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 Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The beautiful West Yorkshire valley walk that ends at a top gastropub
Daisy Jackson
If your idea of a perfect Sunday doesn't involve a stroll in the countryside followed by lunch in a country pub - we can't be friends.
And if that does sound like your idea of a very nice day out, we've found a pretty spectacular walk-roast combo for you, right here in West Yorkshire.
You can start your day by strolling through surprisingly varied and very green countryside, with stunning valley views, before resting your weary legs beneath the table of an award-winning gastropub.
If you haven't guessed it yet - we're off to the Shibden Valley, just outside Halifax, where your gentle hike will lead you straight to the warm embrace of the Shibden Mill Inn.
The walk begins in the car park beside the pub, but don't get tempted in for a pint just yet.
There's an easy-moderate 5.6km circular that will lead you along a country lane, dropping down to cross a brook, then heading back up a gentle incline towards the top of the valley.
The views along the Shibden Valley from here are beautiful - lush green fields dotted with trees as far as the eye can see.
Then the route takes you along some wide open fields, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way, before heading into peaceful woodlands.
You can take a break here to paddle in the stream before continuing on through farmland, with friendly horses to say hello to.
Views along the Shibden Valley Circular. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Then you'll find yourself back at the Shibden Mill Inn, a pub that's consistently finding itself in the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.
Dating back to the 17th century, it's a pretty white building converted from a former mill, with ivy climbing all up its walls.
There's a sizeable beer garden - with a live musician playing when we popped in - but it's hard to resist the cosy charm of the pub's interior, where staff have to duck beneath the low ceiling beams and no surface feels totally straight.
The Shibden Mill Inn's Sunday roast offering does a set menu, with two courses for £40 or three for £45, changing seasonally.
You'll find pub classics on the starters, like chicken liver parfait and homemade soup, before delving into the main event - the Sunday roast.
We love a pub that gives you both mashed AND roasted potatoes, which the Shibden Mill Inn does, along with roast seasonal veg and a towering Yorkshire pudding.
The Sunday roast at the Shibden Mill InnChicken liver parfait, and soup Chocolate fondant with torched marshmallowInside the Shibden Mill Inn
There's roasted salt-aged sirloin of beef, cooked perfectly pink (though they're happy to give it a bit longer if you prefer your meat to not be blushing); or an excellent wedge of belly pork with crispy crackling.
And on the side, a portion of cauliflower cheese that is actually more cheese than cauliflower. Perfect.
Puddings are a nice mix of heavy winter favourites and lighter, fruitier desserts - but we go full stodge, with a chocolate fondant dessert topped with torched marshmallow, salted caramel, and sugared pecans, and have no regrets.
If you want to replicate this Sunday walk and roast, you can see the full circular route here.
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
