Karen's Diner, the deliberately rude dining experience, has seen its fair share of viral diners lately.
Having opened up in Yorkshire's own Sheffield earlier this year, the themed-restaurant has a second venue in Manchester, and is expected to come to Leeds.
To give an idea of what Loiners can expect from the opening, a family who took their unsuspecting 73-year-old grandma to Karen's Diner in Manchester have gone viral with a hilarious video from their experience.
The restaurant in Prestwich is manned by deliberately rude staff, who shout and swear and poke fun at their customers, reports The Manc.
The off-guard woman was caught on camera being absolutely horrified by the abuse she received upon walking in to Karen's Diner.
A hilarious TikTok video, which has gained more than 20 million views, shows her staring around at her family with her mouth wide open, and almost falls over in horror.
But then she goes full Nan, and starts telling off the outrageously rude waiters.
73-year-old Barbara was horrified by her trip to Karen's Diner. Credit: TikTok @jobillingtongame
In the video, Barbara is greeted by a staff member who says: "Here we go, what do you want grandma?"
After glancing back to her family members absolutely agog, she replies: "Well I'd like you to speak nicely!"
She's impolitely informed that she's 'in the wrong f***ing place for that', at which point Barbara starts to march back towards the door, shouting: "Bloody hell, who booked this?!"
There's also a brilliant moment where a Karen's Diner employee says: "Grandma, if you cry, do it in the toilets because no one gives a s**t."
Barbara also asks: "Where the hell have you brought me?"
As she's lead to her table, she turns back and scolds the staff again, saying: "You need to stop this."
"Shut the f**k up," they respond. Classic.
Once she's sat down, with an 'I remember the dinosaurs' hat jammed on her head, she soon warms up to the whole concept and starts giving back as good as she gets.
The comment section on the video has absolutely loved her trip to Karen's Diner too, with one person saying: "She looked at you like 'Are you gonna let her talk to me like that?!'"
Another wrote: "Grandma was beyond shook poor thing!"
Someone else joked: "Sis hasnt been disrespected like that her whole life."
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
The Hoot -
19th October 2022 
