A new street food-style supper club is bringing pina colada fried chicken (and actual Pina Coladas) to Leeds for the night.
The brainchild of Leeds chef Robert Hallas, the exciting new drinking and dining event at Temple Arches combines food and booze with some brilliant-sounding results.
Called crEATe, next week's event will showcase a playful four-course taster menu with Rob of Bastards Bistro cooking all his dishes in booze before pairing them with an alcoholic drink.
“My initial concept was ‘food cooked with booze’ so dishes would be cooked with some kind of alcohol and it would be paired with an alcoholic drink," he told Leeds List.
Bastards Bistro
“We’ve got Pina Colada fried chicken, that’ll be served with a Pina Colada cocktail - and a few more surprises.
Alongside the pina colada fried chicken, diners will also get to try Hallas's spin on the pot noodle and a unique take of a greasy spoon full English breakfast (which, spoiler alert, will look nothing like the real thing but promises to carry "all the flavours").
There'll also be live art from a graffiti artist with 3D mapping and music from local DJs.
“You’ll basically get a 360-degree view of the cooking, live art and watching the DJs play,” Hallas said.
Hallas has only been cheffing for three years, having previously worked in bars and nightclubs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMRRzrLn4DK/
Bastards Bistro first launched in 2019 but things really kicked off for him in lockdown when he started his own takeaway business - hiring in furloughed friends to help and borrowing a cafe’s kitchen to sling kebabs, pizzas, scotch eggs and deep-fried lasagne balls.
Now his friends have gone back to work, he's hired two new members of staff to work alongside him at Bastards Bistro - which has just officially taken over the kitchen downstairs at The Hedonist Bar on a permanent basis.
Tickets for crEATe start at £50pp, with an additional £20 for a drinks flight. It will take place at Temple Arches from 5pm on Wednesday, 26th May. You can get yours here.
To keep up to date with more of Rob's projects, follow him on Instagram.
News
Leeds railway station reopening delayed AGAIN due to problems with lift
The highly anticipated opening of Leeds City Station's new entrance has been further delayed.
The £46.1m Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway has been in the works since 2022, with the original target for completion set for autumn 2025.
That date subsequently slipped to summer 2026, then September, then October, and now...well who knows?
This time, Leeds City Council have confirmed that the problem is to do with the lifts that connect New Station Street and Bishopgate.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These lifts will allow the ever so turbulent taxi rank to move from the temporary arrangement at the rear of the station to its new home on Bishopgate Street.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said on the recent setback: "Having opened the pavement along Bishopgate Street and sections of New Station Street, unfortunately we have encountered an issue with one of the lifts, which is delaying essential safety testing from being completed.
"We are working to resolve this as soon as possible so we can open the final parts of the scheme imminently."
When it does finally open, there should be plenty to like. The scheme is designed to make the area around the station more pedestrian-friendly, with improved public space, wider walking routes, better cycling facilities, a new cycle hub and step-free access between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street.
The taxi rank will also move to Bishopgate Street, with a new shelter and kerbside boarding.
So, after years of barriers, diversions, temporary arrangements, engineering works and at least one deeply controversial letter (lest we forget 'Welcome to Leeps') the end is apparently in sight.
We'll keep you updated with any updates and opening date of the new station, but we wouldn't hold your breath if the last couple of months are anything to go by.
Leeds United to pay tribute to fan who tragically died after medical emergency at match
Clementine Hall
Leeds United have issued a statement regarding their tribute to a fan who has sadly passed away.
Colin Westby was watching the game against Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday 18 October when suddenly he became ill and was taken to hospital.
The 68-year-old was then placed into a medically induced coma but after a period of 'unresponsiveness', the difficult decision was made to stop life support.
Colin was a huge Leeds United fan, and attended matches for over 50 years as a Season Ticket Holder of the club.
Leeds United have issued a statement showing their support, and have confirmed they will be holding a tribute to Colin.
The statement posted on Leeds United's social media is as follows: "Leeds United are heartbroken to learn of the passing of supporter Colin Westby at the age of 68.
"Colin suffered a medical emergency ahead of our Premier League fixture with Manchester United on Sunday 18 October at Elland Road.
"After being transferred to hospital, he was placed into a medically induced coma and sadly following a period of unresponsiveness, the decision was made to withdraw life support.
"Colin was a long-standing Season Ticket Holder at the club, attending matches for over 50 years. The thoughts of everyone at Leeds United are with Colin’s family and friends at this sad time.
"We will pay tribute to Colin in the 68th minute of our next Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur, on Saturday 7 November."
Of course, in true Leeds United fashion, fellow flans flocked to the comments to pay their respects to Colin and express their support for his family.
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2021 
