Saturday Kitchen’s James Martin to open Leeds restaurant

The Clarence Dock casino’s ground floor restaurant space, formerly known as The Fig, will be transformed into The Leeds Kitchen by James Martin ready for its opening at the end of March.

The strictly over 18s, fine dining restaurant will serve “best of British” cuisine using as much local produce as possible.

Local interior designer Carolyn Parker has been contracted to design the space.

Martin, a Yorkshire-born chef himself, said he had been looking for a restaurant space for “some time”.

“I am delighted to be opening my new restaurant at Alea Casino,” he said. “It’s a stunning venue and has everything under one roof. What better way to put the icing on the cake by launching my new venture there. I can’t wait to open shortly, and deliver – along with my team - some of the best of British cooking Leeds has experienced.”

Leeds Kitchen​

The restaurant joins Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia’s The Bird Restaurant, as well as a further five bars and various events and conference spaces.

Michael Silberling, chief executive of London Clubs International (LCI), which operates Alea as well as nine other casinos across the UK, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming such a fantastic talent as James to our Leeds casino. James' passion for excellence and the quality of dining experience he guarantees will bring a new dimension not just to Alea, but to Clarence Dock and Leeds as a whole.”

Martin currently co-owns Cadogan & James delicatessens in Winchester, and operates two restaurants aboard Ocean Village cruise liners.

LCI is owned by Harrah’s Entertainment, which acquired the company in 2006.