I haven’t been going out much in the evening. Like many people as a single working parent with rising food and fuel costs I don’t have very much spare cash for eating out but I went out to dinner, this week, invited by a friend and I was absolutely blown away by upstairs at Halcyon Kitchen in Clarendon Park Leicester.
To be honest I’d never thought of Leicester as having a scene. It’s not really known for stylish wining and dining places, as one of the most ethnically diverse and socially deprived cities in the UK you don’t really think of Leicester when you think great restaurants unless it’s for curry.
I guess why I haven’t really felt like I was missing out too much staying in.
Think again.
If you are looking for a super stylish intimate dining experience with an extensive cocktail list, mixed and poured at the tables, fantastic music, food, friendly staff, great wine (I am not a connoisseur but the plonk by the glass that makes you shudder this wasn’t) and good vibes that’s completely heaving on a Thursday night, look no further than Halcyon Kitchen on Queens Road in Stoneygate. Who knew? I certainly didn’t.
I don’t know where I got the impression it’s more a breakfast and coffee place full of families with loads of kids.
Don’t get me wrong it is a more relaxed vibe downstairs for families with large shared tables, cutlery in metal canisters on the tables and the aroma of piping hot coffee permeating and an all day, until 2pm breakfast/brunch menu but upstairs is a proper restaurant with amazing decor, black and white cushions everywhere complementing fantastic reclaimed antique furniture, chandeliers and accent lighting, candles burning, and muted brown upholstery complimented with grey paintwork and large gold mirrors.
A great restaurant is an experience. For me it’s about how a place makes you feel, and Halcyon Kitchen got every thing right. It was so good I’d returned the next day for brunch with another friend who when I was exuding how good it was said, immediately said let’s go then.
Its multi level seating arrangement adds dimension with a fantastic wrought iron spiral staircase leading who knows where.
The architectural digest worthy interiors alone make this a great place to check out and eat.
The menu offered something for everyone, I am always saying where do you get a big salad in Leicester, Halcyon Kitchen have three on the menu, we went for the Prawn Avocado and Blackberry which was generous and delicious. I was tempted by the Beetroot and Feta salad option too, I cannot remember all the varied ingredients now but it sounded really good for next time.
Sweet potato fries are notoriously difficult to make well, usually ending up a bit floppy and soggy but these were possibly the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever eaten, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, absolutely perfect.
The Avocado on sourdough with feta and a poached egg was tasty, my only complaint and not really a complaint it was a small portion if you are hungry, i needed two pieces of bread not one and at £10 per serving this would have pushed the bill up.
With wine, cocktails and a delicious pina colada smoothie I couldn’t resist trying the bill was very reasonable I thought at £78.
We enjoyed Affogato at £8 each which came with a delicious amaretto biscuit, a tiny shot of amaretto liqueur and a fantastic aromatic expresso shot.
I was completely blown away by the whole experience at Halcyon Kitchen upstairs, clearly lots of other people agree. You definitely need a reservation to get in.
It was absolutely packed and I can see why. Cannot wait to return.