It's that time of the year again where we see the top floor of Trinity change about to make way for some brand new talent.
And let us tell you we're in for a right treat.
From warming poutine to specialty hash browns, there's going to be something to everyone's fancy to get us through the winter months (well until 9 March 2024 at least).
Little Red Eats
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hoot recommends: There’s a range of gluten free options available here, just ask the vendor for all the information you need.
Little Red Eats has become a Trinity Kitchen staple - and so its return for 2024 is no surprise - and nonetheless welcomed by locals waiting on their next burger or fried chicken fix. Expect Cheesy, Smoky, Blue and Veggie options here alongside fries drenched in sauces, jalapeño poppers and much more.
Spuds & Bros
Hoot recommends: Cluck Norris Poutine, it’s traditional poutine packed with creamy cheese curds and potatoes before being topped with chicken, bacon, halloumi, crispy onions, chives and baconnaise.
Hot off the back of the Leeds Christmas Markets, Spuds & Bros are back for 2024.
Spuds & Bros Poutine needs no introduction if you’re a regular eater in the city centre. Serving up a concoction of cheesy, chippy, gravy filled bowls of winter warmer food, Spuds & Bros have poutine to serve the masses. Inspired by the taste of Canadian poutine, we recommend the halloumi serving, but any of their flavours are lip-smacking good.
Shouk!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What’s the deal? Shouk! pita, fries and a drink for £12.50 or swap for a beer for £14
Those that have been visiting Trinity Kitchen over the past few years will recognise the return of Middle Eastern foodie favourite, Shouk!
The menu here includes refreshing vegan and vegetarian friendly meals, with vegan chicken shawarma, falafel pieces and halloumi available in wrap or salad-style bowls- each of which make the perfect light summertime lunch.
You might have spotted the black dog logo at Chow Down previously, or at a pop-up around the city, but now Nicko's Comfort Kitchen is settling into Trinity Kitchen for the next eight weeks.
Expect smash burgers, gourmet hash browns and shroom burgers aplenty, these guys do exactly what it says on the tin: proper good old fashioned comfort food.
New to Trinity Kitchen for 2024 is Hoi Sin City. The street food truck plans to open up a permanent location right here in Leeds, but for the time being is operating from the shopping centre's top floor from the recycled cars we all know and love.
On the menu, there's salt and pepper or hoisin baos, loaded fries, spring rolls - and even a nostalgic childhood option of potato smileys, with a twist.
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
16th January 2024 
