Take me back 10 years to the Grand Arcade on a Saturday night and I was queuing outside one of Leeds’ finest establishments. No, not really. Heaven and Hell was its name and cheap drinks and sticky floors was its game. I have fond memories of what was essentially a 3 storey skank hole, however sadly for years this defunct and long gone nightclub for the wicked had stood empty. Housed in a pretty little Victorian arcade, this spot was stagnating in its carpets drenched in all sorts of liquids.
Thankfully someone saw its potential and wow what a transformation they have made.
Thankfully someone saw its potential and wow what a transformation they have made.
Bar Soba was born and I headed down to its launch event to check it out. Gone are the nicotine stained walls, bad smells and god knows what else, all replaced with a modern, two storey bar/ restaurant with beautiful aesthetics and way better music.
Bar Soba is pretty much a bang on venue for most things. Below is bar-like; dim lighting and a long bar serving up some really cool cocktails and Asian beers. Upstairs is quite the opposite; bright, open and with a magnificent glass roof which if you go when the sun is setting is nothing short of spectacular. Such a shame that I didn’t notice the beautiful glassed ceiling above when knocking back those 50 pence shots years ago. Off to the right is the main restaurant and private rooms serving the Asian street food which is its speciality. The staff were busy, running round but still efficient, smiling and friendly. This place has good vibes. A DJ booth sits in the back corner, hosting regular guest DJs (such as Leeds favourites BackToBasics), providing a smooth soundtrack to its evenings.
Now for the food: Bar Soba's signature Pan Asian menu. We had a few canapés with our “drumstick cocktails” – these do taste exactly like that childhood favourite chew. Really yummy but quite sweet, so I moved on to a nuclear daiquiri. Seriously powerful, seriously good. If you can, ask Johnny to make it for you – a charming bartender who knows his stuff.
Although we were munching on a few canapés here and there I wanted to try the menu properly (fill my hollow legs) and so we decided to take a pew and smash through some plates. We kicked things off with a crab and lychee salad with crispy wonton wisps on top. The salad was incredibly light and refreshing. The lychees weren't too sweet so they didn’t work against the crab and a sharp hit of citrus held this pretty little salad together. If you’re watching your calorie intake but want something flavourful – this is the one to go for.
For seconds we headed down a different path towards gluttony; the sweetcorn fritters which came with a lime and ginger mayo. I could have drank the stuff. I said to my date, whilst nibbling on these little puffs of gold, “I’d happily grow lady lumps for these.”
Swiftly followed was the chicken satay which was pleasant enough. Honestly it’s quite hard to bugger up a satay skewer, but these were tasty nonetheless.
Swiftly followed was the chicken satay which was pleasant enough. Honestly it’s quite hard to bugger up a satay skewer, but these were tasty nonetheless.
To finish, the salt and pepper squid. This basket of bite sized morsels was my pick of the litter. The batter was perfectly crisp, lightly spiced encasing perfectly cooked, fresh squid. None of that horrible rubbery stuff you often get, even in reputable restaurants. The portion for the price was disproportionately good. After these I was well and truly gorged.
I’m really happy to see that someone has been both brave and inventive enough to have transformed this wonderful space and brought what I think is a unique hotspot to the Leeds dining and drinking scene. First date, old date or birthday, this is a venue for any occasion – I look forward to seeing Bar Soba succeed.
www.barsoba.co.uk/
9a Merrion Street
Leeds
LS1 6PQ
0113 242 5128
Written by Erin Goodall, FoodGoblin Northern Correspondent
