Arnold’s – a taste of Yorkshire in the heart of the city. The restaurant has just opened on Wade Lane, adjacent to the IBIS Styles hotel, and offers a classic menu that promises to celebrate the best of Yorkshire and British produce. Despite the modern exterior, upon entering we were hit with the warmth and ambience of a cosy, up-market Yorkshire pub. Staff welcomed us warmly and seated us in the large bar area, which opens onto the kitchen. The gorgeous smells of meat drifted over and we enjoyed a glass of wine whilst listening to the food sizzle away. We were met with some lovely surprises when seated at our table. The modern unit is given plenty of character by warm lighting and some clever touches, such as flat caps framed on the walls and an intricate feature made of twigs hanging above tables. Large windows give the illusion of space whilst the décor is kept simple and elegant; dark wood tables are paired with comfortable silver and gold-toned chairs. Part of the restaurant can be separated to create a private dining space, perfect for large parties or Christmas bookings. The Food Arnold’s menu is as classic as its décor. Although the choice is limited with only one vegetarian option, they do offer a separate gluten-free menu and produce is largely locally sourced. To start I ordered the soup of the day, tomato and basil, which was served as a generous portion and arrived piping hot. It was simple yet well-seasoned and the two flavours were balanced perfectly. Almost as soon as the starter was cleared our elegantly presented mains arrived. I ordered the chicken breast with a Parmesan and herb crumb which was swimming in a rich and creamy tarragon sauce. The textures of the dish brought the classic flavours to life. The crunch of the Parmesan and herb crumb complimented the soft, melt-in-your-mouth chicken and the little chewy bites of orzo pasta and wild mushrooms gave an interesting twist to the tarragon sauce. My friend ordered the cod, accompanied by fine ratatouille and basil oil. The fish flaked beautifully and the aromatic taste of fresh basil filled the palette. The ratatouille was rich and bursting with flavour although the dish could have done with more of it. Whilst the portion of fish was generous, the dish was also lacking in carbohydrates and my friend was left feeling a little empty. That being said, our side order was perhaps the highlight of our evening – a generous portion of big hearty chips, crispy yet not coated in oil and lovely and fluffy inside. The Dessert Arnold’s dessert menu is any pudding lover’s heaven. Apple and blackberry crumble, warm chocolate brownie… we eventually decided to share the chocolate fondue. The bowl of gooey chocolate arrived piping hot, accompanied by deliciously sweet fresh fruit and sticky marshmallows. It was a delight. We left feeling comfortably full and thoroughly satisfied. Although it might not offer anything ground-breaking, Arnold’s is a cosy slice of the Yorkshire countryside in the middle of the city, the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal full of classic British dishes and flavours. Written by Abbey Maclure.