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.
Domo is ready to open its doors and sun-drenched terrace this Friday.
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Opening this Friday 5 June, we had a peek inside and let us tell you, it's even better than we imagined.
Image: The Hoot LeedsImage: The Hoot LeedsImage: The Hoot LeedsImage: The Hoot Leeds
First off, the interior is just drop dead gorgeous.
From the moment you step inside you feel as though you've been whisked away to an Italian island, the walls are lined with hundreds of booze bottles and on each table you'll find beautifully hand-painted plates ready to be adorned with delicious food.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Every corner is dotted with antique trinkets, and we already know the stretching terrace will be the place to be when the sun comes out.
Now, onto the food.
From small plates made for sharing to hearty bowls of seafood pasta, everything is made with the freshest ingredients and made entirely in-house.
You could do a lot worse than plonking yourself on the terrace with mates, ordering a selection of their cocktails and tucking into a heaping plate of fried calamari and prawns or a carefully curated plate of Sardinian cured meats and cheeses.
They also serve pizzas and salads, all accompanied by a brilliant wine and cocktail list. Whether you're after a long lunch, celebrating an occasion with a slap up meal or fancy a few nibbles - Domo can cater to all.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Domo co-founder, Sarah Elliott-Busceddu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to finally open the doors and welcome people into Domo Leeds. From day one, our vision has been to create a space where everyone feels welcome and somewhere that brings people together in the true spirit of Sardinian hospitality.
“Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a relaxed catch-up over drinks after work, or a big family celebration, we’ve designed Domo to feel warm, inclusive and full of life. We can’t wait for people in Leeds to experience not just the food and drinks, but the atmosphere and sense of community that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
A much-loved Leeds coffee shop is celebrating 15 years in the city with £1.50 coffees
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds' best-loved coffee destinations, Laynes Cafe, is marking 15 years in the city - and is saying thank you with £1.50 coffees.
When? This Wednesday 3 June.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
It's practically a Leeds institution at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
To celebrate an impressive 15 years in the city, this Wednesday 3 June they'll be selling £1.50 coffees all-day.
Not only that, Laynes will be rolling out a brand refresh with Saul Studios, refreshing its daytime menu (including what Dave reckons might be the best hash browns in the world…maybe), and continuing to grow Laynes Bakery, which launched in 2023 and now supplies a growing list of independent cafes and delis across Leeds.
Dave Olejnik, founder of Laynes Cafe, said: "We never really got to celebrate being 10 — covid had other ideas — so 15 feels like the one to do properly. When I opened Laynes in 2011, the aim was to create somewhere that really cared about coffee, quality and hospitality. To be celebrating 15 years now is incredibly special. Leeds has changed so much in that time, and it's been amazing to see the city's independent food and drink scene grow and flourish. We're really proud to have been part of that journey.
"Rather than mark it with one big day, we wanted to celebrate across the whole year — kicking off with £1.50 coffees on June 3rd as a thank you to everyone who's kept us going. This next chapter for Laynes is a bit of a refresh with Saul Studios, an updated menu with quite possibly the best hash browns in the world, and the bakery continuing to grow. Feels like a great way to celebrate where we've come from while continuing to evolve."
Sophie Smith -
1st April 2022 
