Located in the leafy suburb of Roundhay, Chophaus have been cooking up a storm just in time for the festive countdown.
The popular steakhouse have already been celebrated this week for the launch of their exotic Caribbean menu from top chef Dom Taylor, but Chophaus have now added their Christmas menu into the mix- making that all-important decision of what to eat near enough impossible.
The set-courses can are served throughout the day from the same meat-lovers menu with all the trimmings.
For starters, a taste of all your festive favourites will get your stomach growling and your mouth watering.
The restaurant is located in Roundhay, a short bus journey from Leeds city centre. / Image: Chophaus
The Ham Hock Terrine is complemented by cranberry and port chutney, piccalilli on a bed of crispy breads: giving you a hint of flavour without overwhelming the palette.
Kiln Smoked Salmon with lemon pepper cream cheese, beetroot, clementine and crayfish dressings is also a small bites option on the starter menu, along with Spiced Parsnip and Yellow Lentil Soup.
Chophaus are locally-famous for their sensational steak menu, so their festive options wouldn't be complete without a few sizzling meats.
Choose from either the Salisbury Steak with roasted chestnuts, rainbow carrots, crispy parsnips and porcini jus or the Yorkshire Steak with roast chestnuts duxelles, Bordelaise sauce and crispy parsnips.
The pig in a blanket has to make an appearance somewhere, so where better than on the Turkey Roulade. / Image: Chophaus
Both are served with sage and garlic roasted potatoes and herb dressed greens, so there's no worry of losing out of those carbs.
Seafood lovers however may wish to swap their steak for a Baked Cod Thermidor. The beautifully-presented dish is served with spuds and greens, as well as Samphire, Parmesan and crayfish dressing.
The potatoes here deserve a review of their own: fluffy and flavoursome. / Image: Chophaus
Of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas menu without a turkey or two in sight and Chophaus have not disappointed.
The Turkey Roulade has the full festive works plated up with cranberry and leg stuffing, pig in a blanket, root mash, cranberry sauce and port jus.
For dessert, the Dark Chocolate and Orange Tart will give any lovers of a Terry's Chocolate Orange the perfect post-meal palette cleanser, but there's also Christmas pudding, a Yorkshire cheese plate and Rum and Raisin Panna Cotta on offer too.
The chocolate tarts are bursting with flavour. / Image: Chophaus
To see the full menu and make a reservation, visit the Chophaus website.
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.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
19th November 2021 
