One of the city’s most unique and celebrated restaurants is shaking things up with a collection of new menus alongside as a revised approach to service. The Owl, who famously launched its innovative fine dining concept in Kirkgate Market to rave reviews back in 2019, will now open to offer brunch as well as a range of more affordable dining options.
Specialising in modern British cuisine crafted using the finest Yorkshire sourced ingredients, the relaxed Michelin guide listed gastropub has gone from strength-to-strength since moving to its stunning Lockside Mustard Wharf venue last summer.
With its latest evolution, care has been taken to bring back the accessibility of its Kirkstall Market incarnation, whilst ensuring the new menu is creative enough to satisfy its most discerning customers- as well as appealing to a wider audience. Their new plates will feature surprising ingredients and flavour combination as well as contemporary twists on classic dishes, resulting in an offering that’s both comforting and creative.
For the first time, guests will now be able to visit the restaurant for brunch at weekends from 11am, where they can enjoy a more refined approach to a selection of breakfast classics.
The Owl Full English includes home cured treacle bacon, rare breed pork sausage, herbie mushrooms, scrambled eggs, butter fried, scrambled eggs, homemade brown sauce and crispy potato terrine, creating the city’s finest brekkie.
Elsewhere on the menu, the divine Duck Waffle channels an American-style pig-out and serves up crispy confit duck leg from Levin Farm with a malt waffle, maple and chilli sauce and fried duck egg. The Brunch O’ Muffin is another revelation, designed to leave a certain iconic golden-arched brands version for dust with its rare breed pork pattie, Cheddar, crispy onion and fried egg.
The new lunch and dinner menu is equally as tempting. Small plates include delights from the sea, such as Baked Native Oyster with seasonal garnish, and Buttered Sourdough Crumpet with Whitby crab and apple, to unusual options such as the Beef and Oyster Sausage with onion marmalade and turnip puree.
Stand out dishes on the large plate’s menu include Pan Roasted Stone Bass, served with chip shop style curry sauce, mussels, sea vegetable and crispy potato terrine, and Braised Blade of Salt Aged Yorkshire Beef, pickles, English mustard mayo and toasted rye.
The enticing dessert options includes the deliciously rich Chocolate Mousse with hazelnut butter, coffee cake, bourbon sauce and hazelnut ice cream, and a warming Baked Ginger Custard Tart with plum and sake compote, honeycomb and oolong tea ice cream.
And if you’re looking to end your week with the ultimate comfort food, the Sunday menu has been elevated, adding a wide range of new dishes, including Braised blade of beef, Rump of Yorkshire lamb and Roasted Roscoff onions, all served with your favourite trimmings, making this the perfect destination to end your weekend.
Leading indie brewery Northern Monk are also making a welcome return to the gastropubs bar. Their team are currently collaborating closely with The Owl to create a special ale exclusive to the new Lockside venue and will be offering two guest beers in the meantime. Guests can also expect to discover an amazing wine list and new and creative cocktail options every couple of weeks including favourites Yorkshire Breakfast Martini with Gin, Rhubarb Liqueur, Rhubarb & Ginger Jam, Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice and the perfect aperitif the Choc & Caramel Espresso Martini with Vodka, Dark Chocolate, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur and Espresso.
The restaurant will also be open to children for the first time at brunch and lunchtime, allowing families to soak up the laidback ambience of the restaurant and the autumnal vibe of its beautiful surrounding area by the riverside.
The Owl kitchen will continue to be led by chef and co-founder Mark Owens, who has earned his stripes in several Michelin starred restaurants including Lavroche, The Star and The Box Tree.
Award winning chef and founder Elizabeth Cottam said “We're reclaiming our Kirkgate Market vibes with a brand-new menu that is both creative to keep our loyal customers entertained and accessible to allow everyone to spend more time with us enjoying our food. Our opening times are changing too to allow people to enjoy our brightly lit Canalside gastrobar for brunch as well as lunch and dinner. Also, due to demand, we’re opening brunches and lunches to small children too, a first for us, which offers families that are either out for an autumnal walk down by the canal, for gorgeous sunday lunch, we're the perfect place to start or finish a big day out.’
