Bengal's big celebrations for first year in Leeds city centre

Mohon Miah, Executive Chef (left); Helen Green, Associate Director for Town Centre Securities (TCS), owner of the Merrion Centre (centre); and Malik Dobir, (right) director of the restaurants.

AN indian restaurant that has been a Yorkshire staple for 25 years is celebrating its first anniversary in Leeds city centre.

Bengal Brasserie has been spicing it up at the Merrion Centre for a year now and the restaurant there has become the chain’s flagship after first opening in York in 1994.

It also didn’t waste any time getting its feet under the table before making a mark on the city’s food scene either.

Within a year it has been crowned a Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards winner for Best Indian Restaurant and teamed up with Leeds boxer Josh Warrington to create a “Rogan Josh Warrington” curry following a visit from the undefeated lightweight ahead of his win Dennis Ceylan.

Malik Dobir, director of Bengal Brasserie, said they were grateful for the support so far and looking forward to the second year: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our first birthday at the Merrion Centre. Our success is due to hard work and loyal support customers and visitors. Customer service is paramount and we treat all our visitors like family.

“When we were looking for the best place for our flagship restaurant we knew the Merrion Centre was the perfect choice because of its ideal location in Leeds opposite the First Direct Arena.”

Helen Green, of Town Centre Securities (TCS), said: “Bengal Brasserie has been a hallmark of Leeds’s vibrant restaurant scene for decades and we are thrilled with the success they have experienced since they joined us. Online reviews speak for themselves, and it is a great accolade to be further recognised by winning high profile awards.”