Owt on Burley Road: What I thought of the unique Leeds restaurant that recently upsized from the Corn Exchange

The popular brunch spot recently decided to move after three years of being frequently rammed at The Corn Exchange to its new spot on Burley Road, where it has taken over the reins from the historic family-run Indian restaurant The Corner Cafe.

It’s certainly a risk for the owners, who have become stalwarts of the city centre for their inventive, waste-free approach to cooking since opening in Kirkgate Market in 2018.

The move to the Corn Exchange in 2020 saw the menu expand and a wine offering brought in while the latest move to the heart of Burley has seen them double their capacity and take on the daunting task of offering evening meals.

And while the lack of bodies in the restaurant on the night we visited raised some concerns, there was no questioning that the astonishing quality would ensure that Owt remains a must visit for food lovers.

The stoic outside appearance is a far cry from the burst of colour that greeted visitors at the Corn Exchange but the two-floored interior, complete with Owt-themed art and relaxing music, had the cosiness and familiarity of a friend’s front room.

The menu is set to change with the seasons and so the first edition was full of dishes suited for the colder nights that have been greeting us the last week.

With just six options on the menu and each as unique sounding as the last, the offerings at Owt are certainly not for those looking for something just to line the stomach.

The fluidity of flavours and offerings also spread to how to divvy up the dishes, with our friendly server suggesting that we either share a selection of mains or get one each and a side.

We settled on sharing three, with the first to arrive being the beer battered shallots using Virtuous IPA from Kirkstall Brewery around the corner. The beautifully fried shallots were certainly nothing to be sniffed at but it was the Owt curry sauce it was served with that informed what the restaurant was all about. Full of contrasting flavours, it tasted like no curry sauce tried before. What was in it? Could have been owt.

The garlic and parsley potatoes served with melted taleggio cheese continued the air of mystique as the pungent aroma was a far cry from a bite into them, which offered a soothing rich taste and texture ideal for a wintry evening.

Equally extraordinary were the roasted vegetables with harissa and whipped tofu. Beautifully served with an array of herbs and roasted cashews, the carrots and cauliflower were exquisitely cooked and the mixture of warming flavours made the freezing temperatures outside feel a million miles away.

The side of focaccia bread that tasted as fresh as promised also served as a great way to clean up the plates and prolong the tasting experience, which totalled at just over £40 felt very fair.

Upon moving to their new “corner of heaven” the owners said they had taken their time before moving to a bigger premises because they “wanted to get it right”.

And in their own unique way, it definitely feels like they have.

Factfile

Address: 104 Burley Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS3 1JP

Telephone: 07933 973395

Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday: 6pm-10pm: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12pm-3pm and 6pm-10pm: Sunday, 12pm-8pm

Website: https://www.owtleeds.com/

Scores

Food: 9/10

Value: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Service: 9/10

Total: 8/10