Eats

This new cocktail bar serves up dreamy holiday cocktails inside a pastel-coloured bar

Cocktails come with bubbles, Haribos and even Pancetta.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 18th March 2022

These cocktails are the summertime treat you've been waiting for.

With temperatures reaching a respectable fourteen degrees and only two downpours this week, Leeds is slowly transitioning into the spring/summer season.

It might not quite be t-shirt weather, but we're getting there.

Bringing that warm summer, cocktails in sunshine feeling into March is Pastel, a brand-new cocktail bar in Kirkgate.

Having only been open for just one week, this dreamy bar is the perfect escape from the everyday that'll have you feeling like you're basking somewhere far warmer than Leeds.

Image: Pastel Leeds

Rattan chairs, pineapple tables and decorative features in pink, mint, cream and a teal green: this pastel paradise is going to be an Insta-worthy bar that brings that summer feel-good feeling to the everyday.

Located in the beating heart of Leeds metropolis, Kirkgate, Pastel is combining the euphoric feeling of day drinking with the playful romanticism of evening tipple.

The cocktail menu is small, but considered- and it's full of unique combinations we're yet to see anywhere else in the UK.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

The Pastel Fizz, for instance, is a delectable concoction of Bacardi Raspberry, raspberry liqueur, fresh lime juice with cream, egg white, soda and topped with ‘Pastel Dust’ that gives it a rather frothy appearance.

Even those still recovering from the night before will struggle to turn this refreshing cocktail down- it's creamy, refreshing and goes down far too easily.

Read More: An incredible new cocktail bar serving Pancetta and Haribo drinks is moving into Kirkgate

Image: The Hoot Leeds

The Curd Your Enthusiasm cocktail was also a standout favourite for The Hoot Leeds. Portobello Road Gin, fresh lemon juice with lemon Curd and topped with pancetta and a single Haribo Egg. Yes, eggs and meat on a cocktail: not for the faint-hearted, or vegetarians for that matter.

This one combines sweet, sour and salty into a short, crushed-ice cocktail: clashing flavours that definitely shouldn't be mixed together, but provide a tangy taste that we couldn't stop talking about all night long. Plus, the pancetta and egg makes a great snack to curb any midnight food cravings.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

True to its 'Cocktails and Good Times' slogan, the self-proclaimed Good Times cocktail lives up to its namesake- you'll really struggle to keep the giggles in after being served this one.

The combination of Bandarra Al Fresco, Grapefruit Bitters, Artisan Yuzu Tonic and Prosecco is a cherry red tall drink that comes with a side of bubbles from the bartender. Hilarious, unexpected and just plain fun: the bartender quite literally will blow bubbles from a machine your way when you order this one- magical.

@thehootleeds PASTEL 🍸 #leeds #uniofleeds #leedsuni #fyp #foryoupage #learnontiktok #placestovisit #yorkshire #cocktails30sec #traveltiktok #trendingsong ♬ Summer day - TimTaj

Read More: This bottomless brunch in Leeds comes with two hours of unlimited Aperol Spritz cocktail trees

If you're looking for an intimate Friday night spot to grab some cocktails and manifest your next trip overseas: this beautiful blue building in Kirkgate is the ideal spot to get in holiday-mode.

Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.

Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.

The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.

The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.

Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.

It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.

This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.

Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.

“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”

The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds



Eats

Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.

Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.

Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in. 

Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.

Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.

The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.

While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.

Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.

The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.

If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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