De Fresh, Leeds

Imagine the scene; I have been dragged off to Sainsbury’s in Moortown, to shop with my wife. The excitement is killing me! As well as this my children are nattering in the back seat. ‘I’m hungry; he’s hitting me, how far is it?’ I could be laid on the sofa watching TV right now!

As we drive into the grey industrial shopping extravaganza estate my daughter shouts: ‘Look! There’s a Chinese restaurant and it’s open’. Five minutes later we are all seated in this strangely sited Chinese and Thai eatery.

A lovely little man comes over and passes us all lunch menus. It reads: ‘Any starter and main course from our lunch menu, £5.49 including Boiled Rice or Chips’. My initial thoughts were run and keep running, or I may be running all day tomorrow! However I was too scared of my children, so I said nothing and kept my head down.

There were eight starters and 10 main courses to choose from as well as vegetarian options offering the same choice eight starters and 10 mains. We ordered things like Hot and Sour soup, Satay Chicken, Deep fried Chicken wings to start and Sweet and Sour Crispy Pork, Beef Curry, Lemon Chicken and Thai Style Beef.

As we arrived at five to two in the afternoon and it closed at two we were lucky to be served I think, but nothing was a problem. The service was spot on, as was the food and as for the value”. well, make up your own mind!

Yes, the setting is bad. I have to say eating on an industrial estate would not be my first choice, but there is great parking which is a plus. The interior is typical of many oriental restaurants. Stark and uninviting, however once you have got past that, everything else is top notch. What is unusual about oriental restaurants is waiters who smile and interject with you, as well as been helpful.

Whilst we were dining a couple came in and ordered a massive take away to be delivered that evening at 6pm. They lived in Bramhope, as do I. It was only £2.00 extra to deliver that far away. If you live within five miles of this place, get your Chinese or Thai from here. The food really is very good.

I have not been on a night but I can only imagine it being quite busy as there were 12 to 16 other people dining at 2pm which for an out of city venue is good.

Overall I was impressed and pretty shocked, as I would never normally go in somewhere that is not more inviting. I know, never judge a book by its cover, but aren’t we all a little guilty of that from time to time?

Category: Under £20

Review Summary

Atmosphere ♦♦♦
Food ♦♦♦♦
Service ♦♦♦♦♦
Value ♦♦♦♦♦

Contact Details

De-Fresh
Unit 5a Sainsbury’s &
Moor Allerton District Centre
King Lane
Leeds
LS17 5NY

Tel: 0113 268 7799
www.defreshrestaurant.co.uk