Veeno: I tried this Italian wine bar in Leeds city centre that offers front-row seats for people watching
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
This Italian wine bar at the heart of the shiny Wellington Place office development in Leeds offers front-row seats for the bustling city life that is happening all around.
Its crowd of relaxed drinkers sat outside the glass venue always draw me in - and I found myself back amongst them this week. It's a casual place, with industrial décor and moody lighting throughout.
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We found the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the summer sunshine, immediately ordering a large glass of the Sangiovese, a refreshing and light red wine for £9.50.
For those who shy away from heavier reds, this is an ideal drink, offering a light balance of rich notes and honey. It’s smooth, elegant and refreshing - perfect for savouring slowly while watching the world go by.
To go with the wine, we picked a couple of Italian tapas dishes from the generous menu, starting with the Bruschetta con nduja e stracchino at £6. This simple yet flavourful dish - it's essentially cheese on toast - was an instant hit.
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The nduja sausage was formidably spicy, but with creamy stracchino cheese, the contrast between the heat of the nduja and the mellow richness of the cheese was perfectly balanced - and we were left craving more.
For something more substantial, we went for the Insalata della mamma from the salad menu at £11. Described as a tribute to “Sicilian moms", this vibrant salad was made up of fresh Mediterranean ingredients. A mix of tomatoes, olives, (plenty of) green beans and potatoes made for a satisfying and hearty meal. It all felt very Italian.
While the food and wine were great, there was a small wait for food. This was my second visit to Veeno and, on both occasions, there seemed to be delays. However, the food was worth the wait - and the tranquil setting allowed us to relax and enjoy our drinks in the sun.
After a long day in work, Veeno is a beautiful spot to unwind with friends. The selection of wines on offer and the delicious tapas dishes make it a real gem in the city centre. It's an authentic slice of Italian cuisine right here in Leeds.
Address: 5 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP
Opening hours: Tue-Thur, 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, 12pm-11pm
Website: veenobars.com
Drinks: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Service: 7/10
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