Everything about Fint is carefully put together, and it shows.
Fint, formerly Fettle, is combining laid-back Scandi style with organic, seasonal produce to bring Leeds' city streets an unrivalled menu of breakfast, brunch and dinnertime specials.
After some serious rebranding back in August, the team behind Fettle opened, Fint. Housed in the same space as its predecessor on Leeds’ leafy Great George street, the owners have rebranded following a period of closure – and we were really excited to see them back, albeit in a new guise.
Fint is located on Great George Street in Leeds city centre. / Image: Fint Leeds
Fettle was known and loved for its understated, laid-back cafe-meets-restaurant vibe, and whilst the space has reemerged with a new name it seems that its overall aesthetic still holds up. The difference? There’s now more of a restaurant focus.
The menu is still a treat to uncover: you're unlikely to find anything like it around Leeds.
Using seasonal produce to make up the ever-changing menu, expect dishes like eggs benedict cooked to perfection with unusual earthy combinations that put the usual sourdough and hollandaise to shame.
Poached eggs with hollandaise. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up breakfast and brunch during their lunchtime sitting, Fint is truly effortlessly fusing sophisticated interior with a laid-back dining setting.
Available from 10am every day, the reimagined poached eggs option comes with spinach and halloumi, whilst the meaty alternative Lamb Crumpet Benedict comes as braised lamb shank, homemade crunmpets, poached egg, lemon dill hollandaise and pickled apricot.
For those with a proper lunchtime appetite will be delighted to see larger portions of wholesome dishes like sweet potato and lentil soup and Nordic Gnocchi. The pan-toasted pasta is fresh with a slight crunch and served with an irrestible combination of sauerkraut, cavoio nero pumpkin seed cream and a choice of either coley or tofu.
Nordic gnocchi with coley. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The owners have tried to keep everything their customers loved about Fettle – meaning brunch is very much still a thing here, in a nod to the space’s old cafe credentials. This means that you don't just have to order a main meal, but a sweet treat and a hot drink too.
Previous desserts have included the passion fruit tart with praline and iced vanilla, affogato, or the house tiramisu – listed as a “Ms Sue with Mr Blacks coffee liqueur', but there's an ever-changing offering of cakes and other freshly baked treats to choose from.
The chocolate tea is a unique option that the rest of Leeds is yet to uncover and can be served as a post-dinner drink or the ideal complimentary dish to a hearty brunch meal.
Arriving in a loose leaf tea pot with a wooden strainer, the owners are experts in their tea and guide you through the process of collecting the woody leaves in the pot to pouring it into your teacup.
Chocolate tea. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Likewise, any menu item can be paired with plenty of wine options and guests are encouraged to speak to staff about how they can make their lunch a special occasion by introducing a glass of red or white to the table.
From 4.30pm Wednesday - Saturday, a dinnertime menu is served and this is where the true rebranding of sophisticated Scandi dining can be witnessed first-hand.
Expect all the same as your lunch service: knowledgable staff, fresh ingredients and delectable dishes with a focus on flavour, plus some exciting new dishes all served during the dinnertime sitting.
If you're looking for an intimate dining spot, whatever meal of the day, that serves up healthy but hearty dishes, we really can't think of a better spot.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
1st April 2022 
