The Michelin Guide has added its newest recruits, and it's great news for a newbie over in North Yorkshire.
Fifty Two at the luxurious Rudding Park hotel opened its doors in May 2024, offering punters an immersive dining experience that is guided by the restaurant's homegrown produce.
Named after the number of raised beds in its kitchen garden, this is a meal about as seasonal as its gets.
Designed to create a sense of food theatre in a large shipping container that boasts a light and airy atmosphere, diners can watch the chefs at work as they concoct their magical creations on an open kitchen island.
And it's clearly gone down a treat, as Fifty Two has been added to the coveted Michelin Guide just seven months after opening.
The Michelin Guide said: "Set in the grounds of the Rudding Park hotel and named after the number of raised beds in its kitchen garden, this is a restaurant guided by its produce.
"It occupies a set of converted shipping containers, furnished with bespoke oak tables, where the chefs lead the service of their creative dishes. There’s a playfulness running throughout, exemplified by ‘Dessert Islands Discs’, where guests can choose a track to play while the puddings are served. Those desserts are a highlight, with exquisite execution of dishes like brown butter custard tart with baked apple."
Image: Fifty Two at Rudding Park
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and yes we'd be lying if we said our mouths weren't watering at the thought of a brown butter custard tart.
Fifty Two joins the likes of Bavette, Ox Club, The Box Tree, Forde and Prashad on the Michelin Guide with myse over in Hovingham still holding the only Michelin star in Yorkshire.
So it's fair to say we're spoilt for choice when it comes to getting some good grub in and around Leeds, but we already knew that already.
Find out more and book your table Fifty Two at Rudding Park here.
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.
Clementine Hall -
9th January 2025 
