Tattu is a high-end, contemporary Chinese restaurant famed for its dark and moody interiors and unique fusion food. The concept was initially founded by brothers Adam and Drew Jones in 2015 who wanted to create an innovative dining experience that combines modern cooking techniques with immersive design and exceptional service. The name of the restaurant derives from the words ‘tattoo’ and ‘tatau’, with the latter referring to an ancient word from eastern culture meaning ‘to make a mark’.
The interiors at Tattu in Leeds, and indeed all its restaurants, offer a mysterious and immersive atmosphere. Dark marble floors, stone grey walls and low-level lighting are offset by a mass of purple blossom hanging from the brand’s signature cherry blossom tree above (a symbol of good luck). The idea is to take guests on a sensory journey from the traditional East to the modern West.
Guests can choose to dine from either the a la carte or tasting menus (a vegetarian option is also available). There are two tasting menus, each one varying in length and price depending on how hungry you’re feeling, but both are comprised of a curated list of dishes from the main menu. Tattu encourages a sharing style of dining, with examples of small plates including tuna sashimi wontons with sesame, soy and avocado and lobster and prawn toast with sesame and sweet and sour chilli sauce. Larger dishes, meanwhile, feature caramel soy aged beef fillet with shiitake, ginger and asparagus, Shanghai black cod with hoisin, ginger and lime and Chinese BBQ chicken with chilli, sweet soy and pickled cucumber.
Don’t neglect the drinks list which comprises a fascinating array of signature cocktails. You might choose a Cherry Blossom Negroni made with gin, cherry blossom and Campari, or a Junzi Bento Box made with vodka, blood orange and mint. An extensive wine list of popular and more premium bottles are sourced from regions all over the world, while sakes, spirits and non-alcoholic cocktails can also be found further down the menu.