The Kitchen Launch Party, Leicester

Photo c/o The Cookie

Last week saw the launch of yet another new eatery in Leicester. The Kitchen is the latest addition to High Street hotspot, The Cookie, a place that just keeps getting better and better. Back in 2006 it launched as an add-on coffee shop to legendary (but now defunct) toy store Dominoes. Many a glorious afternoon were spent in that store as a child... Ten years later, The Cookie is proud to be a leading venue for live music and comedy, showcasing acts such as George Ezra, Russell Kane and Royal Blood, as well as being at the centre of the night life with the recently opened bar, The Attic.

The Kitchen, which is independently run, will offer a range of freshly prepared bites, until 7pm Wednesday to Sunday, suitable for brunch, lunch or a post-work treat. The Kitchen will be headed by chef Nicholas Towarianskij, who is hot property in the Leicester food scene.

“The Cookie has grown from a coffee shop to one of the city’s best loved venues over the last 10 years. Not just hosting some of the biggest acts in the venue downstairs but also as a regular haunt to enjoy after work drinks and catching up with friends...We’re all looking forward to some great times to come.” - Owner, Tinny Hopkins

I was particularly impressed with the decor of The Cookie/The Kitchen. It has a lived-in feel, with posters of the acts that have performed at the venue, neon signs and slogan adorning raw brickwork. Sounds like the typical style of the many hipster joints that are spontaneously popping up these days, however The Cookie does it so well. It manages to be completely unpretentious, and is a comfortable hangout with a buzzing atmosphere.

After warming the cockles with a glass of prosecco, we started off the evening with a lovely little macaroni cheese. Mac 'n' Cheese is the ultimate American comfort food. Although it is never my first choice of dish at a restaurant, the fact that it was so bloody cold outside gave this an alpine feel; sitting eating this with a mug of steaming hot chocolate whilst it is snowy outside would be simply perfect.

Photo c/o The Cookie

Next up was one of the mains, fish and chips. A classic that is done by many, mastered by few, and one well worth trying from The Kitchen. The fish was soft and flaky, and the batter crisp and full of flavour. The skin-on fries were some of the best I have tasted, being very well seasoned, and the same goes for the tartar sauce, which was beautiful. Again, I wouldn't usually be inclined to order fish and chips, but this was so well executed that a repeat performance may have to be enjoyed. Great stuff so far...

Photo c/o The Cookie

Moving on to some of The Kitchen's lighter bites, the grilled sandwich just had to feature on the menu. There are a range of options from the coriander and lime infused pork of The Cuban, to the beef brisket-filled Reuben, complete with their own tasty house slaw. For vegetarians (and even non-vegetarians), the Roasted Red Pepper Melt with salsa verde sounds like a must-try. Also on the menu is a range of burgers. Now nothing pleases more than a good burger, so I'll be returning in due course for the full taste-test. 

Photo c/o The Cookie

The icing on the cake had to go to the beautiful brownies (and not just by default). These were beautifully rich and decadent, and the perfect way to end a meal. I was really lucky to catch these actually, as some of my blogger friends ended up missing them on the search for the cocktails.

 

Photo c/o The Cookie

Apparently we missed the cocktail tasting session upstairs in The Attic, but the girls managed to convince the barman to knock us up a treat or two. Amongst the selection was a lemon meringue-esque number that I would try again in a heartbeat, and a twist on the classic gin and tonic with cucumber slices and delicate pressed rose petals scattered across the surface.

Photo c/o The Cookie

The food, on the whole, is of a very high standard. The menu isn't huge, but what it does provide is a range of classics and crowd pleasers that are all particularly well executed. The prices are good, ranging from a bargain £5 for the Mac 'n' Cheese, to £9.50 for their burgers and fish and chips. I was also impressed with the cocktails, and The Attic is somewhere I'd love to pay another visit to, bloggers in tow of course!

Photo c/o The Cookie

All in all, it was a lovely evening, and great to spend time with some of my favourite Leicester bloggers, including Steph, Lianne, Laura, Radhika, Steph, and Charlotte who brought her lovely husband Tom along for the ride. The Kitchen is a great addition to the High Street, and The Cookie offers the ultimate package of entertainment, a relaxed atmosphere and great food. You can find The Kitchen and The Cookie on Twitter @TheKitchenLeic as well as @_TheCookie.

Photo c/o The Cookie

All images are my own unless otherwise stated. Some photos have been kindly supplied by Cool As Publicity/The Cookie and a filter has been applied to match the style of my own photos.

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