Bundobust have brought back Sprout Bhajis and a whole load of Christmas treats over to their Leeds venue.
Christmas dinners have long been plagued with an array of our least favourite food, and we are made to smile and eat every mouthful in angst.
Well we say no more.
Every Christmas Dinner needs a refresh every once in a while and thanks to Bundobust, you can choose all your festive favourites and experiment with a new type of Christmas dinner.
One that includes curry, booze and bhajis.
Indian street food meets Christmas in this sizzling menu, made up of nutmeg, cinnamon and brussel sprouts.
But these aren't any ordinary sprouts, the crafty chefs at Bundobust have brought back customer favourite Sprout Bhajis for yet another year. Made up of a fusion of vegetables and spices, this popular choice is the perfect starter for anyone looking for a Christmas dinner in the city centre.
Broccoli, onion, fennel, chilli and brussel sprouts are served with a dollop of festival cranberry chutney: just in case there wasn't enough of a festive theme to the dish.
If you're already sold on the sprout bhaji movement, it might be time to upgrade to the Sprout Bhaji Butty: a giant selection of the brussel sprout bhajis, encased in a brioche bun. If you want to spread some Christmas joy, £1 from each butty sold will be donated to a local charity.
For a main winter warmer, look no further than the Festive Curry. Think all your winter veggies like parsnips, French beans and swede all cooked in a tomato and coconut sauce- that ought to keep your immune system in check. Served with jeera rice, cinnamon, star anise and curry leaves, this is the pick-me-up you need this winter, the taste is just a bonus.
We know Indian restaurants don't usually upsell their desserts, but the Christmas Kulfi sounds too good to resist- so save some room for a sweet treat. If there was a 'taste of Christmas' this would be it. The Kulfi ice cream has all those festive flavours, like cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg and orange peel mixed together and served on a stick.
To wash all the festive food down, surely a Christmas-themed drink is essential. The Coconut Hot Toddy is a warming mix of bourbon, coconut rum, cinnamon and lemon juice and goes down a treat.
For a boozy Bundobust twist on a vegan iced chai, try the Masala Chaas made up of brandy, Baileys and ginger liqueur, blended into the chai. The non-alcoholic choices are just as tempting: the Ginger Tom has ginger ale, cranberry juice, apple, cinnamon, lime and mint, all served in a champagne flute so you don't feel like you're missing out on the booze.
A visit to Bundobust wouldn't be complete without a tipple of craft beer, and this Christmas is no different. Enjoy seasonal specials such as Bundobust Brewery’s very own hoppy red ale, Lal Naak, a 5.5% classic American style red ale which makes its debut this winter.
To get your hands on this imaginative reinvention of the humble Christmas dinner, visit the Bundobust website and click on the Leeds location when booking.
Feature Image- Bundobust
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.
Sophie Smith -
24th November 2021 
