One of Leeds' favourite restaurants has had a gorgeous summer glow-up.
After gracing Leeds with beautiful fine-dining in the heart of the city centre almost ten years ago, Crafthouse hasn't looked back since its opening.
Now, bringing its stunning rooftop setting into the summer season, the Michelin-guide recommended restaurant and bar has had an exciting makeover- just in time for summer.
An urban jungle with plenty of greenery. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Expect a beautiful escape from the everyday on the rooftop with plenty of greenery and decor inspired by the changing of the seasons.
Zoe Yeoh the General Manager at Crafthouse explained: “Located in the heart of the city and with a view of the rooftops across the town, we have been inspired to develop our décor to bring the outside in. Mixing town and country and creating a green oasis for our diners to enjoy.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“The light, fresh and full of life scheme aims to relax our diners and envelop them in a world away from the day to day.”
Head Chef Simon Jewitt has even made alterations to the menu to reflect the interior changes with delicious choices of Nori cured Loch Duart salmon and pea & lemon verbena risotto soon to be firm summer favourites.
The new A La Carte Menu awaits. / Image: Crafthouse
The A La Carte menu is also now reflective of the seasonal produce available, with the likes of pan fried cod and roasted cauliflower gnocchi with Swiss chard, ver jus grapes, almond foam, as well as barbecued maitake mushroom with broad bean and sorrel salad, black garlic purée, finished with nasturtium making an appearance on the new sunshine-inspired menu.
Meat-eaters will also be delighted to find the Hereford fillet of beef offerings with pastrami short rib, crispy potato terrine confit roscoff onion and watercress purée as an ideal late evening dinner option whilst day drinkers and salad conessuiers are expected to be blown away by the effortless heritage tomato & buffalo burrata salad, romesco sauce with lovage and parmesan.
For more information about how you can head up to the newly-refurbished Crafthouse restaurant and grab a seat in the sunshine to test out Simon Jewitt's latest creations for yourself, visit the Crafthouse website.
Feature Image- Crafthouse
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
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 -
13th May 2022 
