Pleasantly surprised by dinner at Arnold's - the newest restaurant on the Leeds food and drink scene

Fresh look as Arnold's picks up where Marco left off.

Restaurants that are attached to hotels as partners – you kind of know what you are going to get.

Not at all with Arnold’s, which has swiftly stepped in where celeb chef Marco Pierre White sidled out.

It is great to see that an independent restaurant has taken over the premises in the Ibis Hotel rather than a chain and with people at the helm that have worked in the Leeds food and drink scene for years.

It markets itself as British cuisine with local ingredients and a quick browse of the menu takes you through the city, coast and country. It is rustic, comforting and homely.

Dinner and wine at Arnold's in the Northern Quarter of Leeds.

Oxtail risotto, pear and walnut salad feature on the starters but we went for pork spring rolls and duck terrine.

Both were presented refreshingly simply and packed with chunks of meat.

The mains section left me spoiled for choice and would have happily picked pork loin with parma ham and pea risotto, cod with ratatouille or the vegetable and goat’s cheese envelope but opted for the duck leg (it being served with smoked bacon tipped it for me) and the venison haunch.

Red wine poached pears, walnuts, feta cheese, walnut dressing.

The duck meat literally fell off the bone while the juicy venison was served in two thick slices cooked just pink.

We swerved dessert (still not sure why) but I am tempted to go back just for the blueberry and almond tart with lemon curd, or would that be traditional apple crumble or the brownie with white chocolate and raspberry ice-cream? But, most definitely another glass of the Vega del Rayo, Rioja which was like warm velvet.