Over on Park Row in Leeds sits Argentinian steakhouse Gaucho, home to one of the very best bottomless brunch deals in the city.
Every Saturday, the restaurant serves a ninety-minute Electro Brunch deal giving you unlimited drinks and food - and yes, it's not exactly new but it's still one of the most indulgent offers we've seen to date.
For £57.50. you'll be treated to endless, free-flowing cocktails and as many of their 'brunch feast' dishes as you can muster - including several indulgent pudding options to finish, which put an Argentine twist on British favourites like banana bread and Eton mess.
Image: Gaucho
Of course, there's steak and eggs on the menu here and at somewhere like Gaucho that is a must. Known for its wet-aged beef, the cuts of steak are so supple and soft here you could cut through them with a butter knife.
Advised to be enjoyed no more well-cooked than medium-rare, if you're a big steak lover then this dish alone - served simply with chimichurri and a fried egg - is worth coming to the brunch for (and that's before we even get into the electro beats, the excellent drinks choices, and all the other menu options).
Promising 'a fusion of cool beats, melodic tunes and bassy rhythms', throughout your brunch session you can expect the best, curated house music from a selection of the hottest local DJs.
Image: Gaucho
As for drinks, think endless cocktails like Aperol spritz, pornstar martinis, Elder spritz, and bloody marys, plus staples like bottled lager, Ketel One peach and orange vodka with soda, Jack Daniels no.7 and lemonade or the house Domaine Chandon (Argentinian sparkling wine).
Other dishes to feast on here include the likes of stuffed burrata with a truffle-infused tomato salad, or the Choripan sandwich (chorizo sausage, chimichurri mayo, crispy shallots, brioche roll).
Elsewhere, you'll find smashed avocado on toasted rye bread served with a poached egg and salsa criolla, creamed chilli mushrooms on toast, eggs royale, and a maple bacon sandwich served with tomato jam on fresh crusty bread.
Image: Gaucho
Even better, there's also pudding - just so you can finish on a sweet note.
Choose (or don't choose, it's all bottomless after all) between everyone's lockdown favourite, banana bread, served here with passionfruit and a dulce mousse, or opt for the dulce Eton mess, laden with berry compote, dulce mousse, meringue.
Image: Gaucho
Usually, Gaucho's Electro brunch is held between 11am and 4pm every Saturday, but during January 2022 things are starting a little later at 12pm.
Priced at £57.50 per person for unlimited food and cocktails, there's no party booking limit- but if your party is 8 or more you may end up seated on separate tables.
To find out more and book, visit the Gaucho Electro Brunch website here. View the full menu here.
Feature image - Gaucho
Leeds
The Shawshank Redemption comes to Leeds Grand Theatre: a story of hope, survival and humanity
More than a prison story: it’s a discovery into toxic masculinity within prisons.
Adapting a film as iconic and widely loved as The Shawshank Redemption for the stage comes with enormous expectations, yet this touring production at Leeds Grand Theatre delivers a gripping and emotionally charged theatrical experience.
Rather than relying solely on the legacy of the film, the production successfully uses the intimacy of live theatre to create a darker, more psychologically intense interpretation of Stephen King’s story.
From the opening moments, the audience is immersed in the harsh world of Shawshank prison. The cold lighting, industrial staging and haunting sound design establish an atmosphere dominated by confinement, fear and institutional control.
Image: Supplied
The stripped-back set works effectively in creating a bleak and claustrophobic environment, allowing the emotional tension between characters to take centre stage. Unlike the cinematic scale of the film, the stage adaptation feels far more immediate and uncomfortable, forcing the audience to confront the realities of prison life at close range.
Joe McFadden delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Andy Dufresne, capturing the character’s quiet resilience, intelligence and emotional vulnerability without attempting to imitate the film portrayal.
Image: Supplied
Ben Onwukwe is equally compelling as Red, bringing warmth, humour and emotional depth to the role. The chemistry between the two actors becomes the emotional core of the production, perfectly reflecting the play’s themes of friendship, survival and hope.
One of the production’s strongest aspects is its exploration of toxic masculinity within the prison system. Shawshank is presented as an environment where power is maintained through aggression, intimidation and emotional suppression.
Image: Supplied
Vulnerability becomes dangerous, while violence and dominance are treated as necessary forms of survival. Bill Ward’s portrayal of Warden Stammas embodies this culture perfectly, delivering a performance filled with controlled menace, hypocrisy and quiet authority.
However, there were moments where the production lost some emotional realism. Several stage combat sequences, intended to highlight the brutality and hierarchy of prison life, felt under-rehearsed and lacked the intensity needed to fully convey the violence of the narrative. At times, the choreography appeared slightly unstructured, unintentionally reducing the tension of scenes that should have felt genuinely threatening.
Image: Supplied
Similarly, while the minimal set design effectively reinforced the oppressive atmosphere of Shawshank, the visual staging occasionally became repetitive throughout the production. Aside from the movement of Dufresne’s cell and the recurring use of the mobile bookcase, there was limited visual variation across scenes. Although this may have been a deliberate directorial choice to reflect the monotony of prison life, it did affect the pacing at points, with some audience engagement appearing to dip during slower sections.
Despite these criticisms, the production remains a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of theatre. Through strong performances, effective direction and its exploration of institutional power and masculinity, The Shawshank Redemption captures the endurance of hope and humanity in even the darkest environments. Thought-provoking, intense and deeply moving, it is a production that earns every moment of its standing ovation.
Running from 18 - 23 May at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House, you can get your tickets here.
Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood coffee shop were left starstruck as Stanley Tucci popped in for a brew.
It seems that even Hollywood A-listers love a trip to the beloved spa town of Ilkley.
Stanley Tucci, known for his iconic roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones and The Hunger Games was seen in Ilkley yesterday, Tuesday 19 May.
Thirty Nine Coffee Company, a popular brunch spot on Ilkley's main street The Grove, welcomed Tucci and his crew for a coffee after he was spotted filming at a local pub just across the road.
Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co
After this, it was said he went to go watch his own film The Devil Wears Prada 2 at The Ilkley Cinema.
Posting the news to Instagram, Thirty Nine Coffee Company said: "Look who popped in for a Thirty Nine coffee - awesome to meet the amazing @stanleytucci - what an amazing chap and lovely crew - so glad you enjoyed our coffee!"
Pictures were posted of Stanley taking selfies with the staff, clad in his usual trendy get-up consisting of chunky glasses, flat cap, wax jacket and scarf.
Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co
The owners of Thirty Nine said he loved his coffee that they served him and hey, if it's good enough for Stanley then it's good enough for us.
It's not clear what he was filming in Ilkley, but the actor is known for presenting a number of foodie documentaries so it could be something to do with this. We'll keep you posted when we know more.
The Hoot -
14th January 2022 
