All your favourite pub classics are on the menu- but presented in a beautiful fine-dining style.
Known as one of the hidden gems of Thorner, Beehive is the country pub that's an absolute must-visit for any serious foodie in Leeds.
Located just 20 minutes from the city centre, the dining style here is 'unconventional twist on classic British dishes presented in a sophisticated way within a relaxed environment'- and it shows.
A range of seasonal produce form a small but clearly considered menu with copious Yorkshire cheese throughout (not that anyone is complaining).
Split into six sections, for starters and nibbles, snack on artisan bread ad oils with churned salted butter, confit garlic and aged balsamic, or opt to warm up your stomach with small plates of crab stuffed pasta parcels in a dill basque.
The Wild Pea Risoni is another home-grown dish: with Kalamata crumb, whipped ricotta and foraged cress from Thorner- it doesn't get much more local than that.
Wild pea risoni. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
This simple but sophisticated menu offerings extends onto the 'pub classics' and main course section. Between Wild Nettle Gnocchi and loin of Yorkshire lamb, you'll find the ultimate British staple: fish and chips.
Served as Ale battered market fish with beef dripping chips, this mouth-watering combo comes with both curry sauce and pea puree (so you never have to choose again), presented in a fine-dining splattering of pastel green.
Fish and chips. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Meat eaters will be delighted to see additional pub classics like Yorkshire sirloin on the menu, neighbouring the house-favourite, Beehive 6oz Burger.
Build high with pilings of saurkraut slaw, wild garlic mayo, crispy bacon and Harrogate blue cheese between layers of meat and brioche bun, this mammoth meal comes with fistfuls of fries on the side and still manages to deliver the same level of finesse in its presentation as the other dishes- a rarity for burgers.
The Beehive 6oz Burger. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
For those with a sweet tooth, there's plenty of Yorkshire classics to choose from.
Think Baked Rhubarb Cheesecake with rhubarb and custard compote, candied buckwheat and marigold, as well as a selection of Yorkshire cheeses, Sticky Toffee Pudding with maple glazed pecans, porter toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream and a Torched Italian meringue on Lemon Tart-Alaska.
With ample outdoor seating wrapping around the pub from front-to-back and a cosy intimate dining space, there's room to lounge in the beer garden by day and move into the cosy corners of the restaurant area during the twilight hours.
Indoor dining and seating area. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to impress with an unconventional British dinner without the cooking, we really can't think of a better than The Beehive to while away the weekend.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
26th April 2022 
