Taking over the kitchen inside Number 8 in Meanwod, Dijon Boys is the new foodie pop-up that landed themselves a permanent kitchen residency- all less than six months after their first pop-up event.
Bringing quality dishes to a relaxed setting is something that the Dijon Boys have been wanting to bring to the table for a long time, and with 18 years of combined experience between them, they know a thing or two about how to bring it to Leeds.
Having started less than six months ago with a pop-up dinner at Boot and Rally in Meanwood, the Dijon Boys have secured themselves a permanent kitchen residency just over the road from where it all began.
The kitchen takeover begins in September. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Jamie Layall, Cameron Sohel and Nicko Lachica, make up the team heading up Number 8's kitchen- and are all aged just 22 years old. The impressive achievement of taking on a permanent kitchen residency in such a short time appears to be through a series of successful pop-ups and before taking on their own venture, through mentorship and guidance from local restaurants.
Between the three Dijon Boys, they've worked in The Ivy in Leeds and Manchester, as well as The Woods, The Mustard Pot and Sukhothai. Business and Operations Manager Jamie gave the latter a humbling nod to: "huge thanks to Pat from Sukhothai Chapel Allerton – couldn’t have had a better first job to learn and understand service and how to run a restaurant".
On the menu, you can expect small sharing plates of food, all inspired by British classics. The menu is ever-evolving, and will highlight the best of seasonal produce but is set to feature plenty of charcuterie, sweet and savoury plates, as well as smaller bar snacks.
The new opening will specialise in small plates of British fusion. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Beginning as a pop-up only kitchen, the Dijon Boys have operated under the name Herencia, which means integrity and legacy, and gives a humbling nod to Head Chef Nicko's family restaurant in the Philippines, which operates under the same name.
Previous menus have seen the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed events with some seriously swoon-worthy dishes.
Diners will be able to pair the menu with cocktails, wines and beers from Number 8 Cocktails. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Think Wild venison steak with purple sprouting broccoli and chocolate mole sauce, tandoori monkfish with spiced hung yoghurt and carrot sauerkraut and oyster mushroom yakitori with cabbage and sesame salad wasabi gel, tempura spring onion and mushroom broth.
The Dijon Boys said that their relationship with the Meanwood restaurant blossomed after hosting a private event: "After hosting a private dining event at Number 8 Cocktails we established an excellent relationship with the owner, James Ince. From there we continued to discuss future events and it became evident that we both had similar intentions".
Dijon Boys Jamie, Cameron and Nicko. / Image: Dijon Boys
Adding, "James is such a nice guy and believes in our project and we are thrilled to be able to grow our business with him on board".
"We have always dreamed of having our own kitchen and a permanent location and we are very excited to be able to make this dream come true. We will now have a base to cook from and serve customers – there will always be a location where our customers can find us and try our food.
"We are still planning on doing pop ups moving forward but we are very grateful to James at Number 8 Cocktails for giving us this opportunity to be able to represent our style and what we can do".
Dijon Boys will serve from Number 8 Cocktails in Meanwood. / Image: Dijon Boys
Although the kitchen takeover will be running for good on Friday 23 September 2022 inside Number 8 Cocktails, you can grab a Sunday roast in advance of the official opening to give the new residency a taste test.
We’re talking herb and fennel stuffed pork loin with onion gravy, 12 hours braised short rib or beef with red wine jus and a butternut squash and olive stuffed cabbage leaves with veg gravy, plus a Yorkshire pud, roasties and seasonal veggies on the side. There’s starters, sides and desserts on offer too.
Sunday Roasts will be a big hit on the menu. / Image: Dijon Boys
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Domo
Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.
Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.
Kontrast
84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds. Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.
Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist. With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.
We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.
The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.
The best restaurants in Yorkshire named at prestigious National Restaurant Awards
Clementine Hall
The best restaurants in the UK have been named at the National Restaurant Awards – and Yorkshire has done pretty well for itself.
The prestigious awards took place last night, listing the top 100 places to eat in the entire UK.
Four restaurants in Yorkshire managed to make it into the top 100 of the country’s best restaurants.
Coming in at a very impressive number 13 is Sheffield restaurant JÖRO, who's year has gone from accolade to accolade after being awarded none other than a Michelin star back in February.
Often hailed as the city's best restaurant, JÖRO is run by husband-and-wife team Luke French and Stacey Sherwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They recently relocated into a bigger space near the edge of the Peak District in Oughtibridge, which has allowed them to expand their offerings.
Here's what the judges had to say: 'A much larger and better-equipped kitchen has allowed French - whose CV includes Midsummer House in Cambridge - to evolve his already finely-tuned and distinctive cooking style.'
JÖRO announced the news to Instagram, saying: "To be sat in a room filled with incredible people from across the industry is truly inspiring and being listed is something our younger selves only dreamed of achieving."
Over in Leeds, beloved neighbourhood bistro Bavette placed at number 83 where owners Sandy and Clement stated they were "Over the moon" to have made it onto the list.
Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Angel at Hetton came in at number 47 being declared as a 'Yorkshire institution' whilst The Star Inn at Harome took number 78 as one of the first pubs in England to be awarded a Michelin star.
Sophie Smith -
15th August 2022 
