Ian Waller and his family enjoy a half term lunch at a fast food restaurant with a difference…
Do you want to know the sign of a successful family meal out? If the children are still speaking about it in glowing terms a few hours later, then it’s certainly worth a return visit .
For my youngest, it was the criss cross style baked fries at the just-opened Leon in Bath that were the subject of his praise, with him describing them as, “The best chips ever,” and “Banging.”
Our visit to Leon was part of a holiday trip into town, timed somewhere around 11 to give teenagers a chance to get up and earlier enough to miss the inevitable lunchtime queues.
Leon was a new one on me – situated bang opposite the Abbey Square and just a perfect location for families after a spot of quick lunch, and visitors to the city and workers after something a bit different from the normal. As someone who really isn’t a fan of the golden arches, the promise of a new menu with healthy, freshly prepared choices and more than a nod to the environment really jumped out.
Right upon entering Leon in Bath, you can tell it’s going to be a change from the fast food norm. The decor is colourful and inviting, there’s no thumping bass driven background music and while busy, there’s a more easy-going atmosphere.
With around 20 seats meaning that there’s not a lot of room for eating in, the main focus of the place is takeaway, so for most customers, this isn’t a concern. Orders are via an app or the screens to the right of the shop, with the Leon team on hand if you need some help.
The meals offer a really attractive combination of traditional favourites alongside some more exciting options, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, and a focus on healthier eating, such as keeping sugar, salt and saturated fat to a minimum and increasing the number of plant-based options.
As we were in an early lunch kinda time slot, we went for a grilled halloumi wrap (£6.29), jerk chicken mezze (£3.99), chargrilled chicken burger (£6.99), a Lentil Masala Rice box regular deal with seasonal slaw and Karma Razza Raspberry Lemonade (£9.73), a large fries (£3.29), regular fries (£2.99), mango, lime and dragon fruit smoothie (£3.99), an iced latte (£3.70) and a good old cup of tea for boring dad (£2.60).
Checking through the Leon website during our very short wait for the food to be prepared, and there’s a lot to like about the company. The company’s sustainability strategy focuses on three specific goals – increasing the number of plants on its menu, renewable energy and reducing its use of plastics. Similarly, the coffee is organic, Fairtrade and rainforest friendly, while there’s also a discount if you bring along your own cup for hot drinks.
Within about 5-10 minutes the food was ready, with my youngest, of course, going straight for the criss-cross waffle-style fries, which were, as he exclaimed, really excellent. In fact, across the table the food was anywhere from good to really impressive.
While the chicken burger tasted fresh and well cooked, the wrap was full of flavour and the rice box the undisputed star of the show, tasty, well presented and full of great tastes. Similarly the drinks were just the job, with the brightly coloured fruit smoothie eagerly dispatched.
Around us, the few seats were taken up by a couple of families and friends enjoying a coffee together, while by about 11.45 the queue was starting for form for lunchtime service. Throughout the staff were friendly and attentive, happy to make those tweaks to orders that we all want but can’t necessarily do on the app, and we even had a, “Thank you visiting, please come again,” as we left.
With an impressive choice of breakfast options available alongside the lunch menu, Leon makes a great option for quick meals in Bath throughout the day, as well as healthier than usual takeaway options. And as for those fries – banging!