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.
The North West’s most ordered burger has landed in Leeds, and it’s easy to see why it’s loved by so many.
If you don't know about Burgerism, then get to know.
The iconic burger brand, which started life as a dark kitchen off an industrial estate in Salford, is now almost ready to welcome fans into its first Leeds location.
Set to open tomorrow – Wednesday 23 September – Burgerism will be serving up their signature smash burgers from a new site over in Meanwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The site sits right next to The Meadwood Tavern on Meanwood Road, the perfect location for if you're out and about and looking for a bit of grub after a few pints.
The interior is sporting the bright Burgerism orange, and although it is mainly a takeaway restaurant there are a few seats for sit-in.
You’ll be able to order your food at the counter, via self-service kiosks, or through click-and-collect on the Burgerism website.
Images: The Hoot leeds
Highlights on the menu will, as always, include the fan-favourite Cheesed (two smashed patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and the brand’s signature sauce, served in a seeded brioche bun), as well as a range of chicken burgers, fries, and wings.
Everything is made fresh to order, and even their sauces and dips are made entirely in-house.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And the good stuff doesn't stop there, as to celebrate the grand opening they'll be giving away the first 100 customers from 5pm a 'Comeback Card' where you'll eat on them during your next visit. So get there early if you don't want to miss out
The Meanwood site will be the sixth Burgerism site following its five openings elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
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.
Sophie Smith -
15th October 2021 
