Chef and co-owner of acclaimed Leeds-based bistro Bavette, Sandy Jarvis is a trusted source of restaurant recommendations in Yorkshire and beyond. Alongside his husband Clement Cousin, Sandy hatched the idea for Bavette during lockdown - the by-product of boredom and plenty of home cooking - and the pair opened their neighbourhood spot in 2024.
Inspired by classical French cooking, Bavette blends Sandy’s experience in the kitchen with Clement’s knowledge as a sommelier - the restaurant offers an exclusive blend from Clement’s family vineyard. With both front, and back-of-house covered, Bavette was quick to earn itself some serious accolades, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand just one year after opening. But the ethos behind Bavette remains humble - sustainable produce, genuine hospitality and a warm atmosphere.
Before Bavette, Sandy’s passion for cooking materialised after he left university and moved to London to attend Leiths Culinary School. Having learned the tricks of the trade, he got his first chef role at Racine in Knightsbridge, and later moved to Terroir - London’s original natural wine bar - where he met Clement. Here, he worked his way up from chef de partie to head chef, over the course of five and a half years, before launching The Culpeper in 2014.
Sandy led The Culpeper kitchen for 18 months and progressed to Managing Director as the pub grew to have four venues across London. After nine years of overseeing the powerhouse restaurant group, Sandy ultimately felt a pull away from London and back towards his home town of Wetherby. When a restaurant site opened up in nearby Horsforth, he snapped it up and Bavette was born.
While Sandy works full-time at his restaurant, his new countryside venture has afforded him a better work-life balance - giving him more time to try out new restaurants! Here’s everywhere he's been loving lately...
Myse, Hovingham
![tasting menu with steak and roe]()
Sandy Jarvis says: 'Josh Overington and his wife Victoria have created a really special place with Myse - absolutely delicious food, beautifully presented, and a celebration of the produce from the area. The service is so relaxing and friendly with the team geared to make sure you’re having the best time. We also had the non-alcoholic drinks pairing which I’d never done before, but it was incredible. They make all their drinks in-house and put so much effort into it, rather than it being an afterthought. We did have a look at their wine list and it's full of absolute bangers - we really want to go back and try some of them.'
Where: Main Street, YO62 4LF
Book now: Myse
Higher Ground, Manchester
![tagliatelle with beef and basil and caramel tart with ice cream]()
Sandy Jarvis says: 'I love this place in Manchester. A couple of years ago, we sat at the bar and had probably my favourite meal of that year. It's really respectful and considered cooking from Joe, with vegetables from the restaurant's own farm. Daniel and Richard lead the front-of-house team and they just ooze hospitality. It’s so classy but in such a relaxed way.'
Where: New York Street, M1 4DY
Book now: Higher Ground
Smoking Goat, London
![noodles with spinach and wok over flame]()
Sandy Jarvis says: 'When we lived in Bethnal Green, this was my go to place for a bite to eat on my own. I’d love to go on a quiet afternoon after the lunch rush and sit at the bar, get some fish sauce wings, a laab or maybe the pork chop, always the lardo rice, a cocktail or two, and have the best time. I've probably been there more than any other restaurant and love it every time.'
Where: 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
Book now: Smoking Goat
Elliot's, London
![bottle of red wine and steak frites]()
Sandy Jarvis says: 'There are very few places that tick all the boxes like Elliot's does. The food is so delicious - really top cooking with bags of flavour, while allowing the ingredients to sing. But the service is what has always stood out for me - the team are so friendly and really know their stuff. Their wine list is really top-notch and they have the knowledge to back it up. It’s always a great atmosphere and such a fun place.'
Where: 12 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD
Book now: Elliot's
Highland Laddie, Leeds
![cosy pub interiors and oysters with tabasco]()
Sandy Jarvis says: 'Having run pubs for 10 years, I appreciate how hard it is to get the balance right between a sympathetic restoration and something that is right for today. Sam and Nicole have nailed it here. The bar is perfect, with a great selection of local cask ales on offer. The dining room is just as you’d want - really informal but with delicious food, that suits the environment. There's pub classics cooked on open fire, all done to a top standard. Oysters, pint of prawns, schnitzel, club steak by the inch… what's not to love?'
Where: 36-38 Cavendish Street, LS3 1LY
Book now: Highland Laddie
Hungry for more restaurant recommendations? See what Joe Laker, Amy Poon and Stu Deeley have to say about their favourite places to eat. And if you want to know what we think, check out SquareMeal's Top 100 Restaurants in the UK and London.