The Leeds foodie scene is blessed with so many independent chefs, but we've only come across one that served deep fried pizzas.
Luigi's Street Food is just one brand that has taken over Trinity Kitchen, but their Italian speciality dishes are proving popular with just about anyone that walks up to their pop-up van.
Known as a panzerotto, the traditional Italian dish is deep fried pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and a choice of toppings- and they're going down a treat.
Available until January, the best of Luigi's menu is available in the Trinity Kitchen inside the Trinity shopping centre.
On the menu are a range of deep-fried calzone dishes with toppings like cheese and tomato, pepperoni, chicken and more.
The Arancini is also on the menu, with mozzarella sticks and a Birra Moretti is never more than a contactless swish on the payment machine to wash it all down with.
Luigi's even have their own meal deal: a pizza with a combination of soft drinks or alcoholic lager for those ready to unwind. Priced at £10 and £12 respectively, there aren't many places in the city centre that you can get a full calzone and a drink for under £15, so it's well worth taking advantage of.
Specialising in smokehouse classics using free-range and locally-reared produce, everything on The Pickled Porker menu is smoked for a minimum of 12 hours over applewood, oak and hickory wood chips for maximum flavour.
Nelly’s Barn, meanwhile, will be cooking up 28-day, dry-aged beef burgers with double-tasty cheddar – whilst their vegan kitchen offers guests plant-based southern fried chick’n with gravy and sauces to give an extra zing.
Poutine heroes Spuds and Bros will also be back by popular demand, serving their Christmas special The Brother Christmas Poutine, alongside their traditional range with a variety of different toppings and the option of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian gravy.
To put Luigi's deep fried calzone to the test, make sure to get over to Trinity Kitchen before the end of January 2022, or find their speciality menu at the likes of Northern Refectory, Chow Down and other bestselling foodie hotspots around the city.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
11th December 2021 
