Reopening in a gorgeous new backdrop, The Owl has had the ultimate summertime makeover in its new waterside location.
Open to the public from Friday 27 May, the new Owl restaurant is a light, airy space home to some of Leeds' best-known chefs and dishes.
Headed up by no less than award-winning chef Liz Cottam with head chef Mark Owens running the kitchen, this exciting new venture for the team.
The all-new fine-dining spot will open at Lockside: a picturesque riverside development looking over the canal. Conveniently located just moments from Leeds train station, the new spot has been designed to reflect the traditional heritage of Leeds with the new, modern development of the city’s South Bank.
Image: Supplied
The new restaurant will be roughly twice the size of its previous market home, including an outdoor terrace, allowing more opportunity for diners to enjoy Owl’s outstanding menu which has received incredible reviews from customers and critics alike since it first opened its doors in 2019.
Led by head chef Mark Owens, Owl has recently launched its spring menus which feature an eclectic mix of traditional British staples and an array of unique tasting courses and experiences, all of which are expected to remain on the menu.
Local produce is of particular importance here, with picks such as North Sea cod, aged Yorkshire duck terrine and Yorkshire rhubarb sitting across the dinner, lunch, bar and Sunday menus.
Image: Supplied
Owl is led by head chef Mark Owens who opened up The Owl originally with business partner Elizabeth Cottam.
Mark Owens said: “We have worked so hard behind the scenes to create the Owl we’ve always envisioned. We are excited to start this new chapter in the life of Owl and are looking forward to welcoming all of our guests, old and new. Owl is great food, a great atmosphere and an experience to remember. As well as being a new chapter for Owl, we’re excited to be a part of a brilliant new area for Leeds alongside some fantastic local businesses such as Cross Keys, Northern Monk Refectory and Water Lane Boathouse.”
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Sophie Smith -
25th May 2022 
