Naturally, G and I didn’t get tapas. We went on a Sunday afternoon, exposing ourselves to yet more pretension by opting for an "Acoustic Roast." The New Flyer promised live music but maybe that was on later in the day; we were greeted by a table of bored waiters messing around in a corner on their Mac Books.
Perhaps I'm being a little harsh. Once we'd managed to find the place (tucked discreetly away sort of behind Oxfam) and navigated an imposing set of stairs we were greeted with the sort of ambience that a student would expect from a restaurant slightly higher of the brow. Distrikt doubles as a club, playing host to the very successful Louche Tuesdays, and manages to keep that atmosphere throughout the day with low lighting, quiet ambient music, and a simple but effective layout. Think good solid blocks of dark polished wood and prominent, bare concrete pillars. That and the lack of windows. The artwork on the wall was for sale, though, which was a nice touch.
G had the beef (which, unfortunately, is not on the ever-changing menu at the moment) and it was tender, really gorgeously slip-off-the-tongue oh-god-it's-like-I'm-drinking-a-cow tender. The accompanying parsnips were just soft enough and had been smeared with some sort of fennel concoction which drew out the sweetness of the root in contrast to the sharp aniseed. The beetroot slivers were essentially tasteless but improved the overall texture by c.1000 miles.
We both felt I fared a little better with some beautifully juicy pork belly spirals. Caraway is an excellent fruit, should be used liberally in everything, and complimented my crunchy cabbage and buttery curly kale (honestly, it was buttery) no end.
Two points: firstly, we were disappointed with the choice of desserts. There were no petits fours as advertised which meant we had to pig out. I had the recommended citrus tart which was sour and sharp but contrasted well with a very sweet pastry. That’s right, yet more butter. All three of G's balsamic strawberries were "amazing to the point of orgasm" or something suitably hyperbolic. The vinegar did benefit from a little demerara, as the strawberries were especially ripe.
Secondly, the portion sizes. The menu boasts high quality ingredients and yet startlingly low prices. This is because you get a child's plate. G and I do have a habit of spurring each other on appetite-wise but seriously guys, a bit more carbohydrate wouldn't have killed.
Overall, though; go. The service is lovely, the wine was surprisingly fruity and the food you do get is interesting and often a novel take on more traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Perhaps the tapas might have been a wiser choice with hindsight, though.
Distrikt
7 Duncan Street
Leeds LS1 6DQ
0113 243 3674
distrikt.co.uk
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