Iv not Eaten here just supporting a fellow chef! No point on the negative reviews because of something put on his menu! Keep up the good work Chef!
What an amazing restaurant food and service were top class. Would highly recommend for a special evenings dining
fantastic food and great staff. for those 1 star reviews from people who have not set foot in the place, why waste your time?
Foie gras is fantastic �
Iv not eaten here, but neither have the 100 1* vegan reviews below �. So why not give a 5* and annoy the vegans �
So as Vegans think this is ok to try and ruin a restaurant that is producing great food. Just because of their beliefs, I think we should all start to leave 1* reviews on Vegan restaurants and battle back!
Had the joy of eating here last spring and it was wonderful! Every single course was outstanding and I would eat here again in a heartbeat. Please ignore all the negative reviews below eating here was heaven and Michael O’Hare was a pleasure to meet
Fantastic
A foodie heaven. Knowledgeable staff explained each of the courses in detail. We had the accompanying wine which made the evening special. The presentation and attention to detail was amazing, and the flavours exploded in the mouth. Forgot to take photo's or remember the names of dishes, but believe me they were fab.
Windowless; the ultra-modern, mirrored yet spacious interior exudes elegance and perfection. Throw in some quirky little 'devil dudes' and branded skateboards, and as I sit and sip my equally stylish kumquat and cardamom infused G & T, the experience already feels like a form of escapism. You're not in Leeds. Instead it feels like you're awaiting the launch of the space shuttle to Michael O'Hare's imagination and own, unique culinary planet. That'll be T-15 minutes and counting then...
It’s been quite a year for Michael O’Hare (he’s the chap with the crazy black mullet). His first Michelin star was awarded to his restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds, then he won the regional heats and cooked the fish course at the banquet on BBC’s Great British Menu. And he’s had a haircut – it’s all go.
I'm starting to write this on Monday 14th September, just before our holiday and four days before the new Michelin Guide comes out. (You'll have to take my word for it). I'm predicting that chef Michael O'Hare will get a new star as I heavily hinted in my last review and that I've being saying for some time. In fact I've already congratulated the chef perhaps prematurely and he thought tempting fate. But I think it's already in the bag. We actually sat opposite the Michelin inspector last time. (The mysterious lone diner from the last review). He caught Mrs B as she was licking the plate which she thinks swung the vote in the restaurants favour. * As I'm sure you now know they did get the star, coincidentally I happened to pick up my phone on holiday just as it was announced earlier than scheduled, amazing news, we were so chuffed for them.
Now my write-ups usually consist of breaking down each individual dish and commenting (expertly…ahem) on them, however when it comes to Man Behind the Curtain (MBTC for short) I’m going to give a general overview of my experience and hopefully let the incredible photographs (taken by my trusty sidekick and dining partner-in-crime – Laura Fell) do most of the talking!
Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable dining surprises of the year for me and it will easily make my top 5 meals of the year, I went in with little to no expectations and came away massively impressed. There was absolutely nothing I could fault, which is rare for me. The service was absolutely impeccable, with a mixture of servers and chefs presenting each course with the usual explanations you come to expect in a restaurant like this. Honestly, it was up there with the best service i've experienced - extremely professional yet at the same time it felt laid back and welcoming rather than stuffy and sterile like fine-dining often becomes. I was full of questions as the food being served was genuinely interesting to me and everyone had answers on the tip of their tongue.
Victoria “Mrs” Petticoat
+4.5
A co-worker recently asked me what I am passionate* about and after a brief bout of pondering I have come up with a definitive list. 1: Eating food 2. Growing my hair really long 3. Moshing around my kitchen to heavy metal 4. Cuddling dogs (and cats if they let me) 5. Books All of the above make me as happy as Larry (apart from when cats don’t let me cuddle them) and so when I came across chef Michael O’Hareand his twitter name Hair Metal Chef, I knew his restaurant The Man Behind TheCurtain in Leeds was a place I had to visit. Saturday dinner reservations have become as hard to find asa cat that will let me cuddle it, so we had to wait a few months for our booking, but before we knew it that cold January day arrived and we were on a train venturing east with some chums. The restaurant is more man above a designer clothes shop than behind a curtain and we oddly had to venture through a Flannels store past a burly bouncer and clothes that I can’t afford nor fit into. We were soon whisked up the rabbit hole and confronted by a moodily lit restaurant with a heavy metal soundtrack. The tables were spaced suitably far apart, which pleased me greatly, as with such an incredible playlist and my ridiculously long hair, I was almost certainly going to get my mosh on later. In the evening it is tasting menu only at a cost of £65. There are also two wine pairings available, the basic selection is £25 and a premium option for £45. I know very little about wine other than it tastes nice and makes me 50% more awesome so decided on the less costly of the two. But of course we started with a cocktail - my violet gin and tonic was like parma violets in a very posh glass and matched my nail polish so this was a double win. Fois Gras Doughnut Mackerel & coffee bonbon Coriander tortilla with pea puree Scallop with chorizo Milk bread, sour cream, black pudding, salmon roe, lemon zest It’s always refreshing to see a bread course with a difference and even better when it involves one o
The meal started with a series of snacks – Raw Razor Clam in a mussel consommé with dill oil, which was a delightfully subtle dish; a Squid Ink Mussel, which was crisp and had a lovely smack of salt; a Chicken Skin Wafer with a Thai chicken pate and petals and a Foie Gras Magnum, which was the only disappointment due to it’s gluey texture and nuts which had lost their bite.
We dined at TMBTC last night and what an incredible experience! The food was absolutely spot on. We opted for the standard wine pairing and the service was absolutely incredible - Tom and Dom are a real credit to the restaurant. As it was my birthday they allowed us to tour the kitchen during service to see ‘behind the curtain’! An amazing night all round and we can’t wait to see what changes the new year brings!
We had a phenomenal first experience at the restaurant after plenty of raved recommendations. The service was highly attentive and the food was created with so much flare & flavour that cannot be faulted. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Bit late given that the concept is changing at the end of the year but I've been here twice and absolutely adored it both times.
One of my favourite tasting menus, so creative.
Wow! What can I say….an excellent culinary experience.
We had the taster menu with matching wine pairings and we were blown away with the food and drinks we were served.
Not everything was as it seemed, but that’s the skill of the chefs and Michael O’Hare (who we actually met!).
Highly recommend, it is expensive but you get what you pay for, the service from start to finish was impeccable.
One of my all time favourite places to dine- Looking forward to the relaunch as Psycho Sandbar.
💫💖 Happy New Year & a fabulous 2024 🥂💋
It'd been several years since we'd been to The Man Behind the Curtain - before it had moved from above Flannels to below it in fact. We were delighted to find that the experience and quality of food were as good as they'd been before.
Ahead of our meal we enjoyed a delicious Vermouth and snacks in the lounge area before being escorted to our table for the meal proper to begin. As when we'd visited previously each of the dishes was fantastic with Emancipation once again being a highlight. The duck dish that followed it was equally good.
Service was excellent and at a nice, leisurely pace so the meal never felt rushed. The surroundings and music were as impressive as ever and it was just a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an evening. Hats off to Michael O'Hare.
It was wonderful. A complete experience of visual art, dining, taste, with incredible audio and excellent service.
Thank you for giving us such a treat.
We've been wanting to come here for a couple of years and it certainly didn't disappoint. Yes; it's very expensive, the drinks menu is quite limited, but the food was like nothing we've ever eaten before. All of the dishes we're very imaginative, crazy, quirky, but most importantly delicious. We had the matched juice for each course which were equally surprising but all very tasty. The chefs clearly take pride in what they've created. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
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This has to be one of leeds finest and most creative dining experiences ever. I’ve eaten at TMBTC quite a few times now. And over the years Micheal has adapted and changed the menu so you’re always surprised. Some of the mains and Great British menu winners remain so you get taste of the winning dish!
Now this comes at a price. I don’t mind paying for this experience and good food at all!! The main 12 course menu starts about £150pp and then you add your drinks parings. I love this because you don’t have to have alcohol. In fact, the last time I’ve been I couldn’t drink because I’m pregnant, the juices have all been naturally created in house, were so good, I really think they should bottle it and sell them. Especially the pineapple and basil!!! Personal favourite.
Allergies - informed the staff when booking and a few minor changes were made so it was all pregnancy safe. My partner is celiac and our other friend has a nut allergy. Every detail was catered for, nothing was reduced, they simply amended and created a similar taste sensation.
The atmosphere and staff are incredible. You feel like you could be sat is some
Quirky New York basement or Tokyo high rise. Certainly doesn’t feel like leeds city centre. Let yourself be immersed by the creative story that is a taste sensation you’ll never forget and you’ll definitely want to come back!
The decor, the lighting, the aroma of the toilets, the attention to detail is exquisite. However, the food, just didnt want it to end, absolutely sublime. The wine was fabulous too, and the staff were impeccable 😋
How many different ways can you say wow?! What an experience. Definitely worth a visit, although due to the prices not somewhere you can visit too often, unless you're rolling in money! That being said for a special occasion treat it's well worth the expenditure. Each course delighted us just as much or more than the one before it. The staff were amazing, so attentive and friendly. I can't pick any faults not even a small one. The restaurant itself is trendy and opulent. Even the toilets are decadent. What a way to spend my birthday.
A very special restaurant experience for my birthday celebrations. Had been hard to get a table and we felt fortunate to have a Friday lunchtime booking confirmed.
We knew this would be special...
But wow! The decor, service and experience were unlike any other. And we've been fortunate enough to enjoy one and two star restaurants
Stunning dishes with a mostly monochrome colour scheme. Plating and presentation was out of this world
Thank you to the whole team for a fantastic lunch and one heck of an experience 🤘
Hands down without a doubt one of the most delicious and amazing experiences i've ever had. Food was exquisite, as were the drinks pairing. Service was totally on point. Well worth a visit for a very special occasion.
First off, and surprisingly given the nature of the food, it was an utterly unpretentious experience. No stony faced waiters, no cold formal ambience, just a genuinely relaxed evening with warm and friendly staff. The kind of place (if not for the smart dress code) which makes you feel you could pop in for a quick bite to eat in your comfies!
We went for the permanent collection with the prestige drinks pairing. I hadn't looked at the menu ahead of time so every time the table was reset for the next course, I was excited to see what I was going to get. And I wasn't disappointed. The food and presentation was delicious and just a whole lot of fun. My particular favourite was the pate and caviar!
OK, it isn't cheap, but think of it as paying for an experience where the food is just included. We were there for about 3.5 hours in total and enjoyed every second. We were told they're due to launch a new menu, so I have no doubt we'll be back!
Some of the best food I've eaten in my life. Had a wonderful experience. Wish the cocktail menu was a bit more extensive as if you don't like gin, whiskey and vermouth it's rather limited. Wine list good though so made up for it :). Would definitely recommend. The 'emancipation' dish is just beautiful.
What can I say.
Superb superb, superb.
Loved every second of it and it truly was like being part of an experience, not just a meal.
One piece of feedback to the servers- we need to be able to HEAR what you are saying so if you have a strong accent then slow it down. More exciting if we know what we are eating.
Truly excellent server tall chap, ginger/blond hair, slim and stubble. His introductions were AWESOME.
Food blew us away. Amazing combinations, mind blowing flavours.
Few months and we'll look for the new menu.
Had to book lunch here 10 months in advance and oh it was worth it. You enter through the lift of a clothes shop (very cool) and you walk into a warehouse / art gallery style dining room. The staff were attentive but not overbearing. The food was exceptional. The lavender dessert was one of the best desserts I've ever had but there were numerous stand out dishes. The whole experience was phenomenal and highly recommended.
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