McDonald’s has revealed that six popular items are returning to the menu, with the fan-favourite McSpicy making a permanent comeback.
By now, fast food fans are well used to Maccy D's introducing different limited-edition items to its ever-changing menu.
We're talking Spicy Chicken McNuggets, halloumi fries and Tiramisu McFlurries, all of which are just a few of the tasty treats people have been tucking into over the last few months.
But one of the limited-edition items fans loved the most had to be the McSpicy, right?
The McSpicy is was first introduced in late April last year, and although it seemed to prove pretty popular with people, the burger sadly didn’t stick around for very long and only enjoyed a limited run on the menu up until 6 June – until now.
McDonald’s has this week confirmed that the McSpicy is here to stay, and will join the McCrispy on the year-round menu after the latter became McDonald’s first permanent chicken burger in 15 years back in October 2022.
For those who didn’t get round to trying it the first time, the McSpicy is made up of a piece of hot and spicy 100% chicken breast in a crispy coating, with crunchy lettuce and a classic sandwich sauce, served in a sesame seed bun, and it’ll set you back just £4.79 on its own or £6.29 as a meal
The McSpicy isn’t the only burger McDonald’s is bringing back for a limited run either, as the chain has also announced that the iconic Grand Big Mac and Grand Big Mac with Bacon are returning to the menu too, starting at £4.89.
Image: McDonald's
For those looking for something equally-spicy on the side, they’ll be pleased to know that the Chilli Cheese Bites are also making a comeback.
The Chilli Cheese Bites – which first appeared in McDonald’s back in 2021, and went down a treat – will be back with a portion of four chilli cheese bites in batter and a tomato dip priced at £2.29, or £6.29 if you fancy a sharebox version.
If all that spice has got tastebuds tingling a little too much, and you’re in the need of something to cool down and finish off the meal, then luckily, the massively-popular Galaxy Chocolate McFlurry and Galaxy Caramel McFlurry will also be available to buy from this week.
Image: McDonald's
Those with a sweet tooth can took into either the full-sized or mini versions of the much-loved McFlurry.
Unlike the McSpicy though, you’ll need to act fast and get yourself down to your nearest Maccies soon if you’re keen to enjoy all of these other returning menu items, as they’re only around for a limited six-week run starting from today (15 February).
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
Clementine Hall
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
The Hoot -
15th February 2023 
