The Christmas countdown is on. Not necessarily for the big day itself, but for all those wonderful traditions we all participate in leading up to the festive period.
Since the Leeds Christmas Markets were cancelled, local hotels and bars have been reinventing festive traditions for the city and there's plenty of exciting trips to keep us busy until 25 December.
Very few of these events will be able to compete with Dakota and their showstopper of an afternoon tea.
The Festive Afternoon Tea will be available on Fridays and Saturdays during the Christmas countdown between 1pm and 4pm each day.
Upon entry, receive a mouthwatering mix of amuse bouche dishes to sample. The single-bite hors d'œurves are split into three tiers, each inspired by the warm flavours of Christmas.
Dakota Leeds is located in the heart of the city centre, less than a five-minute walk from the train station. / Image: Dakota Hotels
Start with a selection of tea sandwiches, for a sensory experience that can only remind you of December: spiced plum chutney with Appleby Cheshire cheese or Argyll smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche and pickled cucumber.
For a taste of Christmas dinner before the big day, there's a roast Cumbrian turkey and cranberry selection to sample and even a truffled egg mayonnaise sandwich with watercress.
Pair these delicious sandwiches with a selection of homemade pastries and fancies. Take a bite from a nutty chestnut and apple macaron; pistachio and cranberry choux bun or sample the warming cinnamon and winter fruit loaf.
Fancy something to cleanse your palette with a cocoa-based delight? The chocolate and cherry mousse is sure to satisfy you, but there are also a selection of additional cakes and sweets available as part of Dakota's Festive Afternoon Tea.
The choux pastry of the dark chocolate and hazelnut profiterole has caught our eye, but the sweet white chocolate and mulled winter fruit tart sounds as equally tempting.
The use of local ingredients to inspire these dishes is just one speciality of this delicious menu.
The sticky Yorkshire parkin is the perfect way to round off your afternoon delight, with a glass of fizz in-hand.
The Dakota Festive Afternoon Tea costs £25 per person. Book on their website to avoid disappointment, particularly if additional dietary requirements need to be catered for.
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
This iconic Leeds pub is selling 25p pints for the weekend alongside a 70’s-inspired menu
Clementine Hall
Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds are turning back the clocks for four days only.
Ever fancied giving time travel a go? Well now's your chance, as a historic Leeds pub are looking back to time gone by for the weekend.
Whitelock's Ale House are collaborating with Double Diamond beer, an iconic British pale ale made popular in the 70's and now somewhat having a resurgence.
From this Thursday 26 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, pints of Double Diamond will be available for just 25p.
Yep, you can't even get a Freddo for 25p these days let alone a cold, refreshing pint.
Guests will be able to grab their first pint of Double Diamond for 25p along with a nostalgic specials menu from the Whitelock's kitchen.
And if you know anything about their food, it's always class so this specials menu will be absolutely no exception.
The specials menu includes a french onion quiche, a coronation chicken sandwich, gammon, pineapple, egg and chips and to top it all off, a raspberry Swiss roll with custard.
You can get three courses for just £30 and you can either pre-order or order individually when you're there.
This is set to be a real blast from the past, so rally your mates together and prepare for a trip down memory lane and for what could be the cheapest pint of your life.
You can find out more and book your table at Whitelock's Ale House here.
Sophie Smith -
15th October 2021 
