I didn't always like mince pies. But one year, a family member splashed out on Heston Blumenthal ones from Waitrose, along with alcohol-spiked cream. We warmed them up in the oven, dolloped the cream, scuttled off to the nearest chair, wrapped ourselves up in a blanket and sat in silence as we devoured. Once we'd …
When I think about casually eating pasta, it's usually me cuddling a big bowl of it on the sofa, in my pyjamas. There's melted cheese involved and sometimes fish fingers. Perhaps less casual and more embarrassing to be honest. But eating it on a Saturday evening in what is usually a doughnut shop by day …
Continue reading Casual Pasta at doh’hut: ‘Soothed by butter and cradled in pasta’.
It was the depth of winter. February 2018. Fu-Schnikens, renowned for their steamed buns, hosted a ramen night as a prerequisite for what was to come. The teaser we all wanted. A new restaurant was on the horizon for Leeds. Over three years, the name House of Fu was born, with more taster nights, anticipiation …
Continue reading House of Fu, Leeds: ‘I dip my spoon in, slowly sinking into this hot bath’.
The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and it's now EVEN more important than ever to continue supporting small and local businesses. I want to shine a particular light on some of the amazing black-owned restaurants, cafes and street food outlets in Leeds, who are continuing to serve …
Continue reading Support local, black-owned businesses in Leeds
"This place doesn't have an address," were the words uttered as we got out the Uber. "Right, where are we going then?" It wasn't long before we stumbled upon the restaurant on Stainbeck Corner, despite not being able to find the postcode anywhere (it's now on their social media). It was a Friday night and …
Continue reading Hern, Leeds: ‘A chorus of small plates started flying out of the kitchen’.
Ah, British weather. It just loves to keep us on our toes. Some days, I'll leave for work wearing sunglasses and no coat, only to return home using my broken umbrella as a shield to battle my way through a three minute hail storm (whilst seriously regretting my lack of coat). Most mornings, I don't …
I've wanted to go to Levan for a while. Since November 2018 to be exact, after I read food critic, Jimi Famurewa's, restaurant review in ES Magazine. Amongst many other reasons to go, the absolute clincher was the sound of the famous Comté fries. My eagerness reached new levels as soon as I was back …
Continue reading Levan, Peckham: ‘I’m still thinking about those Comté fries’.
Lupe's Cantina Mexicana is the ultimate destination restaurant, in my opinion. Situated on Cardigan Road, with cars racing past and a Milfords next door, the tiny, bright yellow family-run restaurant is a true hidden gem. It serves the most incredible Mexican food in Leeds (traditional family recipes from the Head Chef who was born and …
Continue reading Lupe’s Cantina Mexicana, Leeds: ‘A true hidden gem’.
It was late on a Saturday night. My clothes smelt like barbecue smoke, again. My hair reeked of it. Straight into the shower, clothes straight into the wash. Again. The reason? I'd eaten food from Soul Shack. Two weeks in a row that time - but it didn't matter that my favourite jumper smelt like Jerk …
Continue reading Soul Shack, Leeds: ‘This is exciting street food’.
You never forget your first Ox Club. It was back in 2015 when Headrow House (sister venue to Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen and more recently, Water Lane Boathouse) had just opened. Within its exposed brickwork walls, was a beer hall, cocktail bar, events space, two rooftops and a soon to open restaurant; Ox Club. To …
Continue reading Ox Club, Leeds: ‘I was back and we were going all out’.
food with mood 