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Stylish & Slow Adventuring – A Travel, Fashion and Lifestyle Yorkshire Blogger

MARCOS ITALIAN, LEEDS REVIEW | QUEENBEADY

October 6, 2017

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

Just under two weeks ago we stepped foot inside the entrance of Marco’s Italian, or, “Marco Pierre White New York Italian” to be exact. The home city of Pierre-White himself it only seems fitting to open up a restaurant here in Leeds for the local’s to enjoy. It’s location is a little bit out-of-the-way if you didn’t know it was there and is attached to the Ibis Style’s hotel just need Leeds Direct Arena so it’s great for catching a bite to eat if you are seeing a show or concert. I’ve always been a little sceptical of hotel restaurants but luckily, the Firelake at the Radisson Blu changed my mind on that earlier on this year. When I was invited I had completely forgot that I had already been to the same chain in Oxford, so I was hoping this visit would blow me away and be a little more memorable!

The entrance is separate to the hotel so it kind of gives itself its own identity in this sleek and modern building. When you first arrive you are greeted by a lovely server, the iconic, black and white striped, large chair that features in most locations was sitting proudly next to the door and the invitation to watch the chefs at work at the open kitchen is always so interesting to watch.

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

The offer of a stiff drink always helps, so I went for a Pornstar Martini (as it’s my life goal to try one wherever I go – so sue me!) and James supped on a pint of Moretti. Both of which were pretty nifty. My cocktail wasn’t too sweet which is just how they’re meant to be and James’ pint was a well-pulled one. We got shown to our table which was near the window to watch the world go by and my perfect chance to people watch, which happens to be one of my favourite pastimes.

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

Whilst we perused the menu the waiters kindly offered us some appetizers so we went for the olives which is a nice “picking” kinda dish to have whilst you salivate over deciding what to have for your three courses. Plus, they were pretty beastly sized olives which weren’t the slightest bit “lady-like” when you had to pop out the stones in your mouth – cue the awkward eye-catching gazes with the waiter whilst spitting out a lump of stone from your mouth in the least undignified way ever. I eventually decided on the fried chicken wings with chill jam and Jame’s went for the chicken Goujon with mustard.

It’s safe to say I went with the best dish. My plate came piled high to the rafters with lashings of chill jam, which certainly packed a punch but for a heat lover like me, perfect! Now Jame’s starter was simple, but sadly, a little bland. He stole a bit of my chilli jam to jazz up his dish and whilst it wasn’t horrible, mine just had that little bit more flavour.

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

Now, with our mains we were both pretty determined to have a burger, you know that burning desire that if you don’t fulfil it you’ll be pretty peed off? However, Mr C has this thing that he has to get something different to me when we’re out. So rather than have the same burger as me, the Great American Beef Burger (which was pretty darned tasty!) he went with the Chicken Milanese Burger. This came with mustard, but he said again, it really lacked in flavour. ( My guess is that they really need to add a bit of pizzaz to the mustard they use as that had been twice he’d tried it and it didn’t really taste of anything.) My burger however, was loaded with a big fat burger, bacon and cheese. Pretty much, a heart attack on a plate, but pretty scrumptious to say the least. Both burgers came with a side of fries. I went with the traditional skin on fries and James went for sweet potato which were yummy.

I feel like I need to dedicate this next paragraph to the mac & cheese we ordered as a side too. Never, ever in my life have I tasted mac & cheese quite as delicious as this one here. It super creamy and even more cheesy. If I could have wolfed down that bowl to myself I really would have but I needed to make sure I made room for desert because I couldn’t miss out on pudding now, could I?

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

After devouring our mains our waitress kindly allowed us a good twenty minutes between taking away our plates before letting us order our deserts. It was so nice that they accommodated us taking the last bit of our meal at a slightly slower pace despite the restaurant now getting rather busy on a Saturday night.

Now, I was very nearly tempted with the Manhattan Milkshaker which sounded like a monster of a desert, but I thought it best not to go too wild otherwise you would have had to have rolled me out of there like a barrel, instead we decided to try two deserts and share them. First up a classic chocolate brownie with ice cream which I can confirm was a-okay and very much every inch gooey as I’d hoped it would be and a slightly lighter pudding of Panna cotta and tropical fruits which was super creamy. It was delicious! I was surprised at just how quickly we ate both deserts given that we felt like the size of houses at this point.

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDS

MARCOS ITALIAN LEEDSWe ended the meal with a coffee each, that was nothing to shout home about but it certainly sobered us both up before we left. We discussed the meal and decided that the deserts were probably the highlight of the meal along with my starter of chicken wings and chilli jam. The moral of the story is that whilst James’ made various poor choices on the dishes he chose, (I had come off trumps with my options!) is that he really should listen to me more often when I suggest menu options to him!

Overall, this is a chain restaurant so I wouldn’t expect a gourmet meal. If you are heading here you need to be a little more adventurous with your choices and you will be rewarded. The prices are on a par with other Italians in the area too. The service was good and tentative which is a huge bonus to this place. Something some places lack, especially on a weekend. This place isn’t going to blow you away but you can definitely get a trusty meal here!

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*Our visit was complimentary however, all thoughts are my own.

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