We've all heard references to 'the secret menu' - an exclusive, under-the-counter selection of dishes only available to those in the know.
Commonly, it's big fast food chains that get the attention for this, but from what we hear there are a few Leeds indies offering similar stylings to their favourite regulars across the city.
But today we're talking about one secret menu in particular, and it happens to come from Leeds' Instagram-famous baking sensation Savannah Roqaa, aka The Savvy Baker.
Image: The Savvy Baker
From lockdown baking in her flat to announcing the opening of not one but two cafes this year, it really has been an exciting few years for the West Yorkshire brownie and brookie magnate.
Her first cafe in Roundhay opened in March, serving all the usual brownies, brookies, cookies, flapjacks, cakes, tarts and 'sticky stuff' alongside Leeds’ famous North Star coffee.
But this week, the cult baker has revealed she also offers a 'secret menu' of hot drinks to guests that know to ask for them.
Packed full of dreamy-sounding winter warmers, it features autumnal treats like orange hot chocolates, pumpkin spiced lattes, gingerbread lattes and honeycomb hot chocolates.
And that's not all, there's also maple spiced oat lattes and a 'Hot Bakewell', which Savannah assures us tastes just "like a Bakewell tart in a drink". It sounds pretty divine to us.
Image: The Savvy Baker
With even more secret menu items said to be pending, to get your hands on one of these under-the-counter treats all you need to do ask for them at the Roundhay cafe, which opens every Tuesday – Sunday from 8.30am-4pm.
Digging into Biscoff brookies, Boost bar brownies, Mini Egg cookies, Freddo brookies, Cornflake brownies, milk choc cookies and more just got even better, thanks to these new hot drinks. We're very much ready for autumn now, thank you.
Feature image - The Savvy Baker
Leeds
A modern Mexican restaurant made famous in Manchester is opening in Leeds city centre next week
The North’s favourite Mexican restaurant is arriving in Leeds.
You've met Salon Madre, but have you met her older sister Madre?
This fabulous new restaurant is bringing a taste of Mexico to Leeds, and after making a name for themselves over in Manchester you already know it's going to be good.
By day, Madre is a laid-back space designed for relaxed lunches and by night, it transforms into a lively restaurant serving a menu that celebrates the breadth of Mexican cuisine.
Expect everything from rich Oaxacan-inspired moles and salsas to Baja-style mariscos and Sonoran grilled meats.
Images: The Manc Group
At the heart of Madre is the Mexican tradition of sobremesa - the art of lingering at the table long after the meal is over. It’s all about good food, great drinks and even better company.
Madre’s famous Taco Tuesday will also be heading to Leeds, launching on Cinco de Mayo and running every Tuesday thereafter, guests can enjoy two-for-one tacos all day, every Tuesday.
Madre joins its sister venue, Salon Madre - the lively tequila bar and taqueria- which opened just a few weeks ago. Just a few minutes walk apart, the two spots are perfectly paired for a full day or night out.
We're talking dinner at Madre followed by a few margaritas and a couple games of pool at Salon Madre - class.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by extensive travels across Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve, and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of Madre.”
Madre Leeds will be located on Wellington Place and will officially open its doors next Friday 17 April, you can book your table here.
Take a look inside the huge Tulip Festival that’s just opened in Yorkshire with over one million tulips
Clementine Hall
Farmer Copley's Tulip Festival is back and it's just as beautiful as we remember.
Spring has officially sprung and with it, so does Farmer Copley's iconic Tulip Festival that officially opened last Sunday.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family really know how to get you feeling ready for the season ahead.
Just moments after entering the festival, we can assure you that winter will feel like a distant memory.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Spanning over 8 acres, Jack and the team have planted over 600,00 tulip bulbs consisting of 100+ different varieties of all shapes and colours that arrived directly from the Netherlands.
In addition to the 500,000 planted last year, that means there's over one million tulips to enjoy - now that is pretty impressive if you ask us.
Varieties include Carnaval de Rio, Tom Pouce, Gavota, Lily Flowering Mix, Blushing Appledorn, Wedding Dress and Rodolfo.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The festival includes five sections that have been split by 5 metre walkways enabling the best customer interaction in the field.
There's two dedicated pick your own areas where a mix of bulbs have been planted to ensure that visitors have a wide range of tulips to explore, pick from and create the perfect bunch of tulips. How lovely is that?
Of course there's plenty of photo opportunities, fairground rides and a bar to enjoy the view with a tipple or two.
This really is the perfect family-friendly day out and with the weather looking gorgeous (for now), we'd take the opportunity to see the tulips looking their best whilst you can.
The festival is on until Sunday 3 May 2026, with tickets starting from just £9.
To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Farmer Copleys website. We'll see you in the tulip fields.
Georgina Pellant -
14th September 2022 
