emba

We've done Home the Owl and now emba and my love for Elizabeth Cottam's cooking opens another chapter. Great food, friendly staff, fantastic ambience its favourite restaurant in Leeds.

Just the most amazing meal I’ve had in a while. There were 3 of us and we started with a mango margarita, red wine and daiquiri (FABULOUS!). We ordered 5 small plates between us then for large plates we got the pork, lamp chops and catch of the day between us. David was our server and he was just a delight❤️ The best unreal fine dining experience that I’ve had in Leeds (which I don’t say lightly).

Left a little disappointed after trying out Emba recently- we used to love Owl and had taken part in a crowd funding campaign a few months prior which got us a voucher for a tasting menu for 2 - lots of confusion when we arrived and initially we were shown a 5 course tasting menu but then it was reduced to 3 courses. Despite the confusion service was very friendly. Starter and main was nice, dessert was excellent (a Jaffa cake style thing that we loved). No bread/nibbles prior to starter which we used to enjoy with Owl, no acknowledgement that we'd helped crowdfund. Will probably leave it a while before maybe trying again.

This was the first time that I had been since the change from Owl. The food was excellent but I have a couple of points which dropped my rating to 4. Firstly, there were no nibbles to accompany the bread at the start and secondly, there was no surprise pre-desert. Both of these were always present when it was Owl. The addition of partitions is a good thing as it makes the space seem more intimate and also quieter. My only other comment is with the wine glasses. They are stemless and while that is fine with red wine, I would prefer stemmed glasses for white with as you don't warm the wine with your hand.

After being a regular customer at the owl we left quite disappointed after a birthday meal. Staff acknowledged at the start it was a birthday however nothing extra was offered (not that it was expected but prior experience at the owl we would assume a small token would be offered) Monkfish large plate was the same size as the epic prawn small plate, side of potatoes was rather stingy. We left feeling quite hungry even after dessert which was sweet with not much depth. my cocktail was also very stingy on the serving size (friends margarita was full to the brim where as my daquri looked like someone had drank half!) Would maybe visit again for drinks and snacks as the staff were lovely but the concept of gastrobar seemed confused.

I’ve been twice now and love it. The staff are fantastic and very knowledgable, they introduced me to a beautiful citrus lager that I’ve been craving every time the sun is out! Beautiful food that is lovingly presented, the chicken melts like butter. I’ll be going back soon.

Went last Saturday and it was fantastic. Watching the canal boats and swans out the window as well as more homely feel made for a great chilled out atmosphere. The staff were absolutely brilliant and the food was delicious. Will definitely be back

We had the scallops, crab cake, Côte de boeuf with garlic potatoes, milk bomb and apple crumble. The food was rich with big flavours. I had to order some bread to mop up the bone marrow sauce to ensure none was wasted. Will definitely be back.