Leek in North Staffordshire is fortunate to have a healthy selection of dining venues, but it has been lacking in fine dining options. Fortunately, Ozgur Yeter, the owner of the very popular Leek Bar and Grill, has opened a wonderful new restaurant that brings another touch of much-needed elegance and class to the town’s dining scene. The Inkspot is located just off Derby Street, in the heart of the town’s commercial district, with ample parking adjacent. Occupying what was once a former silk mill and the headquarters of the Leek Times Newspaper (hence the homage to the local iconic paper in the name).
Ozgur (affectionately called Oz by the locals) has lovingly begun implementing a three-stage plan to renovate and reinvent this historic building. The first stage is the successful creation of a restaurant and bar on the first floor, with a cosy, separate lounge bar on the other side.
Our first visit was for lunch. We discovered The Inkspot while parking in the adjacent public lot and, seeing it was open, walked in. The tone of a dining experience always begins with the initial welcome. The head matre’d, Endri, greeted us warmly. Unfamiliar with the restaurant, we were immediately impressed. It was clear we were about to embark on an unexpected and distinctive dining experience.
The exquisite attention to detail in the interior design is a joy and a testament to Oz’s approach and respect for preserving as much of the building’s original integrity as possible. What he has also achieved on the main floor so far is to incorporate sensitive, practical elements (for example, the whimsical coat and bag hooks located at every table) with elegant modern touches of bold color, and cozy, intimate, comfortable dining seating choices that evoke a sense of privacy. These, along with some creative dramatic lighting, furnishings and art that pay homage to the building’s history, and a cozy wood-burning stove, all combine to create an intimate feeling and aesthetic that is very difficult to achieve in such a cavernous space.
Endri gave us our choice of table and, once seated, presented us with the menu and asked whether we had dined with them before. On learning that we had not, and that we had originally planned to go to the Leek Bar and Grill, he began to tell us about the connection between the two restaurants and about Ozgur’s vision for the building and the planned renovation of the rest of it. We were fortunate that the restaurant was new and not yet very busy that day during lunch service, so we had ample time during our meal to engage with Endri much more than would normally have been permissible.
The menu offers both lunch and dinner, but emphasizes evening options. For lunch, we chose the Inkspot hamburger and the chicken bacon Caesar salad. When asked about the limited lunch selections, Endri said a more lunch-focused menu is being developed and should launch in the spring. The Caesar salad arrived well-presented, highlighted by warm chicken. The burger, cooked to a perfect medium, was elevated by red onion jam.
We enjoyed our lunch so much that we couldn’t wait to return for dinner. Being an evening, we booked ahead, and on arrival we were greeted once again warmly by Endri, who remembered us from our previous visit.
Our dinner choices included pan-fried hake fillet served on a chorizo and butterbean cassolette with crispy kale. The fish skin was perfectly crisp, and the flesh flaky and moist. The cassoulet provided just the right amount of spice and heat to complement the delicacy of the Hake without overwhelming it. The roasted rack of lamb consisted of three generous, perfectly medium-cooked, juicy chops. On arrival, each dish is artfully displayed, not only pleasing the eye but also making the desire to dive in all the more urgent. All our meals were tasty, satisfying and served hot.
For our third visit, we opted for the Sunday lunch menu, which showcases The Inkpot’s take on classic British dishes. The roast beef impressed, accompanied by one of the largest Yorkshire puddings I’ve seen in a restaurant. Oz was hands-on, ensuring smooth operations and engaging with diners. He recognized us and spent several minutes genuinely interested in our thoughts and suggestions. He also shared his vision for upcoming developments on The Inkspot’s second and third floors. Leek is in for another treat.
Oz is a rare entrepreneur who genuinely wants guest feedback, especially on how to improve the experience. He understands the importance of loyal local clientele as the backbone of The Inkspot’s success and adapts his vision when needed. Together with his dynamic front-of-house leader, Endri, they strive to continually evolve The Inkspot into a premium venue.
Given the quality of the ingredients, creativity, and visual presentation, the prices are highly competitive and reasonable. The atmosphere suits any occasion or celebration. The service at The Inkspot is impeccable, professional, and never pretentious. While some team members have more fine-dining experience, it’s clear that ongoing training is in place. Every staff member is consistently polite and accommodating.
The Inkspot is elevating Leek’s dining experience. I hope that the menu will vary frequently to offer even more incentive to keep customers eager to return.
The Inkspot
3 Market Street
Leek ST13 6HX
Phone: +44 1538 323657
Overall score: 5.0
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