Simon Shaw, Chef Patron and Creative Director of El Gato Negro, has confirmed he is to open a third El Gato Negro… back in the same county where the acclaimed tapas restaurant first started in 2007.

Customers old and new will be delighted to see El Gato Negro secure the elegant stone-clad building at 35 Park Row, Leeds – the former site of Jamie’s Italian – with plans to open in winter 2019.

Speaking on news of the expansion Simon said:

“I was born and raised in Yorkshire and got my first real footing as a chef in Leeds; it’s always been my intention to return and open a restaurant in the city.   

“I’ve spent the last four years looking for the right location and when the Jamie’s site became available it was too good an opportunity to miss.  It’s a beautiful building steeped in history and has the most incredible features; while El Gato Negro restaurants will be consistent in great quality food and service, it’s essential to me that every restaurant has its own identity, its own story to tell.  Finding the right heritage building in the right location is key to that, we’ll not compromise on either.   

“I’ve worked hard building a management team that sees us capable of expansion.  I’m confident in our position and am looking forward to opening both in Leeds and, this August, in Liverpool; two of the North’s most exciting cities.”

We’ll share more details closer to the launch date but in the meantime if you’d like a taste of what El Gato Negro has to offer, please sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media.