YOU could, as I did, walk right past Home without knowing it was there.

Turning back again, along the busy Leeds city street, I noticed a sign next to a large black door. Opening it, we climbed a rather grand old staircase, which felt like it might lead to a secret hideaway.

Home was opened in 2017 by Elizabeth Cottam, a semi-finalist on the BBC's must-see MasterChef, and Michelin-starred head chef Mark Owens.

Mark began his career in the two Michelin star Le Gavroche, London's famous fine dining restaurant, and went on to be sous chef at The Star at Harome, near Helmsley. More recently he was head chef at The Box Tree in Ilkley, where his team retained the Michelin star in 2017.

After appearing on MasterChef in 2016, Elizabeth earned rave reviews during her successful residency at The New Ellington Hotel in Leeds.

As well as sharing a passion for food, Elizabeth and Mark have created a relaxed ambience at Home, with an intriguing sense of anticipation. With its vibrant interior design and bold seasonal menu, offering an exciting take on fine dining, this place has created quite a buzz in the lively restaurant hub of Leeds city centre.

Home is where "diners arrive as customers and leave as friends", says the promotional blurb. And once we reached the top of the stairs, to find ourselves in a chic lounge area, we were greeted by friendly staff who made us feel at home - or at Home - straight away. With brightly coloured sofas dotted around a stripped wood floor, and dark walls and low hanging lights creating a relaxed urban vibe, the spacious lounge is both funky and elegant, and is where diners are introduced to the Home experience.

Led to a sofa and each served a glass of red wine, we enjoyed a tasty amuse bouche of beetroot macaron meringue with a Harissa and goat cheese filling, nicely presented on a bed of cocoa nibs, and carrot tartare. It whet our appetite for the fabulous dining concept that followed.

The menu at Home changes each month, offering ever-changing seasonal flavours and ingredients. We enjoyed a series of dishes from a spring tasting menu; each beautifully presented and accompanied by a concise explanation. A friendly sommelier served a different wine with each course.

Re-defining fine dining, the menu embodies a respect for local produce; bringing flavours of Yorkshire to the plate while they're in season, with unexpected twists along the way.

The first course was rabbit (a tasty mushroom dish for me, a non meat-eater) with wild garlic and buttermilk, served with Domaine Roland Scmitt, a Riesling Alsace with a citrus zing. My dining companion was impressed with the full flavour and tenderness of the stewed rabbit.

Next came hand-dived Orkney scallop, with grapefruit and a fennel puree; fusing fresh flavours of the ocean and the earth, served with a a Sauvignon Blanc from Maipo, Chile.

Yorkshire lamb and thyme, in dripping crumb, was served with asparagus - and the crisp Austrian wine, Gruner Veltliner, brought out the green freshness of the first-of-the-season asparagus, served for me with a pickled foam.

A selection of artisan bread and butter was served with a fun twist, in little hessian sacks, accompanied by a Davenport sparkling rose, ahead of a main course of duck and artichoke - a "to die for" roasted and aromat glazed Yorkshire duck breast and slow-cooked duck leg with Boulangere potatoes and artichokes for my friend, and a delicious lentil sausage with artichoke and soured apple for me. It was served with Les Berniers, a full-bodied Cabernet Franc from Chinon.

Dessert was a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate, salted caramel, hazelnut and orange tart with sherry ice-cream, served with a fabulous, rich Noble Wrinkled Riesling from McLaren Vale, Austria.

The focus at Home is as much on the diner as the food. From the moment we walked in, to the end of our three-hour dining experience, we were made to feel very much a part of the place. We were particularly impressed with the explanations of each dish, and wine, by friendly, efficient staff. By the end of the evening, we felt as though we knew them.

With an open plan kitchen clearly visible from the spacious, airy dining area, there's a sense of 'oneness'. The dishes were bold, classy and fun, but not pretentious.

It's the kind of place where you could meet a bunch of friends after work, or throw a celebration dinner. We were there on a Thursday evening, when other diners included couples of various ages and one or two bigger parties.

Stepping outside into a warm spring evening, we felt we'd experienced something more than just dinner. We felt part of the place. This Home is certainly where our heart was.

* Home is at 16/17 Kirkgate, Leeds. Call (0113) 4300161. Visit homeleeds.co.uk