Hot on the heels of last month's visit to Rosa 12, we visited its sister venue The Bank. The grade II listed former Lloyds Bank building cuts an imposing figure and lends a semblance of style to Low Fell's bustling high street.
Inside the stone-walled exterior lies a gastrobar of the highest calibre. The Bank offers an upmarket bistro experience with a particular emphasis on Thai food in addition to other international classics.
Our first impressions were good as we noted the interior had been exquisitely refurbished. Shades of chocolate and sage combine to provide a warm allure whilst trendy mock redbrick wallpaper, exposed filament bulbs and leather bound chairs further contribute to the classy yet cosy décor. Far removed from your typical Lloyds TSB then?
Under starter’s orders, we first drank in the atmosphere with a couple of pints at the bar before adjourning to our cosy corner table.
The Bank boasts a stylish offering of burgers, steaks, sharing platters, tapas and curries with something sure to be found for everyone.
As is his wont, Jack kicked off with the panko breaded calamari spiked with a garlic aioli dip singing with fresh lemon. I meanwhile greedily tucked in to the tempura king prawns with Asian slaw and sweet chilli dip – a speciality from the Bank’s ‘Taste of Thailand’ specialities.
A comparable sense of quality was apparent in our main courses too. Jack chose a fresh and aromatic Thai green chicken curry with fresh chunks of butternut squash, spring onions and aubergine, delicately spiced with chilli and coriander.
I meanwhile “just had to” assess The Bank’s steak-frying credentials. Sirloin served in a peppercorn sauce is a firm favourite of mine and the 8oz sirloin steak was just right for a lunchtime and did not disappoint. Pangriddled, yet also vivid pink and juicy, the steak was cooked precisely to my liking and was complemented excellently by a silky and seductive Malbec wine.
There’s no need to bring your chequebook either with many main plates clocking in at around £12. Certainly great value to be had here especially given the quality of the produce.
This had been a superb meal yet it wasn’t over yet. The Caribbean Eton mess had been winking at us all afternoon so we rounded off with a lovely sharing portion embellished with pineapple, mango, passionfruit and coconut shavings.
After a close inspection then, The Bank certainly appears to warrant the hype bringing quality international food against a backdrop of style and sophistication. With ample parking spaces available at the rear of the building it’s the ideal venue for a lunchtime/evening repast. Being open Tuesday- Sunday from 11am, it also lends itself nicely to a business rendezvous. You can bank on that.