Zucco

1. Planned to go to Hana Matsuri across the road but they were closed. Spotted Zucco because I happened to have parked in front of it. Having seen that the place was packed – following a quick google (to check the rating) decided to walk in, in my running attire. Was definitely the most casually dressed but was welcomed very warmly regardless. I’ve been trying a new restaurant in Leeds every Friday, it’s become a sort of tradition. Zucco exceeded my expectations (perhaps sometimes it really is best not to overthink where to eat and just walk in to a place on a whim). The things I loved about Zucco:
   1. The food was really very good: especially the ‘Pan fried king scallops, prawns, squid and saffron risotto’, I could smell the saffron and the scallops were cooked perfectly – the entire dish was just plate licking worthy. I think it was the best risotto I have ever had.
   2. I loved the attention to detail: such as the fact that they provide a steak knife instead of a regular butter knife as part of their normal table set up 🍴, the fact that they always ask you if you’re sharing a dish when taking your order so that they can provide you with adequate extra plates and the fact that they print out up to date menus every day to reflect seasonal/fresh produce they have on the day etc.
   3. All the staff are so friendly and efficient: I even witnessed the bar tender changing roles briefly to welcome some diners and act as the host/waitress – he did it seamlessly and with a smile on his face. This was so lovely to witness because customer service has really suffered since Covid and has never really recovered in so many other eateries across the UK. Special mention to my waitress Julia – she was genuinely lovely and made me feel so welcome at Zucco that I will no doubt be back very soon to try the rest of the menu!
   4. They do not add an “optional service charge” to your bill: which is so rare these days and just amazing to see because it makes you want to tip appropriately for the wonderful food and service received instead of feeling obligated to pay an arbitrary service charge that you might not feel adequately reflects your experience.
   5. The loos were well designed and always clean: which is particularly impressive given how busy they were.

2. Zucco isn’t just the best restaurant in Leeds, it’s arguably one of the best in the country. Great food, attentive (but not over-attentive) service and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Starting with the food, we had several plates shared across the table and each was mouth-wateringly delicious. A special mention for the arancini which are world-class! Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the decor in the restaurant is beautiful. A real gem of a restaurant that deserves every accolade it has received. A big thank you to all the staff from all of us.

3. If you live in Leeds and you’ve not had the pleasure of dining at Zucco, you are missing out! Brilliant food and service, great atmosphere! We can’t wait to come back.

4. We’ve been coming to Zucco since shortly before it opened, and I’ve never been disappointed! Really a testament to them to have kept the quality up for all these years.

   We recently visited for a celebratory meal and were pleased to see it was relatively busy even on a Wednesday night – so I would recommend booking.

   The offering has changed ever so slightly since the early days in that I would say the portion sizes have now increased and it’s less ‘small plates’ now – we were slightly caught out by this a we ordered four plates between two, which probably would have been just right in the early days but was perhaps a bit much now. Needless to say, we still demolished the lot

   We ordered the seafood risotto, chicken diavola, beef pappardelle, and the gorgonzola and walnut pizzette.

   The beef pappardelle has always been my favourite as the beef is so tender and flavourful and the dish itself is very understated and simple in flavour profile but I’m afraid this has now been usurped by the seafood risotto, which was unbelievably good.

   Aside from the food, the FoH team are always so friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is calming and intimate, and the drinks offering is very impressive – both alcoholic and non alcoholic options with a range of fancy italian soft drinks.

   We’ve been coming for years and we will continue to come for as long as Zucco remains open – probably even after we move out of Leeds! It’s worth noting we really pushed the boat out with a bottle of wine, soft drinks, and four dishes and it still came to less than £100. Exceptional value for what you get here.

5. Tuesday lunch was quiet but did not deter us , Started with bread , lovely olive oil and balsamic and a couple of chilled beers , followed by Squid, king prawn &saffron risotto with seared King Scallops and a dish of poached smoked haddock / mussels with rosemary new potatoes , and rocket and Parmesan salad , decent glass of Grillo ,
   2 decent coffees ,food spot on and service lovely ,highly recommend.

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