Taking over the kitchen inside Number 8 in Meanwod, Dijon Boys is the new foodie pop-up that landed themselves a permanent kitchen residency- all less than six months after their first pop-up event.
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 to bring it to Leeds.
Having started less than six months ago with a pop-up dinner at Boot and Rally in Meanwood, the Dijon Boys have secured themselves a permanent kitchen residency just over the road from where it all began.
The kitchen takeover begins in September. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Jamie Layall, Cameron Sohel and Nicko Lachica, make up the team heading up Number 8's kitchen- and are all aged just 22 years old. The impressive achievement of taking on a permanent kitchen residency in such a short time appears to be through a series of successful pop-ups and before taking on their own venture, through mentorship and guidance from local restaurants.
Between the three Dijon Boys, they've worked in The Ivy in Leeds and Manchester, as well as The Woods, The Mustard Pot and Sukhothai. Business and Operations Manager Jamie gave the latter a humbling nod to: "huge thanks to Pat from Sukhothai Chapel Allerton – couldn’t have had a better first job to learn and understand service and how to run a restaurant".
On the menu, you can expect small sharing plates of food, all inspired by British classics. The menu is ever-evolving, and will highlight the best of seasonal produce but is set to feature plenty of charcuterie, sweet and savoury plates, as well as smaller bar snacks.
The new opening will specialise in small plates of British fusion. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Beginning as a pop-up only kitchen, the Dijon Boys have operated under the name Herencia, which means integrity and legacy, and gives a humbling nod to Head Chef Nicko's family restaurant in the Philippines, which operates under the same name.
Previous menus have seen the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed events with some seriously swoon-worthy dishes.
Diners will be able to pair the menu with cocktails, wines and beers from Number 8 Cocktails. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Think Wild venison steak with purple sprouting broccoli and chocolate mole sauce, tandoori monkfish with spiced hung yoghurt and carrot sauerkraut and oyster mushroom yakitori with cabbage and sesame salad wasabi gel, tempura spring onion and mushroom broth.
The Dijon Boys said that their relationship with the Meanwood restaurant blossomed after hosting a private event: "After hosting a private dining event at Number 8 Cocktails we established an excellent relationship with the owner, James Ince. From there we continued to discuss future events and it became evident that we both had similar intentions".
Dijon Boys Jamie, Cameron and Nicko. / Image: Dijon Boys
Adding, "James is such a nice guy and believes in our project and we are thrilled to be able to grow our business with him on board".
"We have always dreamed of having our own kitchen and a permanent location and we are very excited to be able to make this dream come true. We will now have a base to cook from and serve customers – there will always be a location where our customers can find us and try our food.
"We are still planning on doing pop ups moving forward but we are very grateful to James at Number 8 Cocktails for giving us this opportunity to be able to represent our style and what we can do".
Dijon Boys will serve from Number 8 Cocktails in Meanwood. / Image: Dijon Boys
Although the kitchen takeover will be running for good on Friday 23 September 2022 inside Number 8 Cocktails, you can grab a Sunday roast in advance of the official opening to give the new residency a taste test.
We’re talking herb and fennel stuffed pork loin with onion gravy, 12 hours braised short rib or beef with red wine jus and a butternut squash and olive stuffed cabbage leaves with veg gravy, plus a Yorkshire pud, roasties and seasonal veggies on the side. There’s starters, sides and desserts on offer too.
Sunday Roasts will be a big hit on the menu. / Image: Dijon Boys
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
15th August 2022 
