Nestled in the heart of Whitehall on Monk Bridge Viaduct, The Junc Shed is a brand new street concept that will feed residents and the general public.
The Junc Shed is a kiosk which aims to welcome local hospitality businesses and offer something new and exciting for the people of Leeds.
And kicking off this exciting venture is the award-winning Koben Smokehouse with their new concept, "Alfonso's Cuban Shack".
And you guessed it, they'll be serving up fantastic Cuban sandwiches using authentic recipes and top quality ingredients.
Images: Supplied
Alfonso's will feature a breakfast menu and a lunchtime coffee and sandwich grab, open seven days a week from 7.30am to 5pm.
Designed to celebrate Leeds’ hospitality heroes, The Junc Shed is in a prime position on the new public park above the historic listed Monk Bridge viaduct.
The industrial heritage of the viaduct is reflected in The Junc Shed’s design, which utilises sustainable materials and is a nod to the viaduct’s previous life as an active railway.
Johnathan Lloyd, General Manager at The Junction, stated “We’re really excited to bring the first of many exciting businesses to The Junction. The Junc Shed is the first space to open here but we’ve been having great conversations with a number of local indie operators about joining our neighbourhood by the water.
"We’re looking forward to Alfonso’s Cuban Shack bringing massive flavours to The Junc Shed and delivering something unique for both our residents and our neighbours here in Leeds.”
Luca / Sam Owners of Koben Smokehouse said: “This is a great opportunity for us and great that The Junction are supporting the next step of our growth. Why Cuban sandwiches? Our close friends in Miami, originally from Cuba & the Dominican passed us down their authentic Cubano recipe which includes mojo pork, smoked daily low & slow over applewood wood chips at our HQ in Holbeck on top of smoked ham, Swiss cheese, Thiccc sauce honey mustard, pickles & Cuban bread.
"We will also have locally brewed coffee by our pals at Chipp, hand-delivered daily and a light breakfast menu with bagels, local pastries & loads more."
Opening this Friday 12 July, make sure you get yourself to The Junction and grab yourself a Cuban sarnie from the brand new Junc Shed.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Clementine Hall -
10th July 2024 
