Let's not be throwing stars around like shurikens, if I could review the bar separately to the…read morefood, I would indeed. And that review would likely be less favourable as a matter taste. However, there are some things you can't fault, and that would be the service and the food. I'll, of course, go into some detail.
The bad news: The bar really isn't to my tastes. Not in terms of décor, but in terms of style. The music is (and I can already hear what you're going to say) too loud and too pop for my tastes. (Whatever, I'm old.) When it's a Wednesday night and no one is in your bar, why must you ear bleed me with Rhianna and that awful awful Blurred Lines song? No one wants it. Or, at least, no one I know.
I am also not a fan of TV screens, but I realise some folks do like to watch a bit of footie. People often enjoy it when a leggy man does a goal, I understand that.
It's rustic looking and attractive, and has a gorgeously decked out little beer garden (big umbrellas please, for when it rains) so it could be much more - but alas, it's a little like a replica of vodka rev or brb in terms of personality. It needn't be - everyone else was in the aforementioned bars for their Wednesday shooter and R'n'B. My wish would be that it lives up to the NY name more, and actually takes that vibe on a little more. Underground and interesting music on the Spotify, to link into their (I'm assuming, haven't tried) NY cocktail menus and food. Just my opinion, like.
ANYWAY!
The food. My word, the food. If you come here for just one thing, let it be the burgers. Let it be the California burger, with skin on fries, and delicious crispy SFC strips. It does the same as most, and bungs them in a placcy basket to look all authentic, but when you bite down on that mother of a beef patty, and let the guac, onion rings, melty beef, jack cheese, and the rest assemble in your gob, you know you've made it. You've made it. Welcome to flavour country. I am a fan. As ever, and as will almost always be in Leeds, I wished the burger had been a touch more pink. But - my folly - I didn't ask it to be so. And those SFC strips - yes. Yes yes yes. I liked them immensely.
As for the service, not a single encounter was unpleasant, and everyone who interacted with us was fantastic. Top notch service, banter, the extra mile, and all that jazz. Props to the two girls and chap who made the night more of a four star experience than a three star one.
So, I shan't ramble on for much longer. The place has potential. I like the subway train by the loos. The actual building is lovely, and the garden is grand. The NY menu is fabulous, and the staff are brill. I just wish they'd ditch the crap music and punk it up a bit. I would definitely then be a regular.
