One of the UK's best cocktail bars is hosting a sandwich kitchen with a unique menu of simple, but wholesome dishes that have been completely reinvented.
Beloved Roland's was recently placed in the prestigious list of 'Top 50 cocktail bars in the UK', but the bar has long been a favourite for Leeds locals.
The cocktail bar effortlessly fuses laid-back drinking with quality ingredients, killer cocktails and an incredible sun-trapped beer garden on the rooftop: there really isn't anything else quite like it in Leeds.
Whilst many frequent here for the inside-knowledge on Margaritas, or want to sample the award-winning drinks menu, the kitchen here is quickly becoming a stand-alone reason to head over to the Call Lane watering hole.
Roland's is one of the UK's top 50 cocktail bars. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Taking over the kitchen here is Don't Feed The Dog: a kitchen leading the 'sandwich revolution' with a small, but carefully considered menu of hoagies, subs and rolls.
Three sandwiches and four small plates: that's all they need to keep you coming back.
The sarnies here couldn't be further from your boring ham and margarine combos: served with seemingly endless toppings, the flavours are unique blends you're unlikely to have heard of before.
Mushroom Bahn Mi Sandwich. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Take the Mushroom Bahn Mi for instance, the vegan delight is made up of crispy fried oyster mushrooms with peanut butter, pickled daikon, carrots, fresh mint, fresh coriander, fresh chilli, peanuts and Sriracha mayo- delish.
The meaty alternatives are just as flavoursome: the Buffalo Chicken Sub comes with Panko crumb chicken breast, Franks hot sauce, blue cheese sauce, shredded lettuce and pickled: a simple but delectable fusion of classic sandwich toppings.
The Bunga Bunga is the only remaining sarnie and comes with a serious dedication to the Italian foodie scene. Think Italian cured meats, mozzarella cheese, Guardinera, shredded romain lettuce, cheese crack, drizzled with mayo.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Whilst Don't Feed The Dog is known for its standout sandwich selections, the side dishes deserve their own bragging rights.
There's even more Korean-style fried oyster mushrooms served without the slices of bread, with a dipping vegan hot sauce, as well as 15 hour cooked chips: which come as wafer thin layers of potato pressed with butter then cut into fat chips.
Served with a sage and parsley salsa verde, these carbs sit perfectly alongside the wackier options like deep-fried olives stuffed with oregano cream cheese.
Korean-style fried oyster mushrooms / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If that's not enough: there's breaded black pudding served with mustard mayo. Named black pudding bonbons, these tiny balls of meat are unlikely to be found on any other menu around Leeds- but that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be.
Served Wednesday - Sunday, serious sandwich conesseuirs and casual foodies alike will be obsessed with this one.
To get your hands on a hoagie, sub, roll or test out the sides, Don't Feed The Dog can be found inside Roland's five days a week until their stock runs out. Alternatively, you can preorder your sarnies to guarantee yourself a sarnie on the Don't Feed The Dog website.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
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 -
18th April 2022 
