On Thursday, I was invited down to the pre launch dinner at Madre, a new Mexican spot in Leeds and it’s safe to say, this is a good one.
Madre comes with a bit of background, too. Originally from Liverpool, where it’s built up a strong reputation, the team has expanded with a site in Manchester and now one in Leeds. This is alongside their sister venue, Salon Madre, a tequila-led Mexican pool and taqueria hall with a smaller food offering.
The menu takes influence from Mexico City, Guadalajara and Oaxaca – think familiar Mexican dishes, but with ingredients and flavour combinations that feel brand new.
First impressions are strong when you step inside. It’s an open and colourful space, with good music and an open kitchen, something that always stands out to me in a restaurant. Even on a busy launch night, it felt organised rather than chaotic. This is very much the type of place you go for the atmosphere as much as the food.
My guest and I started with some drinks from their extensive list of cocktails, spirits, soft drinks and beer. I went for the Honey Peach cocktail, where the honey really carried the flavour and gave it a smooth sweetness, while my guest had the Pineapple Picante, the perfect balance of spicy and sweet.
On offer tonight was the ‘Madre’s Table’ menu option. Designed for sharing, this is priced at £35 each for two, or £45 for a group. If you’re indecisive or just want to try a bit of everything, this is definitely the way to go. It covers a mix of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, all served tapas-style.
This time around, Madre’s Table was made up of a range of creative dishes, including Guacamole y Totopos, Chicharron de Puerco y Cola, Contramar Tuna Tostada, Baja Fish Tacos, Green Chorizo Costra Tacos, Cordero al Carbon, Fire-Roasted Wild Mushrooms, BBQ Pollo Negro and Madre Caesar.
Food wise, this is where Madre really sets themselves apart, with a mix of flavours and combinations that work together really well. My standout dish was the Contramar Tuna Tostada. A tuna dish isn’t something I’d expect from a Mexican restaurant, but it was incredibly fresh, very light and full of flavour.
The Cordero al Carbon was definitely up there, too. Lamb isn’t something I’d typically go for, but I’m so glad it came out as it ended up being a favourite of mine and a must try if you plan on going. The slow cooked meat was so tender it just fell apart and it was paired perfectly with pistachio and avocado sauce, a combination that wouldn’t initially come to mind but worked so well for the dish.
Portion sizes were spot on, considering the number of dishes coming out – and the timing between each round was well judged. It was enough time to actually enjoy each plate without things piling up, but no long waits either, which was impressive, given how busy the launch night was.
Service also stood out. We were looked after by Fletch, who was friendly, attentive and clearly confident with both the menu and any questions we had, even ahead of the official opening.
Food served with a friendly face always adds to the experience and that was definitely the case here; service that felt genuine from start to finish.
Overall, this is a great addition to the City. It feels different from what we already have and more importantly, it’s done right. Now officially open to the public, I’d not only recommend a visit, but also trying the ‘Madre’s Table’ menu if you’re open to stepping outside your usual picks.
A new take on Mexican, with flavours and ingredients you might not expect, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. After all, Madre knows best.
Photography by Daisy Shortt, unless otherwise captioned.
Main image provided by Madre.
