The Queens Hotel in central Leeds has recently undergone a huge £16 million refurbishment, ushering in a grand new era for the 84-year-old property.
As part of the overhaul, the hotel has welcomed an opulent new Raffles-inspired restaurant, Grand Pacific.
Grand Pacific is part of the Living Venture's group, which also has brands like The Alchemist and The Botanist in Leeds. There is already a site in Manchester, but this is the first to open in West Yorkshire.
Grand Pacific Leeds serves a fusion menu bringing together flavours from around the world
The new luxurious all-day drinking and dining destination is styled on the old colonial hotels of south-east Asia and can seat up to 100 guests in the main restaurant.
Here, staff aim to recreate the golden age of high society "with a sumptuous yet relaxed charm accompanied by great service”.
In the dining area, quintessential British classics are fused with flavours from further afield. Dishes like Asian-spiced duck cottage pie and tempura Szechuan sea bass sit next to a teriyaki steak sandwich and classic club on the all-day menu.
Its indulgent afternoon or 'high' teas are also very popular, offering a selection of miniature sandwiches and sweet treats with a choice of loose leaf tea or bubbles.
The afternoon teas at Grand Pacific are some of the most indulgent in the city
On a Sunday, guests can also enjoy a roast with a difference - accompanied by a set of contemporary classical music from the Grand Pacific Palm Court Orchestra.
From the bar, there are plenty of indulgent cocktails to try ranging from Grand Pacific's yuzu negroni and pomegranate mojito to salted caramel espresso and grand pornstar martinis.
One of the most iconic drinks here, though, has to be their 'golden pineapple' which is both a cocktail in its own right and a symbol of hospitality in general. Made with several different types of rum, pineapple, guava and lime and then topped with crushed ice it's pretty to look at and wonderfully refreshing too.
The 'Golden Pineapple' cocktail at Grand Pacific is one of their signatures
As if this wasn't enough, the hotel is also now home to Café Pacific - an all-day social hub offering coffees, superfood smoothies and healthy snacks. A perfect spot to set up on your laptop for the day if you're working away from home.
Grand Pacific's restaurant and bar is open now inside The Queen's Hotel. As part of their soft launch, which runs until 27th June, diners can get 50% off their meal when they book a table using this link.
To find out more and keep up to date, follow them on Instagram.
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
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.
Georgina Pellant -
18th June 2021 
