Rosa’s Thai Cafe continues northern expansion

Rosa’s Thai Cafe, the restaurant group founded by Thai chef Saiphin Moore, will open its first restaurant in Leeds on 4 May in Trinity Leeds shopping centre.

The new restaurant will be Rosa’s second opening outside the capital, with both in the north of England, following the launch of their Liverpool restaurant in February 2019, and it will become the 17th in the Rosa’s portfolio.

Launched in 2008 by Moore and her husband Alex on east London’s Brick Lane, Rosa’s Thai Cafe has built a reputation for bold, punchy flavours and dishes inspired by her childhood, growing up on her family’s farm in northern Thailand.

Rosa’s use the best in fresh British produce alongside traditional Thai ingredients, such as coconut milk, jasmine rice and tamarind paste, the key ingredient in its best selling Pad Thai, which are sourced directly from farmers in Thailand.

Guests to the new Leeds restaurant can also expect comforting Thai favourites including the red curry with chicken and pineapple alongside dishes less frequently found in the UK such as spicy grilled steak salad and stir-fried aubergine.

The northern expansion of the brand has been driven by managing director Gavin Adair who secured the Leeds site earlier in 2018.

 

Adair said: “Leeds is the next step in building out our cluster of sites in the northwest and it’s a city I know and love since starting my working career here some 25 years ago. I’m thrilled to be bringing our authentic food and straightforward hospitality to a place that feels like home.

“It’s foodie credentials mean it has a range of interesting independent businesses through to some of the best offer brands and we think our small group mentality, and more importantly small group quality, will sit squarely in the middle. The Trinity centre has been on my radar for a long time and we’re excited to get the site open and push on with our measured growth.”

The 140 cover restaurant includes seating for 60 customers inside and a further 80 al fresco, and features a terrace with views of the city. Furnishings in rich reds and greens will complement the white walls, for a “fresh and vibrant” feel. The scheme will be finished with foliage, as well as brass and marble elements.