May/June 2019 - Laura Sharp & Ash McVeagh
"Mangiarie per vivere e non vivere per mangiare"
(Eat to live, don't live to eat!)
Thursday night in Chapel Allerton called out to us.... Italian street food, Vino de Italia, funky surroundings with a theatre show underway, that has got to be Seven Arts doing what It does best, hosting Luigi's Street food #weekendkitchentakeovers (but mid week!)
Set in twinkling trees, green and lush, stands Seven Arts. Famous for handing its kitchen knives over to a host of pop up and authentic chefs for the weekend bringing cuisines from around the world. We were "eccitato" to be sampling a taste of Italy and Luigi's Street Food who had been behind the pasta grinder all week.
"Due dita di vino e una pedate al medicine" almost like the English phrase, "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away" however the Chapel Allerton Blog Team are with the Italians... two bottles of wine please!
Mezz Giorno from Puglia to be precise, southern Italy's way of encapsulating apples and melons in a vibrant bottle, kick starting us off for Luigi's street food treats. Seven has got a good nose for stocking its fridges.
Simple, authentic and without the fuss, were the words of our chef, therefore we delved right in to be greeted with the coolest looking Arancini risotto balls nestled in their very own egg box, with a cheeky tomato and mozzarella sauce perched alongside. What a way to start.
Served on tastefully designed Luigi style parchment, resembling a fresh sheet of pasta, completely fitting with the theme came the most flavoursome Bruschetta Al Funghi. Deep pepper and garlic notes, rounding off with olive oil and parsley.
Inspired from Italy's coastline came the Fritto Misto. Crispy battered calamari, prawns and a couple of surprise whitebaits thrown in.
Served simply with a lemon- lush, no more needed to be said.
Le Polpette Al Sugo, world famous pork and beef meatballs, were one of our favourite dishes. So soft and moist, with an artful sprinkling of parmigiano, and toasted sourdough to ensure we had every opportunity to soak up the sea of tomato sauce.
We had a little bit of fun with our pasta dish. We chose a pasta we had not heard of before, Trofie. A short twisted variety from northern Italy. For the topping we could pick 5 different sauces, so we went with another wild card, Cacio & Pepe : Walnuts, romano and black pepper sauce.
Ciao Bella!
It had just turned 8pm in Seven, the candles on the tables were getting lit, the audience was pouring in to the theatre just next to the restaurant area.
Here is the lovely Inari who looked after us for the night, an absolute pleasure to meet and she really made our evening.
Chalk board extraordinaire skills by Harriet one of Sevens dedicated volunteers. Harriet has her work cut out with the diverse line up across the food, show and entertainment programmes, we loved Harriet and her passion for supporting Seven in the community.
The Verdict: Seven has a fantastic vibe, so relaxing, and with a superb team spinning those plates. The food, was truly authentic, well presented, and delivered with Italian charm and energy.
The Hosts: Pat & Penny the Directors of Seven are the most wonderful hosts and have a smashing team under their passionate stewardship and love for Chapel Allerton. We have agreed we will get that photo shoot of Pat & Penny when we are next back!
Luigi, the man himself from Sardinia. What a character, loving the kitchen buzz at Seven Arts. Luigi is continuing his tour, with the next event at the North Food Festival in Roundhay 22/06/19. We are confident Luigi will be back at Seven Arts later this year!
Seven has so much more to offer! THEATRE & CINEMA!
June & beyond is lining up to have a brilliant variety of shows and musicians. There is a hidden theatre space waiting for you to check it out. Sevens Website has the full programme with tickets available to book for shows up to October and November this year.
For those film fanatics, every Monday the theatre turns in to a cinema space, what more could you want to beat those Monday blues, and on Sundays there is The Seven Quiz, with resident quiz master Roger Hunter.
Introducing The Chapel Allerton Blogs new Chief Family and Lifestyle Reviewer- Laura.
Soaking up the atmosphere, and the tomato sauce from Luigi's meatballs ;). Watch out for Laura out on tour reviewing the best day time spots for parents and children alike in the future.
http://www.sevenleeds.co.uk/
31A Harrogate Rd,
Chapel Allerton Leeds
LS7 3PD
Luigi Street Food Leeds: Instagram @LUIGISTREETFOOD
Food looks lush!!! Gutted to have missed this! Any insight on what the next kitchen takeover is going to be??
Looks and sounds amazing Ash! The risotto balls are novel!