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.
Image: POCO Sicilian
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.
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.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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
Eats
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Sophie Smith -
25th February 2022 
