Renowned chef chooses Leeds to open third tapas venue

A new tapas restaurant is to be opened at the former Jamie’s Italian site in Leeds by a renowned chef.

Simon Shaw, Chef Patron and Creative Director of acclaimed Spanish tapas restaurant, El Gato Negro, has confirmed he is to open a tapas restaurant at 35 Park Row – the former site of Jamie’s Italian.

The news sees Yorkshire chef return to his roots, bringing El Gato Negro, the restaurant he founded in Ripponden some 14 years ago before relocating to Manchester.

Upon launch, the restaurant will be Shaw’s third El Gato Negro restaurant, joining King Street, Manchester, and soon-to-open Exchange Flags, Liverpool.  It is hoped the Leeds restaurant will open in winter 2019.

Shaw said: “I was born and raised in Yorkshire and got my first real footing as a chef in Leeds; it’s always been my intention to return and open a restaurant in the city.

“I’ve spent the last four years looking for the right location and when the Jamie’s site became available it was too good an opportunity to miss.  It’s a beautiful building steeped in history and has the most incredible features; whilst El Gato Negro restaurants will be consistent in great quality food and service, it’s essential to me that every restaurant has its own identity, its own story to tell.  Finding the right heritage building in the right location is key to that, we’ll not compromise on either.

“I’ve worked hard building a management team that sees us capable of expansion.  I’m confident in our position and am looking forward to opening in the city I still, in many respects, call home.”

El Gato Negro is renowned for providing seasonally inspired dishes reflecting a mix of modern and traditional Spanish flavours and techniques, with influences from closer to home.

The restaurant has received recognition from Hardens, Michelin, The Times and The Good Food Guide, and this year, was awarded a prestigious Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for the third year running.

El Gato Negro is a partnership between Simon Shaw and Mills Hill Developments.

The new premises were secured by Louise Larking of Fox Lloyd Jones, acting on behalf of Mills Hill Developments Ltd, with Richard Shuttleworth at Pudney Shuttleworth acting on behalf of KPMG the administrators.

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