Veritas, Leeds

This large, split-level bar opposite Leeds General Infirmary, was previously the Waterhole Wine Bar, a Hogshead pub and the Portland Wine Bar, before Market Town Taverns took it over and opened it in its current guise back in October 2010. I entered the pub via the corner door, which takes you into the lower half of the pub - an L shaped bare boarded room focussed around a deli counter rather than a bar. There was definitely a moment of uncertainty as I perused a bar back filled with various preserves, conserves and cheeses, but a quick glance to the right assured me that I was actually in a pub, as the main bar area can be seen up the steps from here. The walls have been decorated with various wine, port and sherry posters and some shelves have been filled with champagne bottles, whilst a shop display can be seen in the front window. It's not very pubby, but seeing as I was here for a bite to eat, as well as a pint, I wasn't complaining. A doorway at the rear leads into a panelled rear room, painted in an off-white shade and furnished with a good deal of standard seating. Heading up to the main bar, the servery can be found on the back wall with plenty of good seating opposite in an area made light and airy by the large front windows. Lots of large wine and spirits posters add a splash of colour to the walls and you can move through into a further seating area to the right, which includes a raised section at the front of the building. The ale range was pretty exciting, with Thwaites Wainwright, Black Sheep Bitter, Roosters Astro, Saltaire Hopfen IPA and Triple Chocoholic, Taylor Best Bitter and Ilkley Mary Jane all available. I couldn't pass up the chance to try the Triple Chocoholic and it was its usual luscious self. I also sampled something called the Yorkshire Platter, which included various Yorkshire cheeses, pates and other such goodies, which I demolished with great relish. I feel a bit like a stuck record, but this is yet another winner from Market Town Taverns. The pub was doing a good trade on my Saturday evening visit and, given the quality of my food and drink, I can easily see why. There are a few very good pubs at this end of the city and this is up there with the best of them.