If there's one thing we look forward to at an authentic Italian restaurant, it's the range of pizza dishes available. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a classic tomato base and delicious woodfired sourdough, but when it comes to pizza: we're always ready to try something new (and no, we don't mean pineapple).
When it comes to the pasta menu, we're equally as torn- but thanks to this new pizza, we'll never have to choose between our favourite varieties of carbs again.
Livin Italy on Granary Wharf have been our go-to Italian for quite some time. Dubbed 'the best Italian Restaurant in Leeds', their fresh menu has come straight from their motherland and consistently brings authentic Italian flavours to the city centre.
Now after a whirlwind year for the locally-owned eatery, the restaurant have brought a new addition to the menu that will be turning more heads than ever before.
Traditionally made from eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper, the age-old favourite of carbonara has made its way onto the menu for good reason- if anything we can't believe it's not come to Leeds sooner. A white-sauce base with creamy cheese, parmesan and cured pork meat makes up this tasty meal that will no-doubt have foodies flocking in by the masses.
Speaking about their new addition for 2022 and beyond, the owners said: "There are no limits when it comes to pizza toppings here at Livin' Italy! But if you do need a bit of inspiration... take a look at this carbonara pizza. You'll never have to choose between pizza or pasta again."
If you're ready to live life more Italian and try out the latest authentic cuisine, visit the Livin’ Italy website or head over to their restaurant on Granary Wharf.
Feature Image- Livin' Italy
Eats
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to 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 both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Sophie Smith -
30th December 2021 
