The New Conservatory — Restaurant in Leeds

I sadly have to give a low review.

We used to go here fairly often when we went into town and had a nice meal, but decided to try out other places so we hadn't been there in a while.

The food here was always good. Occasionally, there was a blip but generally nice food.

We popped in at lunchtime and found it extremely quiet, only three groups of people totalling 7 other customers. This was good for us as we had a choice of seating. Unfortunately, the tables were all a bit sticky, but we overlooked that and stayed to order or previously favourite pie meal.

I popped to the bar, and the guy walked off without saying anything. I guessed maybe to collect an order or change a barrel so patiently waited. After 5 minutes, the manager, who was sitting on her computer in the corner, walked over and grabbed a female staff member from around the back.

Ordered two pie dinners and soft drinks for £47 which isn't the cheapest, but we previously enjoyed this meal.

The food came out within 7 minutes, and what a great wait time, but you know when that happens, it's usually been zapped. I looked at the pie and could see it was no longer the Home made/ butchers pie but was a ready-made frozen type that had clearly been put in the microwave as the pastry was soggy and chewy. It also wasn't piping hot like you'd expect. They tried to disguise the use of a microwave by putting gravy over it, but the texture clearly gave it away. The chips were clearly reheated, and peas were a baby portion.

All in all, it was a very disappointing meal, especially for the price. And to top it off a few hours later but myself and partner had a dickie tummy which lasted until the next day.

Unfortunately, this experience has left us not wanting to return, which is sad as we used to really like this place as a treat to ourselves. Clearly, they are struggling to pull business in on a day time, which you can see from lack of staffing and standards.

I do hope they manage to turn it back around, but suggest training for the kitchen staff as we almost reported it as a food poising incident. But after sleeping on it, I just chalked it up to a...

Booked online and quoted the Dine Card in the comments box which is how we had found the restaurant. On ordering I confirmed they took it only to be told no they don’t, for any menu. Terrible really. They should get themselves removed from the Dine Card directory then unless they are happy to get customers then not honour the Dine card discount.

They have several dishes with Parmesan listed but with a V symbol. Parmesan cannot be vegetarian as it contains animal rennet. In fact it’s against trading standards to advertise a dish as vegetarian if it contains meat derivatives. We asked for it to be removed. The pizzas were ok but bland with little taste.

Won’t be back

EDIT. the business has replied below to my review. In respect of their comments I would add-

We booked online and in the comments box stated “we have a Dine card”. If they did not accept this card they had my number and could have called, or emailed to advise in advance.

We specially asked the server if you accept the Dine card for all of the menus presented to us. She said yes but then said she would check with her manager returning to say you don’t accept this card. So after advising in advance we have a dine card, asking specifically which menus it could be used on then provided with info from the servers’ manager you expect us to make further contact after the event to obtain the discount.

We specifically asked about the Parmesan cheese and if it was suitable for vegetarians asking “does it contain animal rennet”. The server went away and came back and said we can can take that off for you. So seemingly she or the person she asked didn’t know you use a vegetarian substitute.

So there is nothing inaccurate in my review and we took reasonable steps to query both use of the dine card and the vegetarian status of the cheese used.

Finally I’ve contacted Dine car who advise you have agreed to be part of the scheme and they will be contact with...

If I could give 0 stars I would, visited Sunday 4th July. Ordered tomato soup and bread, wasnt given a spoon. Due to covid I had to stay seated whilst we waited 20 minutes before someone checked on us or noticed me trying to flag them down. When I finally got impatient and stood up, I bumped into 3 servers and only one stopped to ask me if I needed anything. I told them I had been left without a spoon for 20 minutes, he said he would comp the soup.

The soup was delicious but cold. For my main I got the fish pie... I didn't know you could make fish so tough. The salmon chunks werent flakey like youd expect... and chunks of the haddock were a miserable grey colour, which made me question the freshness.

My partner and my friends partner had the steak pie and the gravy was like water, the chips were soggy. I ended up grabbing McDonalds on the way home because I had been left that disappointed.

The service was abysmal, honestly, servers kept bringing food round to our table thinking it was ours but it wasn't. They had no idea what they were doing at all. Took us 20 minutes from finishing for us to be offered the dessert menu - and we opted for the bill, the waitress was unsure how to split the bill. All in all it was a really negative experience and we have all decided to wait a good long while before we consider going back.

And they didn't comp the tomato soup or even mention the uneaten fish pie.

This was really disappointing as it was booked for my friends 45th birthday and she loves the new con. I have never written a negative review... but first time for everything.

I wish I had taken pictures of the fish pie and the gravy, but alas as any visitor to the new con knows - the bottom floor is dimly lit in areas (we were in the library corner) and my phones battery was too low for flash.

I really hope the new con improves... it was so...