Eats

POCO is serving Sicilian treats from second Headingley site

A taste of Italy, right here in Headingley.

Sophie Smith - 25th February 2022

A slice of Sicily is now available for brekkie, dinner and tea in Headingley.

POCO opened a second site in Headingley at the start of this year, and their selection of authentic Italian treats are proving to be a huge success with customers.

First opened in 2018 on Kirkstall Road by the team behind popular Italian kitchen Culto in Meanwood, POCO has been serving up different flavoured arancini, as well as dishes like focaccine, fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio and made become a Leeds foodie staple in the process.

Now open on Headingley's Otley Road (near The Box and the arndale), POCO is continuing to bring a slice of Italy to the streets of Leeds.

The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian 'Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection.

The same goes for the Sicilian arancini balls.

There's a fresh vegetarian and meat flavoured option every single day on offer- fillings like beef bolognese are found between layers of rice and breadcrumbs before being deep fried and served as the perfect lunchtime snack.

Then there's the deep dish lasagna with four juicy layers of meat or aubergine, topped with rich tomato sauce and fine parmesan shavings; chicken wings served in half dozens; huge portions of roasted potatoes and colourful vegetables- and all these are just the savoury options.

The dessert cabinet is just as full, and stacked with tasty sweet desserts.

Expect regular and gluten-free cannelloni in irresistible flavours like salted caramel and pistachio, as well as morning goods like Nutella and vanilla stuffed croissants.

Oven-baked bombolones are a standout favourite here, and it's not difficult to see why. Topped with fruit, cream and icing sugar, these are perfectly paired with thick Italian hot chocolate- the recipe is thick and creamy that you might need a spoon to eat this, rather than drink it too.

If sugary drinks aren't going to persuade you, their coffee will.

Priced from £1.50 for an espresso and £2.30 for a coffee, this is some of the best value coffee in Headingley- and the profits don't go to a mass corporation, it supports the local high street.

POCO has been inundated with orders since opening and is particularly busy during the weekends, so make sure to pop down early on before the Otley runners make the most of the checkpoint and deplete the stock on a Saturday.

This seems to be the second of (what we're hoping will be) many stores across the city- the team have big plans for what's to come next and we can't wait to see whether more stores will pop up in our surrounding neighbourhoods soon.

You can see what all the fuss is for yourself Monday -Thursday at 11am - 9pm, or at the later closing time of 10pm during the rest of the week.

Feature Image- POCO