Bar Soba Leeds New Menu Launch

First impressions

I've popped in to Bar Soba in Leeds for a quick drink not too long after it first opened. I came in with my friends for a quick after work drink on a Thursday night. We had our drink at the downstairs bar and then left ( I had no idea there was an upstairs!!) I thought that the decor had some cool touches but was by no means blown away by the bar.

Second Date

I must say I am so so pleased that the lovely crew from Pink Gorilla have invited to sample Bar Soba's new menu as it gave me a chance to have the real Bar Soba experience.

The upstairs area is just STUNNING, I mean look at the ceiling! It's full of light and amazing art work on the walls. There is one upstairs bar and three separate rooms. I just couldn't believe I missed this amazing upstairs area the first time round.

We were greeted with glasses of Prosecco, did some mingling with some fellow bloggers before being seated at our table for a three course meal and food and cocktail demonstration.

The Drinks

We got to sample three different cocktails which were carefully picked to go with our food. I can be a little picky with cocktail, but I can honestly say I would order every one of them again! We were explained exactly what when into the cocktails and what made them special.

Cocktail #1 Coconut & Chilli Daiquiri

Koko Kanu coconut rum shaken with fresh lime juice and homemade lychee syrup, garnished with a rim of our specially blended Chilli & Lemograss sugar.  Not for the faint hearted as it packs a bit of a kick!

Cocktail #2 Japanese Plum Sour

A spoonful of Plum and Damson, shaken with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and velvety egg white. Garnished with a homemade Plum Sake and lemon foam and homemade plum bitters. - Created especially for the event but may appear on our forthcoming new cocktail Menu. 

Cocktail #3 Mango Daisy

A twist on our signature Mango Tango. Beefeater gin shaken with Mango puree, passionfruit syrup and fresh lime. Garnished with two mint leaves. 

The Food

Nik Biok, Soba's Executive Chef. Born in Australia but raised all over South-East Asia, Nik's new Soba Menu is inspired by dishes he grew up with and memories of his time in Asia. 

Starter

We had a demonstration of how to make the Beef War Tip dumplings which were incredible and I am definitely going back there for more!

Nik told us "Our new steamed Beef War Tip dumplings remind me of my time in Hong Kong. Every Tuesday, my neighbour Mr Han would invite me to his home for a meal with his family and we would swap our favourite Eastern and Western recipes. He would always serve these Dumplings when we made Dim Sum together. "
I love the beautiful sentimental memories behind most of the food cooked up at Bar Soba. It was nice hearing some personal stories of how the head chef created his recipes.

Main

Everyone had Aromatic Red Duck, but since I don't eat Duck I had Satay Chicken with flavoursome dark fried rice, fried egg and prawn crackers. It was absolutely gorgeous and it's making me salivate just a little by writing this.

Dessert

Deep Fried Coconut Bananas with salt peanut caramel ice-cream. I love all of the combined ingredients used in this dessert, especially the salt caramel peanut ice cream. However after a starter and a main I found that the batter on the bananas was a little too heavy.

Overall I was really enjoyed our evening at Bar Soba. I love the food, the drinks, the atmosphere and the decor of the place! I believe I have just found myself another favourite place in Leeds.

Until next time,

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