Bavette, Horsforth

The high cost of city centre rents has led some restaurateurs to look to the suburbs. The latest opening is Bavette in Horsforth, five miles from Leeds city centre where Sandy Jarvis and Clement Cousins opened their contemporary French bistro in 2024.

Sandy is a local lad from Wetherby who gained his cheffing experience in London.  Cousins comes from Anjou in the Loire valley where his family own a  vineyard that supplies Bavette with organic, low intervention wines. Clement runs front of house, serving French bistro classics with a contemporary edge.

The menu is short, just 4/4/4 but that’s no disadvantage with dishes of this quality. You might begin with a Comté cheese croquette from the snack menu, then a super-rich shellfish bisque served with rouille and crostini. Follow it with cassoulet made with a combo of duck, pork belly and Toulouse sausage, then maybe a classic crème brulee to finish.

Décor is simple allowing the food to take centre stage. Dark green walls, gold mirrors, spindle back chairs and banquettes. You can view Sandy cooking in the open plan kitchen and Clement dispensing his charm out front.

Don’t take our word for it, in 2024 Bavette was selected by the Good Food Guide as the UK’s Best Local Restaurant. Congratulations Bavette.