This small but perfectly formed restaurant in Leeds' Central Arcade is a welcome addition to the city's food scene.
Tucked away down one of Leeds' many arcades you'll find Fern Modern Sushi, a wonderful new opening by the lovely Chef Fern Lattawan.
Having worked previously as head sushi chef at the The Ivy Asia, we knew we were in for an absolute treat and we were absolutely right.
This is delicious Japanese cuisine finessed with a modern twist, from the fresh nigiri made in front of our eyes sprinkled with gold glitter to the hot and spicy steaming ramen topped with crispy prawn tempura.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is super intimate, featuring a few small tables to the left and a corner-shaped sushi counter where you can sit and watch the magic happen.
Fern offers a special omakase tasting experience where the fate of your meal will be left in the hands of the experts, or you can order whatever you like from the varied but considered menu.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The fish is as fresh as you could possibly get and the selection changes weekly, but whenever your visit expect to chow down on anything from fatty tuna belly and buttery uni to A5 wagyu topped with Baluga caviar.
All placed delicately on perfectly seasoned sushi rice.
If raw fish isn't your thing then the piping hot bowls of ramen are rich and flavourful, and the hot and cold small plates such as the prawn tempura and chicken karaage are executed brilliantly.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Despite having only been open a few weeks, Fern Modern Sushi has people queueing out the door on a mere Wednesday lunchtime and it's not hard to see why.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Clementine Hall -
5th September 2024 
