Kino has only been open for a few short months, but the former cinema space has done nothing but fuse casual and fine dining in one a stunning setting.
The Grade II listed building has been home to charcuterie boards and pre-show cocktails for those catching a show at neighbouring Opera North, or acted as a laid back afternoon watering hole for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city centre life in an intimate venue.
Now, local independent kitchen MorMor will be taking over as part of a foodie takeover for the remainder of the year- and you can catch a glimpse of their locally renowned Levantine cuisine from tonight.
The carefully-curated menu is made up of a range of delicious small plates inspired by spices from the crossroads of western Asia, the eastern Mediterranean and North-East Africa, each of which tells a story through flavour.
Chargrilled Onion, Orange and Fennel with Thyme. / Image: Chapter 81
We're talking sophisticated blends of roast aubergine with a date and almond crumb, dressed in a herb oil and honey tahini yoghurt, or the likes of butterfly cut king prawns barbecued over coals inside their shells and smothered in a warm harissa butter with chillies, Aleppo pepper and herbs.
The idea is that diners will be able to choose roughly two plates each, with options ranging from soft shell crab and sauteed green beans to tabbouleh, and can share the sensory experience with their diners.
MorMor has built a reputation across the North for its stunning Levantine dishes. / Image: MorMor, Instagram
Taking on a Palestinian staple, MorMor is also offering Guineafowl Musakhan, a Guineafowl roasted in sumac and pomegrate with toasted pine nuts and caramelised onions.
And if that's not enough, there's plenty of nibbly bits on the Mezze menu for starters of a light bite. Think Kurdish naan, hummus, roasted feta and cucumber, as well as patron peppers and mixed bread portions with za'atar and garlic oil.
MorMor launches at Kino from Wednesday 14 September 2022. / Image: Chapter 81
The new menu from MorMor, and the entire Kino dining space, is designed for bringing people together to anticipate, and embrace that joyous occasion of trying new flavours with like-minded company- and you're not going to be disappointed here.
To taste test the MorMor kitchen takeover at Kino Leeds and find out why this menu is anticipated to be a Leeds' favourite, visit Kino Wednesday - Saturday until the end of the year.
Feature Image- MorMor
Eats
Leeds has welcomed a brand-new spot dedicated to rotisserie chicken
If you're a fan of all-things chicken, then this is the spot for you.
Introducing The Rotisserie Club, that's doing exactly what it says on the tin...rotisserie chicken.
Taking over the former Shokupan site at 27 Wellington Street, the new restaurant aims to bring a new go-to lunch spot to that area of town.
And we've got a very strong feeling it's going to go down an absolute storm amongst gym bunnies and office dwellers alike.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Brought to the city by Norman of Spuds n Bros fame and Luigi from Habitum and La Bottega Milanese, you just know you're in good hands.
The idea is to split the day between the two businesses, with Habitum taking care of the morning coffee crowd before The Rotisserie Club takes over from lunchtime. Sounds like a match made in heaven if you ask us.
That means early birds can get their caffeine fix before the focus shifts to a menu centred around rotisserie-cooked chicken.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Expect chicken-filled Caesar wraps, bowls, salads, wings and stuffed pittas, as well as half and whole chickens served with their signature house dripping potatoes.
You can dip or drench your chicken in their range of sauces, and then you’ve got yourself something worth licking your fingers over.
Not only that, but in the future they'll be opening in the evenings so you can have your chicken fix alongside a tipple or two.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's great to see two independent businesses team together to create something completely new in the city, and we can't wait to see how well it's received by food lovers in the city centre.
Move over Nando's, The Rotisserie Club is officially in town.
An authentic hand-pulled noodle restaurant is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
If you're a fan of thick, chewy noodles, then you're going to like this one.
And that's because The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to welcome Lano Noodles, an authentic hand-pulled noodle spot.
Specialising in freshly made noodles, authentic Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup and traditional Chinese snacks, the independent restaurant will be unlike anything you can currently find in Leeds city centre.
The new restaurant will occupy approximately 2,150 sq ft across two floors, and will create between seven and ten jobs.
You'll be able to grab your food to-go as well as eat-in.
Charles Newman, Associate Director of Estates at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, commented: "We're delighted to welcome Lano Noodles to the Merrion Centre, particularly as the team has chosen Leeds for its very first restaurant.
"Its location on Merrion Way, directly opposite the first direct bank arena, is perfectly positioned to attract a diverse mix of customers, from students and city centre workers to shoppers and eventgoers.
"The combination of freshly prepared, authentic food, convenient grab-and-go options and relaxed dining is a great fit for this busy part of the city. It's fantastic to see another independent operator investing in Leeds, creating new jobs and adding to our growing international food offering."
A spokesperson for Lano Noodles Ltd added: "We're really excited to be opening our first restaurant at the Merrion Centre and introducing our freshly made hand-pulled noodles to Leeds.
"We chose the location because of its strong footfall and diverse customer base. We want to create a welcoming, informal space where people can enjoy authentic Chinese food, whether they're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a relaxed meal with friends.
"We can't wait to welcome our first customers and share the flavours of Lanzhou with the Leeds community."
Sophie Smith -
14th September 2022 
