Big on flavour, perfect for Instagram and inspired by globetrotter's travels, the new menu from Banyan is offering a true taste of summer.
The Leeds-born group of bars is known for its mouth-watering menu and cocktail offerings and now that the sun has finally decided to make an extended appearance across the city, the light bites and sharer plates are perfect for summertime brunches, lunches, evening meals and post-work snacks alike.
The new menu prides itself as being a locally-crafted, globally-inspired delight, so expect bold flavours aplenty.
Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Arancini Balls. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
For those looking for a grazing option or to share with mates using the new three small plates for £19.50, or four for just £25.50 offer, look no further than the crispy Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Arancini Balls. Served with three balls on a bed of salad, expect steaming arancini balls filled with fried rice, red pepper and garlic sauce.
The Creamy Burrata served with red and yellow tomatoes and fresh zesty pesto also comes highly recommended as a light starter or sharer plate.
Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find Banyan's famous Brie Wedges, brand-new Avocado and Sumac Houmous and the Middle Eastern style Baharat Prawn Tacos all served up as part of the Banyan platter.
Main menu seekers will adore the plentiful options that fuse flavour with hearty portions. New to the menu this summer is the Korean Fried Chicken Burger: a spicy cajun chicken burger, served with gem lettuce, tomato caesar mayonnaise, crispy slaw and a huge chicken gravy dripping pot for that added saucy serving.
Korean Fried Chicken Burger. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Love it or hate it, Marmite has also made it on to the menu.
The summer-inspired Mac n’ Cheese is ideal as a starter, main or sharer depending on your preferences and comes with a crunchy crumb of Marmite- though this is mild enough to keep even the Marmite-hater at bay.
Summer calls for copious amounts of seafood and both the Smoked Salmon and Prawn Flatbread and Teriyaki Salmon are perfect light servings.
The flatbread comes as an open wrap, topped with avocado hummus, gem lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes, complimented by Marie Rose sauce, pomegranate and lemon oil whilst the teriyaki is a low-cal stir-fried vegetables and fragrant rice, topped with teriyaki sauce, coming in at under 550 calories with plenty of protein.
Smoked Salmon and Prawn Flatbread. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new Banyan menu available alongside their new cocktail menu, where you can still grab 2-for-1 aplenty and more at any of their Leeds' locations in the heart of the city centre at City Square or slightly further afield in Horsforth, Roundhay and Ilkley and Harrogate.
For more information, including how to book your seat at the table and test out these flavours for yourself, visit the Banyan website.
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 -
30th June 2022 
