Formerly known as The Man Behind the Curtain, the underground restaurant on Vicar Lane remains one of the best in the city.
Leeds' only Michelin-star eatery, The Man Behind the Curtain, closed its doors at the end of last year in order to make way for chef Michael O'Hare's new venture, Psycho Sandbar, which opened in March.
We were lucky enough to visit the new venue, and it certainly did not disappoint.
The Great British Menu judge said the rebrand was influenced by Brexit, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, which have transformed the food and drink industry.
And the new, more accessible set menus available reflect this.
Customers can enjoy a four course menu for £40 or six courses for £60, both of which come with additional optional wine pairing.
Now granted, a dining experience at Psycho Sandbar is not your everyday, walk-in casual lunch or dinner option.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
But our experience at the Sandbar was nothing short of exceptional, and it stands as the perfect restaurant to celebrate a special occasion if you're a foodie or looking to experience something very unique.
From the moment you step foot through the door and make your way down the stairs to the underground concrete bunker, everything from the funky music to the monochrome aesthetic transports you to a different world.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Every tiny little detail has been thoroughly thought out, from the handcrafted cutlery and crockery to the bundle of menus tied together in leather.
The menu offers a la carte options as well as a chefs tasting menu, but whatever you order you will be absolutely blown away.
From the Singapore chilli crab with slow cooked egg yolk to the salt and sugar cured hake with plankton scraps, everything was honestly exceptional.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The wine pairings take your dining experience to another level, presented by their expert staff who will answer any questions you may have (no matter how ridiculous they are).
If you can visit Psycho Sandbar, then we really urge you to do so and their new six or four course menu is the perfect way to do it.
The set menus will constantly change so no visit will be the same, and we can guarantee that you'll be wanting to visit time and time again.
To find out more and to book your table, take a look at Psycho Sandbar's website.
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
24th May 2024 
