The whole restaurant cranes to see the theatrical experience

With food columnist - Freda Shafi

Tattu is more than a dining experience; from the minute you walk through the doors of Minerva house located in a corner of the city, there is magic; a 360-degree sensory experience. Be prepared for a sensual, dramatic, and theatrical few hours of your life that will leave a lasting impression on you.

The soft muted light, dulcet Buddha bar-esque tunes as you enter. It makes you want to rock gently in the bar area as you choose from the very stylish list of cocktails and impressive nonalcoholic mocktails which I opted for.

The friendly but not overbearing staff notice instinctively when you’re ready to order. No brash gestures needed to get their attention; you know they’re well versed in hospitality at a very superior level.

The “instagrammable” aesthetics from life size cherry blossoms trees, Chinese lanterns and ambient lighting make it a content creators heaven; it doesn’t feel awkward making a little content in situ as that’s part of the restaurant appeal. You want to share if not shout about being part of the Tattu show whilst you’re there. Whoever designed this space definitely got the tone right, setting this up as a truly authentic fusion style far east corner of Leeds.

Now onto the food because that’s what we’re here for ….

The menu is exactly what you’d expect with everything else in place here; it’s exquisite. Stylish, amenable, not overbearing to the point of perplexity, anyone reading it will see both style with substance and familiarity- a very fine balance to achieve.

Looking around, it’s a full house on a cold Tuesday evening in January. A wide demographic made up of young people, couples out after working in the city I’m guessing, as well as small groups enjoying a meal with friends. It’s a menu that is clearly geared to everyone’s palette.

Our delightful waiter Kieran has a warm and genuinely friendly disposition. He is so in tune with all the diverse guests, as I watch him move between tables and make everyone feel at home. He’s also incredibly well versed in the menu to the point I trust him to choose a few dishes for me.

WILD MUSHROOM SPRING ROLL

Truffle sour cream.

LOBSTER AND PRAWN TOAST

Sesame and sweet & sour c hilli sauce.

The perfect flavours textures and complexity in each course from the crisp sesame encrusted prawn lobster toast, to the wild mushroom spring rolls with the truffle sour cream.

Kieran was spot on with his recommendation for our starter

Next the SZECHUAN ROCK

SHRIMP Carrot, sancho pepper and pickle arrives. A fine tempura, compliments to the chef on that, it’s laced the flavours of the delicate pickle it comes with and it’s delectable.

The courses glide with each seamlessly, one after another in perfect sync and flavours in harmony. A symphony of fabulously but delicate flavoured courses that just synergise with each other effortlessly.

Steamed Butterfly Sea

BASS Shaoxing wine, lemon soy and caramel chilli marries well with the side serving that Kieran kindly asked chef make especially for us tonightvegetarian fried rice.

We also have the wok fried angry bird which has the right spice level for my palette. The SPECIAL FRIED SWEET

POTATO vinegar glaze, spring onion and ichimi pepper.

It’s all a fusion flavour explosion that has me eagerly awaiting and savouring each mouthful

I didn’t want it to stop but realise I need to make room for dessert again knowing my senses are going to be stimulated at all levels …

It arrives. Eagerly anticipated CHERRY

BLOSSOM White chocolate, cherry and candyfloss.

Dry ice spilling over the edge of the table as the whole restaurant floor cranes to watch this theatrical piece. A bonsai cherry blossom tree, chocolate bark; can you get better than this? - Its genius and again a burst of evocative flavours that take you back to the fairground with candy floss mixed with the sophistication of a chocolate soil that only an exquisitely trained chef could produce, such harmonised flavours.

I had enough room to try the WHITE CHOCOLATE DRAGON EGG Coconut, passion fruit and mango. It was light and airy and fragrantly fruity; just enough for me to feel comfortable and very joyously replete.

Let’s me try to sum this entire experience up now. Immaculate fusion flavours, exquisitely presented, created, and delivered by skilled chefs. Theatre and classy ambiance have no bounds here; you just have to let yourself go and succumb to jumping into it with all your senses to truly experience the magic of Tattu.

29 East Parade Minerva House Leeds LS1 5PS https://tattu.co.uk/locations/leeds/