Michelin-Guide starring, award-winning chef Liz Cottam is known across Leeds for her incredible menus, quality service and her recent appearance on The Great British Menu has only amplified her talents to a widespread audience.
Whilst Owl is well-known as one of Leeds' finest eateries, hidden inside Leeds historic markets for two years, the gastro pub is now set to move to a new location within the city centre.
Currently residing in the former site of founder Liz Cottam’s other venture HOME on Kirkgate on a temporary basis, Owl is preparing for a new chapter. From next month, the restaurant will set up shop in a brand new riverside location at Leeds’ Mustard Wharf development.
From Friday 27 May, the new Owl restaurant will open at Lockside: a picturesque riverside development looking over the canal. Conveniently located just moments from Leeds train station, the new spot has been designed to reflect the traditional heritage of Leeds with the new, modern development of the city’s South Bank.
Owl has been based inside Leeds Market for two years, but is now on the move. / Image: Owl
The new restaurant will be roughly twice the size of its previous market home, including an outdoor terrace, allowing more opportunity for diners to enjoy Owl’s outstanding menu which has received incredible reviews from customers and critics alike since it first opened its doors in 2019.
Led by head chef Mark Owens, Owl has recently launched its spring menus which feature an eclectic mix of traditional British staples and an array of unique tasting courses and experiences, all of which are expected to remain on the menu.
Local produce is of particular importance here, with picks such as North Sea cod, aged Yorkshire duck terrine and Yorkshire rhubarb sitting across the dinner, lunch, bar and Sunday menus.
The menu is meat-focused with a range of local produce used to create each dish. / Image: Owl
The decision to move Owl from its original location was made after the team decided that they were outgrowing the market and that the space was not fit for their ambitious visions for the restaurant.
Where HOME, Liz Cottam’s first restaurant, has already settled nicely away from Kirkgate and into its new home in Leeds’ Brewery Place, Owl’s journey to its new location has been long-awaited and highly anticipated.
Speaking about the move to Riverside, owner Elizabeth Cottamsaid: “We can’t wait to move into Owl’s new forever home. We’ve been working really hard to find the right spot for Owl and we’re delighted to say that we’ve found it. To be part of the exciting new Mustard Wharf development is an honour, it’s such a great new asset for Leeds and you can feel a real buzz in the air.
"Expect lots of light, picturesque views, and even some outdoor space! We’ve found the perfect spot to guzzle down some oysters and champagne on those sunny days and cosy evenings, al fresco style! All whilst gazing at the wonderful city skyline, right on the water's edge on our terrace."
As one final celebratory hurrah for Owl at Kirkgate, the restaurant will be hosting one of their special Wine & Dine events on Thursday 5 May 2022.
Six courses made up of British seasonal ingredients and flavours will be paired with wine and stories. Expect bread, snacks, oysters, charcuterie and an unforgettable evening, priced at £100 per person.
After this, Owl’s last service at Kirkgate will be on Saturday 21 May before reopening at Mustard Wharf on Saturday 28 May.
Feature Image- Supplied
Eats
Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The beautiful West Yorkshire valley walk that ends at a top gastropub
Daisy Jackson
If your idea of a perfect Sunday doesn't involve a stroll in the countryside followed by lunch in a country pub - we can't be friends.
And if that does sound like your idea of a very nice day out, we've found a pretty spectacular walk-roast combo for you, right here in West Yorkshire.
You can start your day by strolling through surprisingly varied and very green countryside, with stunning valley views, before resting your weary legs beneath the table of an award-winning gastropub.
If you haven't guessed it yet - we're off to the Shibden Valley, just outside Halifax, where your gentle hike will lead you straight to the warm embrace of the Shibden Mill Inn.
The walk begins in the car park beside the pub, but don't get tempted in for a pint just yet.
There's an easy-moderate 5.6km circular that will lead you along a country lane, dropping down to cross a brook, then heading back up a gentle incline towards the top of the valley.
The views along the Shibden Valley from here are beautiful - lush green fields dotted with trees as far as the eye can see.
Then the route takes you along some wide open fields, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way, before heading into peaceful woodlands.
You can take a break here to paddle in the stream before continuing on through farmland, with friendly horses to say hello to.
Views along the Shibden Valley Circular. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Then you'll find yourself back at the Shibden Mill Inn, a pub that's consistently finding itself in the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.
Dating back to the 17th century, it's a pretty white building converted from a former mill, with ivy climbing all up its walls.
There's a sizeable beer garden - with a live musician playing when we popped in - but it's hard to resist the cosy charm of the pub's interior, where staff have to duck beneath the low ceiling beams and no surface feels totally straight.
The Shibden Mill Inn's Sunday roast offering does a set menu, with two courses for £40 or three for £45, changing seasonally.
You'll find pub classics on the starters, like chicken liver parfait and homemade soup, before delving into the main event - the Sunday roast.
We love a pub that gives you both mashed AND roasted potatoes, which the Shibden Mill Inn does, along with roast seasonal veg and a towering Yorkshire pudding.
The Sunday roast at the Shibden Mill InnChicken liver parfait, and soup Chocolate fondant with torched marshmallowInside the Shibden Mill Inn
There's roasted salt-aged sirloin of beef, cooked perfectly pink (though they're happy to give it a bit longer if you prefer your meat to not be blushing); or an excellent wedge of belly pork with crispy crackling.
And on the side, a portion of cauliflower cheese that is actually more cheese than cauliflower. Perfect.
Puddings are a nice mix of heavy winter favourites and lighter, fruitier desserts - but we go full stodge, with a chocolate fondant dessert topped with torched marshmallow, salted caramel, and sugared pecans, and have no regrets.
If you want to replicate this Sunday walk and roast, you can see the full circular route here.
Sophie Smith -
20th April 2022 
