We went to restaurant 263 in Leicester full of hope and gusto keen to support and find out for ourselves if an 8 course vegan taster experience with wine pairings could compare to similar offerings we’ve tried at Holy Carrot in Knightsbridge and pied a terre in Bloomsbury. I am not a vegan, however I am under pressure from younger members in my family to move over and give up crispy bacon.

When we read the menu there wasn’t a great deal of difference in except the price.

The experience itself was a tale of two halves. When we arrived there was only one other table eating, a couple with a baby, and no background music so the atmosphere was strange.

The chef did come out to the table to explain the menu which was exciting and very different, the problem for us, he was wearing a dirty apron so that detracted from the personal attention and service he offered.

The waitress didn’t understand wine and knew less about which wine went with which food than we did.

The food came in 6 or 8 tasters plates and it was absolutely delicious. Making vegan food taste good is not easy so I do applaud the chefs for the food.

Everything else in terms of running a restaurant needs work, Calamity Jane, but if you want plant based and really tasty food it’s a great option.

FYI the chefs running out the door at 3pm when the restaurant stopped serving lunch before us the customers left did make us laugh.

Lots of potential with the food but a few things to work on too. Would I go back. Not for a fine dining experience.