Fourth Floor Brasserie at Harvey Nichols Leeds — Restaurant in Leeds

This was an important special birthday lunch for my sister, which I’m afraid wasn’t very special, largely due to a rather clinical service, not much warmth really.

We were greeted with joyless efficiency by Philip and shown to a table right next to the clatter of the kitchen. We were asked if it was acceptable or if we’d prefer elsewhere, to which we responded ‘yes, please’.

Once seated, we were attended by Gavina who was rather officious and with very few, if any, pleasantries, not nice to experience on any occasion but especially so, given we were there for a birthday celebration.

The pace of the service and arrival of courses was good, striking a difficult / nice balance between unhurried and slow. This was then let down by a number of small but important lapses as the meal progressed, eg, the requested wine list took too long to arrive only then to be removed by our waitress at her next visit without asking if we were finished with it (we weren’t).

We opted for the 3 course menu which included a sparkling wine cocktail, however, it was completely forgotten about by our waitress.

When we asked about it (by this time we had nearly finished our starter) she was completely unconcerned to the point where we were made to feel it was our fault for not mentioning it sooner.

When, after a too-lengthy wait to get our server’s attention, who clearly found it more important to give priority to engaging in friendly chat with her other tables, we were asked about dessert from our three-course menu, we declined but said we would like coffee after a few minutes, please? We then had to wait half an hour before we were able to get her attention just to order our coffee !!

The bill came, but hang on - wasn’t there supposed to be a nod to the pre-known birthday celebration? “Oh yes, you didn’t alert me to the card on your table about that” so - our responsibility (again) to remind them.  This, a cake, duly arrived after we’d paid the bill ...

I specifically chose the Harvey Nicholls Brasserie for what should have been a lovely, easy, enjoyable celebration lunch but which turned out to be anything but - it was hard work and took the shine away from the surprise I'd planned and envisaged for my sister.

Irrespective of the fact that it was a celebration lunch, the level and standard of...

Had the set menu. Starter was nice but the pate needed a crunch and the waffle didn't quite cut it. Main course hake was lovely, but the gnnochi again didn't go and was a bit mushy, small new buttery potato's would have been perfect with this instead. Didn't really fill enough for a main either and I haven't got a massive appetite. Cheese board had an excellent selection of cheese, but didn't include butter, only chutney. My partner has the creme brulee, which we joked had a cereal bar stuck on top. It tasted really nice but slightly wonky presentation and looked quite dry. We do fine dining quite a bit as well as family style pubs and go all over, so for 30 it was fine for a lunch out without the kids, but a few tweaks and it would be really excellent menu. We were recommended a wine by our waiter which was very suitable for us so that was positive, and the severing staff were available if you needed them so this was also a real positive and made the meal and service flow. The restaurant was busy but they managed with all the covers and everything was managed well, staff communicating and we didn't have any complaints about anything and all our needs were...

Went for an evening meal recently, individual meal prices quite expensive but 3 course set menu for £22 was great value. Cheapest bottle of 2015 red cost more than the 3 courses at £25. Food was very nice indeed and well presented. A 10% tip is automatically added to the bill which you won't know till you've been given it. This means total bill came to £75 for us.

Service was great, if perhaps slightly imposing. Frequently asked if everything was ok with the meal; waitress would often come and top up drinks which was a nice touch.

Atmosphere was quite dead, only around three other couples eating around 6.15pm. Decor generally quite nice, although completely ruined when you look up and see holes in the ceiling with exposed pipe work, giving quite an industrial warehouse feel; I cant imagine this is part of the intended look. NO TOILETS are present in the cafe itself, you have to walk out the cafe and back into the store for these, though they are fortunately on the same floor and not too far past the entrance.

All in all great food and good value from the set menu, but from what you'd expect from H.N. you'll likely leave feeling a little...