It seems like almost every other post here at the moment is something restaurant related. There are two possible explanations for this: either I’m getting far more confident at just going for it and taking photos when I’m eating out (this is true) or Leeds has so many new places popping up or refreshing their menus that I have to taste and share the verdict on their vegetarian offering (this is also true).
One new spot on the Leeds scene that I had yet to check out was Slate NQ so I popped along one Tuesday evening with the wonderful Charlotte, for an evening of pizza, cocktails and pool.
The NQ here stands for Northern Quarter, as this rapidly improving corner of the city center has become known as. Slate NQ recently opened up in one of the beautiful mock Tudor buildings here covering two floors , with a bar and restaurant downstairs and a pool hall upstairs, plus a roof terrace and courtyard outside.
Slate NQ has 40% off pizzas and sandwiches on Tuesdays so it’s a great day to head down, even if it may inevitably lead to mid-week drinks when you take a peek at their menu of signature cocktails!
For our first round, I wanted something light and refreshing so went with a Pear and Ginger Collins whilst Charlotte went for the delicious coffee-based ‘Gem of Piacenza.’ Later on we went for the ‘Northern Heights,’ a combination of fruity berries and basil, and the tropical-yet-spicy ‘Heat of the Moment.’
After making ourselves comfy in a booth, the next decision was choosing from their selection of veggie pizzas – four choices in total. We chose the incredible ‘Vegetarian’ that comes with sun blushed tomatoes, roasted artichokes and olives plus some very tangy, slightly spicy Calabrese hot peppers, and the earthy, indulgent ‘Wild Mushroom’ pizza.
The addition of cracked pepper chips to our order was possibly a slightly greedy one, especially since I took half of my huge pizza home with me, but they were worth it.
All of the pizzas are freshly made and fired up at one end of the bar so they arrived hot and cooked to perfection I was impressed by how different the flavours of the two veggie pizzas we tried were and would happily go back to try more of Slate NQ’s vegetarian options knowing I can have a very different meal next time.
Full of food and full of cocktails, we then headed upstairs to play pool where a bitter fight to the end ensued (I was beaten by a hair’s breadth!). Pool tables are available by the half hour and a game was the perfect way to wrap up a perfect evening.
Thanks to Slate NQ for inviting me along for the evening – all thoughts, photos, opinions, etc. are my own!
