Residence 74 Review: A bar that knows its market and doing it well

No pressure then.

Figuring that The Queen might even struggle to get a city centre booking with that criteria, I looked to local offerings and remembered about having gone to Residence 74 for brunch before and thinking it would be a good place to revisit at night.

Luckily, they had two table spaces left that evening so I snapped one up and off we went, going 'out' for the first time in ages.

The cafe/bar on the Old Otley Road, near Lawnswood, stands in a parade of shops including a hairdressers and a post office with no real competition for business so it is easy to understand why it seems so popular as tables inside, and out, were all taken.

With urban style lighting, tiles, wooden floors and brown leather seats - the bar has a New York style feel about it and is busy with the sound of chatting, glasses clinking and people eating.

Menus were on the tables (which I prefer to having to look on an app) and covered burgers, salads, small plates, grilled dishes and Mediterranean and Greek specialities.

From options such as burgers from plain beef to halloumi, home-made koftas, chicken souvlaki, garlic and lemon chicken to gyros with a number of fillings - we were a little spoilt for choice and could have opted for a number of dishes.

I chose a Mixed Merida with chicken and halloumi, cabbage salad and two sauces while my husband chose the seabass fillet with sauteed cream spinach, potatoes, lemon and black pepper.

While we waited for our food we sipped on a glass of Merlot and a Kopparberg cider. The wine list was not extensive but covered white, red, rose and fizz.

That said, Residence 74 doesn't strike me as an 'extensive' place. It is comfortable doing what it does - and doing it simple but very well.

Our food arrived and I was in no danger of leaving hungry, the portions were hearty and had all the comfort food stuffs I was expecting. Meanwhile, the fish dish was also as you would hope. Elegant, fresh, tasty and light.

Two courses with two drinks was £35, so value for money, and it was tasty, quick, service was really good given the circumstances the hospitality trade is working under and next time, as I am sure there will be one, it will be to checkout the dessert and cocktail menu.

Address: RESIDENCE 74, 74 Otley Old Road, Ireland Wood, LS16 6LQ.

Telephone: 0113 293 7946.

Opening: Monday to Thursday, 9am-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 9am-10pm; Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Website: www.residence74.co.uk

Value: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Service: 8/10