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.
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 -
15th October 2021 
