The Wetherby Whaler — Restaurant in Leeds

I hadn’t been to this fish restaurant since just after it reopened and obviously since then there have been major changes. As Aldi now occupies a large portion of the previous available car park the Whalers car park has been drastically reduced. As you drive the entrance is the same one as access to Aldi and then splits off to the right behind the whaler itself. I had no idea where the disabled car parking was and there were no signs I could see . It was lunch time and the car park was full . I drove around the car park and spotted faded yellow markings at the top end of the car park . There are two disabled bays at the very top of the car park and one immediately next to the building. This makes sense because of where the entrance /exit for disabled is. If the car park was empty it may have been easier to see. After parking I unloaded myself onto the car park adjacent to the takeaway exit. There is a dropped kerb here to allow access to the footpath. I noticed too that there was a disabled access path from the main footpath on roundabout A65 . NB This is the only entrance/exit for wheelchair users from the main road and the car park . It’s located next to the phone box on the right hand side of the building. The front and left hand side of the building are accessible to pedestrians by using steep steps. Note the building itself is raised up on top of a platform. The access for disabled is by the takeaway exit. You go along the front of the whole takeaway element and raised picnic platform . You may need help with the doors to get in . They are large and glass . Access is flat and level and m table was accessible. I ordered the pensioner special which consisted of soup , main course and pudding and cup of tea . As for the meal and service :-well that was first class ! Absolutely excellent . I then requested the use of the disabled toilet which is separate from the ladies and gents. The drawback there was the baby changer!!! (Argh!!) it had been left down and the WC wasn’t large enough for both of us . It turned out that the changer was broken but a member of staff came along and held it out of the way so I could get in and then locked the door behind me. After my ablutions I was able to get back out and find my way to the car park . Would I go again ? Definitely these are annoying little things but the meal and service made up for it. A couple of signs indicating car spaces and entrance for disabled would...

I was visiting from Sussex and staying with family. We went to the Weatherby Whaler in Guiseley on Saturday about 5.45pm having checked the menu online and telephoned ahead to check there was the one vegan main option, aubergine bake, still available. A young waitress came to take our order and I asked for a cup of tea and either soya milk or oat milk. She said that they didn't have any because the twenty 8 coffee shop was shut. Neither of us understood what that meant and queried why that was a problem. She said "I'll explain it again" and said the same which still didn't clarify why that should have a bearing on my cup of tea and not knowing where twenty 8 coffee shop was. I carried on querying why their opening hours should make a difference and asked for the manager as she was speaking in quite a curt manner. The lady manager came and said the same thing and said they couldn't go there and get plant milk as they were closed downstairs and it would mean opening the security locks. I said they offered a vegan meal and why could I not just have a hot cup of tea with vegan milk on a cold day and I felt discriminated. After a bit of chat she said they were starting to offer gluten free options and maybe it was something to consider and would go and check. After only a couple of minutes, a man called Ryan came with soya milk and took our order. He was polite, very efficient with the plant milk considering it had seemed to be such an effort to the waitress, and the aubergine bake was delicious. We also had dessert and Ryan offered to change the mandarin surprise or the peach melba to vegan by changing the ice-cream. The peach melba was lovely. Very happy. That's how you do it and not say no in a...

Lesson of the day, nostalgia can be bad, as can revisiting old loves.

As a former local I've previously been to the old Harry Ramsdens many times, it's great produce coupled with a traditional "tea room" experience while surrounded by history (the old amusements in the original building etc) was always an event.

It no longer is.

You enter the car park and are confronted by an Aldi, I'm not against them but it was a shock to see. Car parking is now yo the side sandwiched between other businesses. You kind of feel like you're parked by the bins rather than at a grand entrance.

On arrival the first thing you notice are lots of passive aggressive signs telling people to make sure they tell staff how many are dining. An odd thing as you're asked on entry. That said we were ignored by 3 members of staff while finally bring seated.

The entry area looks like someone has stolen all the furniture and there was just a line piano with a chap playing odd music. It's a shadow of its former glory.

The menu contains all the stuff you'd expect but there seems to be a big focus on promoting senior specials which stings a bit for those of us in our younger years. Also, no inclusive tea, bread & butter and peas with the fish and chips, unheard of surely? This isn't the south!

Drinks prices are pretty high as it all seems to be bottled items, £2.95 for a soda water for example. Appreciate its a restaurant though and not the takeaway.

In the end it just didn't feel right, the food prices were high, service lacking, we left without ordering and subsequently had an amazing experience down the road at Murgatroyds, I'd suggest anyone else planning a visit here...