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Dijon Boys: The new must-try small plates spot taking over Meanwood
If this is the foodie menu you can produce within six months of starting a business, it'll be SO exciting to see how Dijon Boys grows in the coming years.
Tucked away inside a cosy cocktail bar in the heart of Meanwood, Dijon Boys has been cooking up a storm since opening their kitchen inside Number 8 Cocktails.
With ever-changing specials and a considered menu of seafood, meat dishes, veggie options and dessert small plates, this style of dining is perfect for sharing with your nearest and dearest.
The idea is you choose a range of dishes to suit each individual palette and share between the table. With so much to choose from, there truly is a dish for everyone, and the selection will have you fighting over the last slice of just about everything.
On the main menu, expect tender meats like the Tandoori chicken thigh in a rich dahl and raita; lamb osso bucco with polenta and salsa verde or opt for a 60z bavette steak cooked in a garlic puree and chimichurri.
Meanwhile on the seafood side, you'll find plenty more options to choose from. Think trout ceviche with avocado and calamansi or mussels in a Thai green curry sauce and palapa, or there's always the catch of the day (options like crab ravioli with a crab bisque and seafood stew make an appearance, but this regularly changes).
Every time you walk through the door, you have the opportunity to taste test a brand new range of dishes, and explore a varying combination of flavours with your chosen company.
To accompany the meaty small plates, there's a gorgeous selection of vegetarian options that prove veggies never have to be a boring second thought ever again. Taking British staples like carrots and transforming the flavours with hints of soy, marmalade and anise in a glaze is just one example of this.
The potato terrine is far from your average carb portion, served as a crispy on the outside, revealing soft sliced potatoes, these are the creamy delight that will firmly stay in your mind long after finish every last crumb.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those looking for a light bite should grab the pear and goats cheese carpaccio from the specials menu whilst you can to start or end their round of small plate, the delicate dish is beautifully presented, but it's light yet creamy flavouring makes it ideal for cleansing the palette.
Specialising in their namesake, all the cocktails at Number 8 Cocktails are ideal for a sweet, sour and boozy tipple to pair with any of the dishes- there's rum with honeycomb, classic Margaritas and a fruity modern take on the Victorian gin-based Floradora that comes highly recommended too.
With a DJ playing late into the night combining old school records with lively beats to create an intimate ambience, this is the perfect spot for a cosy Saturday night out of the city centre.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The former stomping ground of much-loved The Hungry Bear restaurant has only been home to Number 8 Cocktails for the past year but it feels as though it's always belonged in the quiet suburb. The cocktail bar is a true Meanwood staple, and the addition of the Dijon Boys has only elevated the space further. You'll feel right at home here, regardless of whether you're heading for a bite to eat, a quick afternoon drink or checking out the latest records upstairs inside the Meanhood record shop.
Bringing quality dishes to a relaxed setting is something that the Dijon Boys have been wanting to bring to the table for a long time, and with 18 years of combined experience between them, they know a thing or two about how fusing the two options.
Dijon Boys Jamie, Cameron and Nicko. / Image: Dijon Boys
The impressive achievement of taking on a permanent kitchen residency only six months after starting their business appears to be through a series of successful pop-ups and before taking on their own venture, through mentorship and guidance from local restaurants.
At just 22 years old, the trio of chefs are showcasing an exciting new offering here like nothing else in the local area, and we can't wait to see where the new venture takes them in the years to come.
Feature Image-The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Five of the best new openings in Leeds recently – from ice bath cafes to listening bars
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Domo
Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.
Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.
Kontrast
84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds. Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.
Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist. With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.
We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.
The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.
The best restaurants in Yorkshire named at prestigious National Restaurant Awards
Clementine Hall
The best restaurants in the UK have been named at the National Restaurant Awards – and Yorkshire has done pretty well for itself.
The prestigious awards took place last night, listing the top 100 places to eat in the entire UK.
Four restaurants in Yorkshire managed to make it into the top 100 of the country’s best restaurants.
Coming in at a very impressive number 13 is Sheffield restaurant JÖRO, who's year has gone from accolade to accolade after being awarded none other than a Michelin star back in February.
Often hailed as the city's best restaurant, JÖRO is run by husband-and-wife team Luke French and Stacey Sherwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They recently relocated into a bigger space near the edge of the Peak District in Oughtibridge, which has allowed them to expand their offerings.
Here's what the judges had to say: 'A much larger and better-equipped kitchen has allowed French - whose CV includes Midsummer House in Cambridge - to evolve his already finely-tuned and distinctive cooking style.'
JÖRO announced the news to Instagram, saying: "To be sat in a room filled with incredible people from across the industry is truly inspiring and being listed is something our younger selves only dreamed of achieving."
Over in Leeds, beloved neighbourhood bistro Bavette placed at number 83 where owners Sandy and Clement stated they were "Over the moon" to have made it onto the list.
Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Angel at Hetton came in at number 47 being declared as a 'Yorkshire institution' whilst The Star Inn at Harome took number 78 as one of the first pubs in England to be awarded a Michelin star.
Sophie Smith -
5th October 2022 
