Masala fish and chips, curried paneer pizza and make your own curry sauce.
Nestled just outside the city centre in the suburb of Sheepscar, this is a true hidden-gem spot just waiting to be uncovered.
The Sheepscar Bar and Grill is home to a one-of-a-kind menu that effortlessly fuses traditional pub grub with the best spices from Indian cuisine.
We're talking masala pizzas and mouth-watering mixed grills, all hidden amongst a huge menu of curried meats, sauces aplenty, seekh kebabs and so much more.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Curry Your Way! menu is all about putting together the ultimate personalised curry. Choose from chicken, lamb, king prawns, keema and paneer as your main ingredient before adding your favourite traditional sauce like balti, korma, rogan josh or bhuna- and finally choose your level of spice.
There's a mild 'Gora Style' which is for "when you like biryani but prefer to be mild; the mid-range 'Apna Style' for "when you want to push but not over the edge" or opt for the hottest 'Chak de Phatte', "when you think you can eat like the locals".
Alternatively, there's plenty of curry dishes that come exactly to the chef's order- and most of these are vegetarian. Think paneer saag spinach and chana masala chickpea curry, both of which prove that you don't need to include meat in a curry to taste the individual flavours of a curry.
This said, if you are looking for a carnivorous offering, the mixed grill should be your go-to.
Marinated for 48 hours and cooked on The Sheepscar's renowned indoor coal barbecue and traditional clay oven, helpings of tender chicken tikka, lamb chips, seekh kebabs, chicken wings, and fish pakora are all available as servings that cater for up to four people at a time.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If that's not enough, you can order your choice of grilled meat on a freshly-made thin naan bread. as a lunchtime treat or light dinner option. Served with spicy rice or chips, salad and mint sauce, this is the all-in-one meal suffice for any occasion.
There's also some incredible pizza offerings available too. Butter chicken, tandoori achari paneer or even the meaty mixed grill can be served on fresh pizza bases, toasted with tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese to provide a modern fusion dish unlike anything you've seen before.
Of course, there's all your usual dipping sauces, chips, rices, raitas and salad to choose from, including the likes of chilli chips coated in fresh spices and five different types of naan bread.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for an authentic Indian cuisine that swaps long curry menus for one-of-a-kind dishes with a twist to spice up your usual order, this truly is a hidden gem just waiting to be uncovered.
The Sheepscar Bar and Grill is open every weekday from 5pm - 10/10.30pm whilst the weekends see earlier trading hours of 1pm - 10/10.30pm.
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 May 2022 
