Eats

OWT announces exciting move from the Corn Exchange in expansion plans

"Bye LS1. Hello LS3!"

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 4th October 2023

The much-loved brunch spot has officially grown out of its Corn Exchange home.

OWT is officially on the move.

Relocating from the city centre into LS3, OWT plans to take over the old Corner Cafe site on Burley Road.

Announcing the news yesterday, OWT said: "Bye LS1, hello LS3! After 5 years spent working hard in Leeds city centre, we are moving into bigger premises. Read all about it here https://owtleeds.com/story We love you, we thank you!"

The last service from the Corn Exchange will be on Sunday 29 October (giving you three more weeks to head over before it's all change) and the owners hope to reopen in early November, although they've added that this will only the case "if we work fast enough and our master plan unfolds smoothly".

The new venue will hold 60 covers and will be taking over a site with "history in its walls". The former home of Corner Cafe was lovingly opened in 1976 and continued to serve locals right up until March 2022.

Now, OWT will be giving the premises a new life, and you can bet the menu will be just as exciting as the current ever-changing plates available at the Corn Exchange over the past five years.

Having started off on Fishmongers Row at Kirkgate Market, this is an exciting next step for a much-loved Leeds independent.

hash brown with beans and potatoes on a white plate.
Images: The Hoot Leeeds
pancakes and ice cream held up outside OWT sign.

James and Esther, the duo behind OWT explained that "OWT has had a very slow but steady organic growth and we feel ready, after 5 years of serving you brunch, to show you what we have to offer on a friday and saturday night (yes yes evening service it’s happening!)."

"5 years older and we feel ready. Ready to take on 60 covers, ready to run a big kitchen, ready to do dinner service.

"That’s the thing with OWT. It took us time because we wanted to get it right. We wanted to embrace our definition of hospitality.

"When we came across Corner Cafe and the beautiful souls behind it (hello Kate and Karim!) we knew it was it. A building with history in its walls (we like that at OWT!) and a legacy to pursue. Corner Cafe has been loved for over 30 years in LS3 and we feel honored to have been chosen to carry on the task of being Burley Road’s neighborhood restaurant.

"Finally - thank you to Leeds Corn Exchange for these successful years, thank you to our team for all your hard work, thank you to Kate and Karim for allowing us to step into their shoes."

egg sandwich in a muffin behind a blue door.
two plates held in each hand. One with pancakes another with beans.

The full address of the new OWT site is 104 Burley Road, LS3 1JP.

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In a world where we feel like we're writing more closure notices than ever before, it's really exciting to hear some good news from the indie food scene.

Congratulations OWT, we can't wait to see you in your new home!

Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds / OWT via Twitter

Eats

The charming French bistro that’s been a Leeds favourite for over 30 years

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Tucked away from the bustling streets of the city centre you’ll find a Leeds institution that has been serving diners since 1991. 

You've probably walked past Sous Le Nez hundreds of times and not popped in.

But if we can convince you to do anything, it's to head down those unassuming stairs on Quebec Street and ask for a table.

Set in a cavernous basement, the space is full of nooks and crannies, and in a flash, you’ll be whisked away to the South of France with stellar service and white tablecloths to match.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Their food is classic French cuisine done to an excellent standard.

We're talking indulgent French onion soup, rich pan-seared duck breast, juicy rump steak with silky peppercorn sauce and moule-frites served in a sauce good enough for drinking.

And if the food isn't enough to get you excited, then wait until you hear about the wine list.

Featuring over 300 wines, you'll find a tipple to suit every taste and every flavour on the menu.

As well as its a la carte menu, they offers it's menu du soir which is available until 6:45pm on weekdays and on a Saturday lunch time.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

It includes three courses including half a bottle of excellent wine per person. I mean, you really can't get better value then that, can you?

More recently, renowned food critic Jay Rayner praised Sous Le Nez for its fabulous food and we couldn't agree more. And if it's good enough for Jay, then it's certainly good enough for us.

This is the sort of spot that is full of regulars no matter the time of day, whether they’re stopping by for a quick lunch or indulging in their evening menu - it’s no surprise they’ve been a firm Leeds favourite for over 30 years. 

You can find out more about Sous Le Nez and book your table here.

Read more: Leeds bistro earns praise from renowned food critic Jay Rayner

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.

And guess what? It's even better than the first.

Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.

Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.

This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.

The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.

She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.

You can find out more and book your table here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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