Tattu, Leeds

Restaurant Review.

It is clear that this restaurant is trendy. Upon entering, you are met with white cherry blossom trees illuminated with purple lights. Chinese calligraphy adorn the walls, moving and projected. Mirrors double the space and the dark floors create a sleek ambience.

The service was great, very quick. Sometimes a little too quick. As you put the chopsticks down for one course, it is brusquely cleared and the next arrives. I’m not faulting this, but it is clear there is a time limit to your stay. This is not surprising considering how popular the restaurant has become.

The cocktails are amazing. I wanted every single one, but for an average of £10 a pop that wouldn’t be good for my liver or my bank account. We got 2 each.

Alex got:

From China with Love: This came in a very cute little bottle, “hand-delivered” from China. Its gin, vermouth and blood orange. He loved it. 10/10. £10.
Emperors Spice: This arrived with a burnt, smoking stick of cinnamon decorating the stately drink. Whisky, cinnamon and maple syrup. £9.

I got:

Butterfly Effect: A luminous purple martini. Vodka, lychee and butterfly pollen. I’m a fan of floral flavours, and so this was my favourite. £10.
Mint Chocolate Espresso Martini: Like a dessert in a glass. Definitely one to serve as an after dinner treat. My sweet tooth loved it. Vodka, mint and chocolate. £10.

We feared Tattu might be style over substance, as is the case for many trendy restaurants. We were mistaken. The food was fantastic. As long as they update their menu every season, to keep things new, I can see Tattu being a hotspot for a while.

We decided to share everything, because there was too much we wanted to try. Ordering from the A La Carte menu, we got 2 dim sum, 4 small plates and 2 sides to share, and this was more than enough. There wasn’t that much difference in size between the dim sum and small plates.

Dim Sum:

Crispy Duck Rolls with Yuzu Plum Sauce. This was our favourite dish out of the lot. So crispy and filled to the brim with duck. The plum sauce really made it. £8.
Beef and Fois Gras Gyoza: So good! Strong flavour and really tasty. £8.

Small Plates:

Seared Tuna with Ponzu, truffle aioli and caviar. This was our risky option we decided to try, and the risk paid off. Super finely cut, raw with just slightly seared edges, this was surprisingly good. £9.50.
Peking Duck Buns with hoisin, spring onion and cucumber. I loved these! The ‘buns’ themselves were white and fluffy and the fillings fun to stuff them with. I would say however, that the Crispy Duck Rolls and these are very similar, so it might be best to order one or the other. £12.
Drunken Chicken Wings with sweet soy and yuzu aioli. These were my least favourite, although they were good. Basically fried chicken wings with mayonnaise. £8.50.
Crispy Pork Belly with black vinegar, sweet soy and ginger. My favourite of the small plates. Really crispy, delicious and in bite size chunks. £8.

Sides:

Egg Fried Rice. Really great, however could have done without this as too much food to eat. £4.
Sweet Soy Grilled Asparagus. So yummy and fresh, would recommend. £6.

Dessert:

Chocolate Fondant with raspberry, honeycomb and caramel soy. The fondant was divine, and there were so many other little bits and bobs to taste with it. I think you know you love someone when you are willing to share this dessert. £9.

The whole bill came to £123, including a gratuity tip of 10%, which is automatically included on the bill. It was quite expensive, but worth it. A spontaneous and delightful evening.