The 'Stuck in the Past' taster menu is inspired by 'dishes close to Cottam's heart', with comforting and familiar flavours, it's set to be a proper winter feast.
Think Porcini and Black Trompette ‘Baked Alaska’ with black garlic and sherry and Glazed Pork Belly with macadamia and ginger pork sauce.
The second mirror keeps much of its dishes under wraps: aptly named Smoke and Mirror, the menu explores how sight, smell and taste affects the dining experience.
The new menus come as 'the chef has decided to resist the temptation to follow many of the nation’s top restaurants to discount, dumb down and ultimately change what they stand for to survive. Cottam has made the choice to celebrate the joy of dining out'.
There's also a new non-alcoholic drink pairing option that brings a unique combination of juice, aromas, waters, infusions, ferments and more, each designed to perfectly match the dishes and entertain guests.
Image: Supplied, PGHL
Speaking on the new multi-sensory menus, Cottam said:
“Stuck in the Past” is a menu that celebrates the dishes that hold a special place in my heart. Each plate is a modern twist on a classic flavour combination that I absolutely adore.
Some of these dishes have been a part of my life for a long time, going back decades, while others are more recent discoveries. But they all have one thing in common – they evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, reminding me of the first time I tasted them.
2023 was the most challenging of all the recent years so far. I have no idea what 2024 will hold for us, trading conditions out there are hugely unpredictable right now, but what I can and will control is what we create inside my restaurant’.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Sophie Smith -
23rd January 2024 
