Donuts, Percy Pigs and rainbow coloured bagels and coffee... are we dreaming?
If there's one thing we love in Britain, it's those pink gooey sweets from M&S, so we're all ears when someone finds an imaginative way to incorporate them into a new tasty dish that honours Percy and his farmyard friends.
Doe Bakehouse has plenty of donuts stops near Leeds, with two store in York and one in Harrogate (though this is temporarily closed due to vandalism) and more, the further you head north- but this donut has got us thinking we're willing to travel hundreds of miles just for a single bite.
The Percy P*g, as it's known on the company's social media page (we love some forward thinking ways to avoid copyright problems) is a pink donut with our favourite sweet pig stuck on the top.
But that's not all the rainbow bakery has to offer. Inside each store is an Instagrammable hideaway with every every possible neon colour imaginable plastered on the walls.
You can also get coffees in every possible colour too, and bagels and more.
The Doe Bakehouse reckon they're one of the more colourful bakeries in Yorkshire- and they're definitely right about that. On their website, Doe state that they "have three bright and colourful shops in Yorkshire. One is hidden in the back streets of Harrogate and the two are in the city of York. Come and visit, absorb the surroundings: The rainbow walls, the glitter tassels, the multi-coloured chairs and the eye-catching murals. Escape from reality, oh and enjoy a doe-nut whilst you're there."
You can find usually their Harrogate store on Bower Street (no. 4) and on Church Street in York city centre. If you're in Layerthorpe, you can also grab a donut from Unit 1, 43 Layerthorpe- you'll spot the exterior a mile off.
Unfortunately, the Harrogate store has been subject to antisocial behaviour that has left the store too damaged to open. The bakehouse have stated that "thanks to all of those who told me that claiming “antisocial behaviour” was abusive & stereotypical and that I “knew nothing” as tensions rise surrounding the damage. However, donuts are still available from other stores.
"Our other shops remain open, we’ve had to cancel our Harrogate pre-orders today & have sent all the stock to York, Layerthorpe & Clitheroe. This means they are rammed with donuts. If you’re nearby. We’ve got your sugar fix."
"Harrogate customers: We’ve set up a pre-order for next Saturday - Our only option with this shop is to operate on a “preorder” basis until we work out a plan✨ www.doefoods.com 🎈
York locals, we’ve set Deliveroo to 25% off just because….. Well we now have mass donuts."
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.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
17th January 2022 
