After closing The Man Behind The Curtain at the end of 2023, Michael O'Hare is preparing to relaunch with a new restaurant concept this spring.
Reservations are now available for March, April and May - and ahead of the relaunch, Psycho Sandbar will be hosting a special preview night on Valentine's Day.
The 'candle light in a building site' menu will feature a five course set menu, with hints of the new 'surf shaky' feel
Priced at £95 per person, there will be tables available from midday until 10pm on Wednesday 14 February 2024 only.
From here, Fridays and Saturdays can be booked from 8 March - 29 June for either the A La Carte or Taster Menu.
Priced at £165 per person, the taster menu will be available for tables of one to four and features a pesci-heavy luxurious menu with turbot, Caviar Donburri, hand dived scallops and oysters along with Bresse Chicken AOC and A4 beef with froi gras -
The A La Carte is split into six sections, with five different oysters styles: including roasted in French onion soup with a thin slice of Comte; poached in shell served cold with Nam jim or grilled over Birch wood with a smoked plankton beurre blanc and caviar.
Then there's raw, pasteurised fish options like Hamachi, lobster, scallop and Caviar Donburri; plus a host of Kuzu dumplings options: served as gluten-free fried croquettes with Comte, Gruyère and Beaufort with A5 beef or tuna belly.
The remainder of the menu is packed with a combination of dishes previewed on the Valentine's Day like turbot and lemon top; the taster menu, like hake throats and hand-dived scallops, and exclusive signature dishes like the 'Empanciation': cod, potato, ink and vinegar with a Dashi of cod skin.
Psycho Sandbar has been months in the making. Owner Michael O’Hare said the decision was made in response to the current restaurant landscape back in October 2023.
He said: “Things need to change because the world has changed, I have changed…my team has changed, our outlook. Our ability hasn’t, our vision hasn’t, but the world has.”
The restaurant will still be refined, but in a more accessible way. He added: “You can do six plates and have whole roast duck if you want, we just want to categorise things in a way that’s like ‘this is the product, that’s what we are going to do to it and that’s how much it costs’ and if you want it – and you really do.”
The restaurant will close for a few weeks to transform into Psycho Sandbar, but no dates have been announced as of yet.
“The in comes a new baby,” says Michael. “It’s the same team, the same building and company – these things don’t change. All that is changing is the name, offering and outlook.”
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
24th January 2024 
