Since Bar Soba’s arrival on the Leeds restaurant scene earlier this year, it has changed the game in Pan Asian Cuisine. With an up-to-date quirky and classy take on Pan Asian Street Food and a fantastic cocktail menu to boot, it really is giving the other eateries in Leeds a real run for their money.
Bar Soba is situated on Merrion Street which, as of this year, has become quite the hotspot! After recently becoming a pedestrian friendly street, Merrion Street is buzzing. With a mix of top bars and restaurants near the theatres of Leeds, it’s the perfect place to visit before a show or even just for a night out in the city!
Walking down to Bar Soba with the sun shining down on us, it’s easy to see why this street is thriving and with additions like Bar Soba, it doesn’t look like changing any time soon.
Launched in 1999 with bars in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Bar Soba quickly became a hit across Scotland as it established itself as the go-to place for Pan Asian food. Recently, they launched their bar in Leeds, their first venture into England,
We had not had the pleasure of tasting their food before and I couldn’t wait to check it out. My partner Lauren and I went on a Sunday and after a busy week, a good Sunday feast is exactly what we needed!Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by a member of staff and promptly seated. All the staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful when explaining the menu to us.
Our table was directly under a paned glass annex supported by white painted beams which really set the scene as the sunlight shone through the restaurant.
To get a variety of tastes we opted to start with the Soba Sharing platter which consisted of corn fritters and Thai fish cakes plus more great tasting finger food which all came perfectly presented with a assortment of fantastic tasting sauces and dips. The starter portion sizes were great and at £6.95 per head, we couldn’t have asked for more!
For mains, we chose to share Teriyaki Beef Noodles and a Chang Mai Seafood Noodle Broth, which I would highly recommend for you seafood lovers. While it wasn’t a typical Sunday dinner, it didn’t disappoint; a gorgeous mix of fresh squid and prawns which was full of flavour!
Whatever you fancy, Bar Soba has got all bases covered with a menu to set your taste buds tingling and open your eyes to new Thai dishes done the Bar Soba way. Other options included a Thai take on a 6oz beef burger called the Dirty Bangkok Burger or the old favourite, The Thai Green Curry.
As well as offering a full gourmet menu, Bar Soba also offer an Express Lunch Menu with £8.95 for 2 courses which are smaller plates aimed at speed and convenience for those of you looking for a lunchtime snack.
If you are more of a weekend City Dweller then they host a disco, house and funk DJ every Saturday whilst offering a Happy Hour with 2 for 1 cocktails on Fridays from 5pm to 7pm and Saturdays from 10pm until midnight. We decided to finish the evening off with a couple of lovely cocktails from their extensive menu.
As any food enthusiast can imagine, our belly’s were full on finishing our visit to Bar Soba and as we said our goodbyes, I can truly say it’s the best Pan-Asian experience I have ever had.
At Bar Soba they have it all; you can enjoy a chilled out meal, a family get together or just a cocktail or seven with friends. All bases are covered to ensure you will have a great visit.
I will be back for a winter warming Thai Curry very very soon!
See you about town!
Zach
