, so I want to thank all readers for your support. Please send me recommendations of places, producers and produces to check out in Yorkshire.
Read more:
- Yemi’s Food Stories: Brunch at The Hideaway in Boroughbridge
- Yemi’s Food Stories: A taste of Paradise in Killinghall
- Yemi’s Food Stories: embracing spring by celebrating seasonal produce
- Yemi’s Food Stories: Rafi’s Spicebox Harrogate
An Italian restaurant has opened in the former Lucia Harrogate site.
Divino opened at 3 Ripon Road last Friday, March 29. The restaurant “is a testament to the rich heritage and impeccable flavours of Italy”, according to its website.
The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers Italian classics with ‘a French twist’, including pasta, pizza and steak starting at around £14.
Lucia wine bar and grill closed on March 10 after trading at the site for 10 years. At the time Lucia operations manager, Darioush Shahidi said the restaurant wasn’t facing difficulties “it was a case of the right buyer with the right offer”.
Giuseppe Gentile, general manager of Divino, said:
“The main changes are that the restaurant has a completely new menu, authentic Italian style with a French twist and the restaurant has been rebranded.
“We decided to open here because we loved the building, loved the interior and loved the Harrogate area.”
Traditional pizza spinning in Divino kitchen
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Cosy Club Harrogate to close on Monday
Cosy Club in Harrogate will serve its last customers on Monday next week.
The Cambridge Street bar and restaurant will close its doors permanently at 5pm on April 1 after the site did not perform as well as expected.
The first Cosy Club opened in 2010 and the Harrogate venue only opened two years ago.
The Cosy Club brand is run by Loungers Ltd, which also operates the Claro Lounge in Ripon. The chain describes itself on its website as a place for “relaxed dining, drinking and lounging in a fabulous, welcoming setting”.
Cosy Club in Harrogate
Aaron Webb, manager of Cosy Club Harrogate said:
“Our last day will be April 1. The site is too large to make any money and head office told us we are closing. It was poor planning for the location and there are no plans to relocate in Harrogate. It is not ideal.”
The Cosy Club restaurants in York and Leeds will remain open.
Read more:
French brasserie Côte to close Harrogate restaurant
French brasserie Côte is set to close its Harrogate branch in the first week of April.
The restaurant is part of a chain specialising in all-day French bistro cuisine. The company has more than 80 restaurants in the United Kingdom and 2,500 employees.
Côte, which has operated on Albert Street for several years in the former Beales Department Stores unit, will close on April 6. It will result in approximately 20 job losses although staff have been offered placements at other Côte restaurants.
Neighbouring Côte restaurants, including one in York, will remain open.
A Côte spokesperson said:
“The restaurant will close on April 6. Just the Harrogate store is closing, we have reached the end of the tenancy contract and have not found anywhere else to relocate.
“We are trying to find a new location but it will take time, it is unpredictable and we are asking loyal customers to subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep them posted about a new location. We have no further updates at this time.”
Today’s email newsletter read:
“We regret to inform you that our Harrogate restaurant will be closing on the 6th of April. Whilst the site is a permanent closure, we love the city and we have been working hard to find a new location; however, this process takes time, and we want it to be in the right place for our future growth.
“We haven’t been able to find the right spot yet, but we hope to have more news on that in the coming months. We would love for you to remain on our mailing list so we can let you know when we’ve found the perfect place”
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Harrogate restaurant set to reopen tomorrow
A Harrogate restaurant is set to reopen after being closed for several months.
Saranda Bar and Grill has been on Station Bridge since 2018 and offers Greek, Albanian and Mediterranean meat, seafood and à la carte dishes.
The restaurant was forced to shut in October 2023 due to rising costs and issues with staffing.
Now, the bar and grill is set to reopen tomorrow (March 21) much to the excitement of its owner.
Leonardo Mersinllari, who owns Saranda Bar and Grill as well as Espresso House on Beulah Street, said:
“I am really excited to reopen tomorrow and welcome back our lovely customers after a long time away. We’ve not even opened yet but we already have a lot of reservations for the next couple of weeks, so it is great to be back.”
The restaurant won Restaurant Guru awards in 2021 and 2022 for ‘Best Atmosphere in Harrogate.’
Saranda’s website said:
“Saranada Bar and Grill is the perfect place for those seeking a casual, warm, relaxed atmosphere.
“We look forward to welcoming friends, new and old when we reopen on Thursday, March 21.”
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New South Indian restaurant opens in first for Harrogate
Harrogate’s diners now have a broader range of cuisines to choose from, following the opening yesterday of a new restaurant offering South Indian food.
Illam, on King’s Road, is a family-run establishment specialising in Keralan dishes, and customer manager Rahisa Kombath believes it’s a first for the district.
She said:
“You can find authentic South Indian food in Leeds and York, but not in Harrogate – until now. We’ve had a lot of Indian and English friends asking why we don’t open a restaurant here, so now we have.”
Illam, which employs six people, has 60 covers – 24 on the ground floor and 36 upstairs – and is currently offering an introductory discount of 20%, with no booking needed.
The restaurant is owned by Rahisa’s husband Sadiq Kattil, her father Abdul Majeed, and their business partner Sharaf Malayampadi. Sadiq is an experienced restaurant manager and head chef Abdul previously worked at award-winning Leeds restaurant Tharavadu.
Rahisa said:
“My dad has worked in restaurants for over 20 years as a chef, and it’s always been his dream to have a family business with our own stamp on it, so we’re all very much excited to open Illam.
“We love our authentic South Indian food and we always love to serve it to people who have never tried it before. I’m sure people in Harrogate will love it!”
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