Masala fish and chips, curried paneer pizza and make your own curry sauce.
Nestled just outside the city centre in the suburb of Sheepscar, this is a true hidden-gem spot just waiting to be uncovered.
The Sheepscar Bar and Grill is home to a one-of-a-kind menu that effortlessly fuses traditional pub grub with the best spices from Indian cuisine.
We're talking masala pizzas and mouth-watering mixed grills, all hidden amongst a huge menu of curried meats, sauces aplenty, seekh kebabs and so much more.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Curry Your Way! menu is all about putting together the ultimate personalised curry. Choose from chicken, lamb, king prawns, keema and paneer as your main ingredient before adding your favourite traditional sauce like balti, korma, rogan josh or bhuna- and finally choose your level of spice.
There's a mild 'Gora Style' which is for "when you like biryani but prefer to be mild; the mid-range 'Apna Style' for "when you want to push but not over the edge" or opt for the hottest 'Chak de Phatte', "when you think you can eat like the locals".
Alternatively, there's plenty of curry dishes that come exactly to the chef's order- and most of these are vegetarian. Think paneer saag spinach and chana masala chickpea curry, both of which prove that you don't need to include meat in a curry to taste the individual flavours of a curry.
This said, if you are looking for a carnivorous offering, the mixed grill should be your go-to.
Marinated for 48 hours and cooked on The Sheepscar's renowned indoor coal barbecue and traditional clay oven, helpings of tender chicken tikka, lamb chips, seekh kebabs, chicken wings, and fish pakora are all available as servings that cater for up to four people at a time.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If that's not enough, you can order your choice of grilled meat on a freshly-made thin naan bread. as a lunchtime treat or light dinner option. Served with spicy rice or chips, salad and mint sauce, this is the all-in-one meal suffice for any occasion.
There's also some incredible pizza offerings available too. Butter chicken, tandoori achari paneer or even the meaty mixed grill can be served on fresh pizza bases, toasted with tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese to provide a modern fusion dish unlike anything you've seen before.
Of course, there's all your usual dipping sauces, chips, rices, raitas and salad to choose from, including the likes of chilli chips coated in fresh spices and five different types of naan bread.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for an authentic Indian cuisine that swaps long curry menus for one-of-a-kind dishes with a twist to spice up your usual order, this truly is a hidden gem just waiting to be uncovered.
The Sheepscar Bar and Grill is open every weekday from 5pm - 10/10.30pm whilst the weekends see earlier trading hours of 1pm - 10/10.30pm.
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food
Clementine Hall
What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.
The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.
Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.
We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.
I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.
From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.
By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.
Sophie Smith -
26th May 2022 
