BLACK IRON SOCIAL: GREAT CONTEMPORARY BRITISH DINING IN LEICESTER

The much-awaited opening of The Gresham Aparthotel also saw the opening of its partner restaurant & bar, Black Iron Social. The new dining venue sees the second location for the Black Iron restaurant, with it’s first being at Winstanley House. Fast becoming one of Leicester City Centre’s talked about dining spots, find out what makes it so popular.

Full Disclosure: Be-lavie was invited for a press stay to experience the food at Black Iron Social in exchange for social media coverage. There was no obligation to write this article. All opinions and views are honest and together with the photography remain a copyright of Be-lavie.

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Kiran Parmar, the Leicester entrepreneur behind ventures such as The City Rooms (a wedding banqueting, and conference venue and over recent years Winstanley House.

Enter the Gresham Building via the Market Street entrance and prepare to enter a fresh new landscape in Leicester. A building steeped in oodles of history from the Victorian era, lovingly restored but with an indoor-outdoor vibe.

Think lush greenery, plush velvet seating, rose gold accents and low lighting will give you the ambience of a high-end South American hangout. Whether you grab a bistro table and high stool, perch at the bar, grab a cosy seat opposite the fire or take a seat in the restaurant itself, allow the staff to enhance the social experience with their finely curated food and drink and personal recommendations.

Your time here will be special and informal as you are transported from the streets of Leicester to a microcosm of finely executed artistry minus any pretentious sentiments.

Related Post: The Gresham Aparthotel: Luxury Serviced Apartments in Leicester

Black Iron Social is a unique affair, which incorporates an 80 cover restaurant on the ground floor of The Gresham’s lobby and seamlessly fuses a swanky bar area where you can enjoy snacks in the form of snippets of comfort food together with great cocktails, drinks and handpicked wines.

As well as serving the Aparthotel guests, Black Iron Social welcomes non-residents seven days a week from 7am until late being attentive to your breakfast, lunching and dinner needs as well as taking care of lite bites that pair with a timeless beverage.

Lunch and dinner options are great with a good range of dishes, which can be tailored for individual dietary requirements with prior notice, as are the bar snacks and lighter dishes.

The lunch menu, is full of great fare and is available to choose from two or three courses offering a great affordable midday business lunch or just ‘ladies who lunch treat, incorporating quality food, which doesn’t have to cost the earth.

A nod to supporting local and sustainability at The Black Iron Social means that inspiration is drawn from produce sourced nearby and fused with modern cooking techniques using classic flavour combinations means that the food appeals to a vast array of palettes with a true hint of special flair.

Cocktails

The carefully curated cocktail menu takes the classics to a heightened level by adding a twist. Amongst many, how about the Social Colada, one to enjoy on a catch-up with friends, maybe a Cotton Candy Cosmo – oh so very much Sex and The City and for the girly night out, what about the Smoked Old Fashioned to finish a night for the gents? But coffee lovers, The Salted Caramel Espresso Martini is the ONE! You choose the level of sweetness but no Vodka, Tia Maria, Espresso and Salted Caramel never tasted so good!

Small Plates

Don’t fancy a meal but something to accompany a drink? The small plates are for you! A great line up of small portions of classic comforting food packed with great flavour and served tapas style. Favourites include the Cheddar Fritters, with red onion marmalade, Bubble and Squeak Fritters with mushroom ketchup, salt & pepper squid with herb mayo, Bombardier Macaroni cheese and loaded fries to mention a few. Cheese fiends are in for a treat with the options! Simple dishes and flavours, executed with a spot of vah vah voom!

Lunch : Three courses

Wine

With a. carefully selected list of wines, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Red-wine lovers may be interested in the Zapa Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. It’s medium bodied, soft and leans towards the more fruity and spicy flavours.

To Start

Smoked beetroot tartare with burnt apple and soy dressing. A sweet, slightly smoked timbale of fresh beetroot perfectly accompanied by contrasting apple and slightly salty soy sauce. A great light starter option for vegetarians and vegans, or a nice gluten free alternative.

Slow roasted pork belly with a fennel salad and apple jelly. Soft and delicate texture to the pork covered in breadcrumbs providing a slightly bitter edge with a twist on traditional apple sauce.

The Main Event

Herb crusted hake with crushed heritage potatoes and chowder. Seafood lovers, the hake is cooked to perfection and fall off the fork beautifully, complemented by the crushed classic British Heritage potatoes and elevated by the slight sweetness form the chowder. This is also a great gluten-free choice.

Miso glazed aubergine with kimchi and roasted courgette. A fine balance of flavours with a beautifully roasted aubergine accompanied by the kick from the kimchi and perfectly al dente courgette. Another light main, which is perfect for the lunchtime menu.

The Desserts

Vanilla Soaked Brioche with lemon crème fraiche. A dessert that may sound a little heavy or like a bread-and-butter pudding but a pleasant surprise, which is light and the sweet vanilla marries well with the creamy lemon quenelle and topped with sharp raspberries.

Milk chocolate mousse with almond and cocoa shards. The perfect end, with a light and airy mousse cut with three biscuit-style triangular sails which cut the chocolate perfectly.

Sunday Lunch at Black Iron

The restaurant also serves up a 2 or 3 course Sunday lunch menu which is cooked to perfection with a great choice of meats for the main as well as vegetarain options throughout.

A sample menu for Sunday lunch.

Starters

Cheddar fritters with red onion marmalade and crispy polenta, on. abed of watercress cream and topped with picked mushrooms.

Mains

Slow roast rump beef with roast potatoes, beef dripping, green beans, parsnips, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. The vegetarian option includes, rosemary slow roasted celeriac with roast potatoes, carrot, green beans, parsnips and vegetarian gravy.

Desserts

Pear and ginger cake served with a toffee sauce and ice-cream plus an apple and rhubarb crumble

Black Iron Social Round-up

Verdict on Black Iron Social – it does not disappoint! Exceptional quality of food and drink, a varied menu to suit all palettes, great drinking game with the cocktail list and wines plus the service is truly exceptional. Staff are well-versed in offering suggestions, friendly and approachable.

Leicester welcomes this relaxed, stylish city location for its new addition, an excellent establishment serving the best in seasonal, local contemporary British cuisine in the heart of historic centre.

The Details

• Location: Black Iron Social. 36 Market Street. Leicester. LE1 6DP
• Tel: 0116 2437660
• Website: Black Iron Social

Related Posts:

• A Weekend Guide to Leicester by a Local
• A Historic Guide to Leicester
• Transforming Leicester’s Urban Landscape with the Street Art Scene
• Independent Coffee and Cake Spots in Leicester City Centre – LE1
• Goings on from food to experiences in Leicester
• Fine fare at The Black Iron, Winstanley House

À bientôt

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