There's a winter terrace, unreal cocktails and some of the tastiest food around available- all with panoramic city views.
Combining traditional Japanese cuisine with contemporary decor and a sophisticated flair, Issho is the only place you'll want to lost track of time by wining and dining away the afternoon in the city centre.
Issho – meaning ‘together’ in Japanese – is conveniently located on the third floor of Victoria Gate overlooks the city, and at twilight captures Leeds in all of its glory. Think lilac skies fading into a midnight blue, whilst sat on cosy blanketed seats, sipping cocktails without a care.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The twinkle of the nights sky truly captures the essence of the bar and restaurant here. Calm, quiet but full of surprises- and that's before you've set foot indoors.
Inside guests are welcomed by a roaring fire so that even if it's snowing outside on the high street, the lobby and indoor seating remains warm and cosy.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Offering a contemporary twist on traditional Izakaya dining, the bar staff are ready to offer just about any cocktail imaginable- all beautifully decorated with dried fruit and herbs.
If you're doing Dry January, there's even refreshing non-alcoholic mocktails available that taste similar to their boozy predecessors.
The Shisho Smash from Issho is made from Seedlip Spice 94, an alcohol-free spirit distilled in the same way as an other spirit: just without the boozy bit. It’s a sophisticated blend of Allspice berries and Cardamom, mixed in with lime juice, sugar syrup, elderflower cordial and topped with Shisho leaves.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But for those not partaking in Dry Jan, The Ki No Bi cocktail menu is full of delicious flavours that are unparalleled to any of the cocktail bars nearby.
The Ki No Shokan comprises of Ki No Bi Dry with Mancino Sakura Vermouth and homemade lemon and thyme syrup. Sweet, with a moorish after taste, you won't want to waste a drop of this one. Unless you've had chance to try Akuma City, a Ki No Bi cocktail with Ki No Bi Dry, Akashi-Tai Plum Sake, Lillet Blanc, homemade Japanese pepper syrup and Angostura bitter.
The Hana Sensei is the crown jewels of the menu and should be treated as such. Shaken to perfection and derived from a combination of Ki No Sei, Dom Benedictine, violette liquor and cardamom bitters, it tastes exactly like parma violets- and no, we don't mean the Wetherspoons parma violet gin.
This sophisticated cocktail has truly embodied the flavour of those sugary snacks, right down to the fizz on your tongue; it's truly something special, and more than justifies the £13.50 price tag.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Yuki Sapporo cocktail menu is paired with a selection of seasonal dishes that bring the best of Japanese fine-dining to the third floor of Victoria Gate.
Three small plates and a range of dipping sauces are served, including Tiger Prawn and chilli butter, Chicken Karaage, wasabi mayo, Yasai Tempura, seasonal vegetables and tempura sauce.
If melt in your mouth chicken is your craving on a cold winter's afternoon: you're in for a real treat, especially if you use the wasabi mayo as a dipping sauce.
The Chicken Karaage, followed by a bite of the Yasai Tempura, that's a combination of asparagus and prawn tempura, will leave you with a sensory sensation very rarely found in Leeds-Japanese foodie scene: it's not just the taste that delights, but the texture and visual appeal too.
It's not just afternoon small plates and winter warmers that Issho specialise in, their bottomless afternoon tea is renowned in Leeds as one of the best around. Offering ninety minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside its Japanese-style afternoon tea, for £47.50.
As part of the experience, you’ll enjoy unlimited prosecco as you tuck into a host of delicate Japanese finger-food treats. The selection here is split into three: spanning sushi, savoury and sweet, and also includes a selection of fine Japanese and English teas.
If you're looking for somewhere for a special occasion that requires a zen atmosphere to unwind and treat yourself, we really can't think of anywhere better.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
The independent Leeds cafe speaking up after massive coffee chain opens opposite
Daisy Jackson
An independent bakery and coffee shop in Leeds has spoken out after a huge chain opened its doors opposite her cafe.
Savannah Roqaa, owner of The Savvy Baker, has said that she's on a mission to overtake the sales of Blank Street, the massive matcha chain that opened just metres away within weeks of her new site.
She said that while her brand is best-known for its baked goods, they also specialise in high-quality matcha - something Sav says wasn't in good supply in Leeds at the time she opened.
And now she's publicly spoken out about her mission to tempt people away from the big chain and into her independent business.
In a video shared online, Sav has been inviting customers leaving Blank Street to swap their matcha for one of hers, free of charge.
She then remakes the white chocolate matcha herself, but using quality Callebaut white chocolate, melting real chocolate into the drink.
The customer in the video says: "You can tell, it's way sweeter and like actually white chocolate tasting. And the matcha is greener, which is better."
Sav from The Savvy Baker has spoken of her mission to overtake Blank StreetMatcha from The Savvy Baker in Leeds
Sav said: "So when we signed the lease on literally the biggest risk ever, which is this huge shop in Leeds city centre, we had absolutely no idea that Blank Street were opening their biggest store in the entire world across the road.
"They are a global brand that is obviously very very popular, and we just wanted to try and at least match their sales."
She said that she's heard Blank Street sells 5,000 drinks every single week and is hoping to increase sales at The Savvy Baker enough to match.
Sav said: "Last week we sold 890 drinks. We've converted one, so that is 4,109 more people to convert...
"But we have a lot more tricks up our sleeve, so follow along to see if we can do it. And we would massively appreciate any support that you can give us."
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
