City Tastes & Tipples: Quality Qubana is banking on a bright future

If you're going to deposit one million pounds, where better to do it than at the bank?

But if it’s no longer open - invest in the next best thing...like Wakefield’s Qubana.

The multi-award winning Cuban and Latin tapas and grill has become the cornerstone for culinary success in the city since it first opened almost a decade ago.

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Becoming so popular it moved from Northgate into the swanky surroundings of the old Barclays Bank building on the corner of Wood Street last year.

After an eye-watering £1 million refurb later, the place continues to be a by-word for quality in the city.

Jenny Thompson, who owns the restuarant with partner Matthew Burton, was confident the move was the best option.

The 30-year-old said: “We had an eye on the building and Qubana was doing so well - the reputation was brilliant and we outgrew the Northgate building.

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“We thought about Harrogate or Leeds but we’re from Wakefield and we love it here, and this was such a gorgeous building. It’s been amazing since we moved here.”

Designed by Matthew, everything in the 19th century bank building suggests quality from top to bottom, literally, from the tiles floors to the plush bar stools, leather-seated booths, original pillars and carefully-created ceiling roses.

The old bank vault has been converted into a private dining room, complete with it’s thick steel door still in tact, while the garden roof terrace have proved a hit.

Of course, this is meaningless without quality food, which it has in abundance, along with the cocktails and huge gin selection which ensures the place is packed out regularly.

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From Jambalaya to steaks, squid and Jerk chicken, all are served with a Latin touch.

And it’s not just weekends with brunch, afternoon teas, tribute act nights and live music continuing to turn heads.

Jenny added: “When we moved here, people’s expectations went through the roof, but people are wowed when they step in here, and everything we do has got to match that now.”