La Grassa Farsley review: I visited the new diner opened inside Amity Brew Co in Leeds
Amity Brew Co’s brewing operation has moved to Bradford - creating extra room in their Leeds brewpub.
Based at the historic Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farsley, Amity’s brewpub has been a huge hit with locals since its opening in December 2020.
Boasting cosy inside space, a fantastic beer garden and plenty of funky beverages, there was already plenty to love about Amity.
They have now introduced a diner, hosting La Grassa in the space once occupied by their brewing operation.
I was intrigued by their deviation from the path trodden by most breweries, which involves the serving of sourdough pizza by the slice.
Instead, Amity punters can now soak up their beers with Italian-American dishes from La Grassa.
I made my way down on a Tuesday evening, my appetite for some food and beer fuelled by the poking through of some March sun.
First and foremost, La Grassa are keeping it simple. The menu has just three sub sandwich options and then a further four non-sub dishes, as well as fries and three varieties of soft-serve ice cream.
This has enabled them to absolutely nail what they do offer. I went for the Meatball Hero - a sub packed with pork, veal and mortadella meatballs, provolone piccante, Calabrese chilli spread, marinara sauce and caper and pancetta crumb.
It came at a cost of £12.50, which represented good value for two main reasons.
Reason number one - it was delicious. The softness of the meatballs played perfectly with the crispiness of the crumbs and the spice was endearingly subtle.
Reason number two - the meatballs were absolutely massive.
I also ordered a portion of fries, paying £4. The portion was unbelievably generous and the menu should perhaps read ‘big old bucket of fries’.
That is certainly not a criticism because as far as fries go, these were quite literally the gold standard. Beautifully golden and crispy, they were the most American fries you could ever eat.
I consider myself a big eater and my belly supports this, but even a seasoned scoffer like myself failed to make my way to the foot of the seemingly bottomless pit.
Luckily, I had Amity’s juicy pale ale Waterpistol to help wash it all down.
It looked to be just a two-person operation yet service was incredibly quick. I sat down at my table with a buzzer and had three sips of my pint before I was summoned to collect my order.
It was beer food at his best - relatively straightforward and affordable yet perfectly-cooked, filling and moreish.
There is stiff competition in Farsley too, as the town street is awash with fantastic eateries. However, Amity appear to have struck gold. La Grassa should help keep punters on-site when hunger strikes and when those customers have their evening enriched, everyone’s a winner.
Amity were proving popular before their bold expansion but people appear to be getting behind their latest step. My visit was a second attempt, having travelled down four days prior only to find the place packed.
As hangry as it made me, I was pleased to see a buzz they have well and truly earned.
Factfile
Address: Sunny Bank Mills, Unit 15-16, Festoon Rooms, 83-85 Town Street, Farsley, LS28 5UJ
Telephone: 07572 953655
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 12-9p, Sunday 12-8pm.
Scores
Food: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Total: 8/10