There's a new Scandi-style restaurant in Leeds that we've got our eye for brunch, lunch and probably dinner too.
From the team behind Fettle comes a new opening, 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're really excited to see them back, albeit in a new guise.
Inside Flint, formerly known as Fettle, which has reopened following a period of closure / Image: Fint
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.
That said, 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.
On the brunch menu there's plenty for vegans as well as carnivores, with dishes like the vegan benedict sitting proudly alongside a braised duck benedict and pain perdu - a pan-fried dish of spiced maple custard-dipped sourdough, strawberry compote and vegan vanilla ice cream.
The vegan benedict at Fint, comprised of a crumpet topped with crushed peas, roasted golden beetroot, smoked tofu and vegan hollandaise / Image: Fint
As for lunch, dishes like 'strangle the priest' (a nod to the hand-twisted Italian pasta, strozzapreti) promise the ultimate light summer plate of pasta, combining charred broccoli, courgette and lemon with mint, mace and hazelnuts.
Elsewhere, other tempting midday options on the brunch menu include their warm cannellini bean salad and sweet potato gnocchi, which comes served with seed cream, crushed peas, rocket oil and garden pesto. If you ask the team, they'll be more than happy to recommend a good wine to pair with it from their list too.
An ever-popular choice in the day, Fint also serves an evening menu from Thursday to Saturday starting from 4.30 pm - offering up some gorgeous-looking dishes, like their beurre noisette haddock, that use the very best locally sourced produce the owners can get their hands on.
Priced at two courses for £25, with additional courses just £5 more, the evening menu offers brilliant value for the quality of food on offer.
With starters like oak roasted salmon with cauliflower cream and broad beans, and miso aubergine served with almonds and a cherry tomato marmalade, anyone heading down is in for a real treat.
Mains, meanwhile, include a vegan-friendly portobello mushroom kiev and a braised duck leg dish served with preserved blackberries, celeriac gratin and crushed peas for the ultimate indulgence.
As for dessert? Think passion fruit tart with praline and iced vanilla, affogato, or the house tiramisu - listed as a "Ms Sue with Mr Blacks coffee liqueur.' Yum.
Fint's passion fruit tart with praline and iced vanilla / Image: Fint
Sharing the news of the change on their website prior to their reopening last month, owners Simon and Kamil wrote:
"After a long consideration, the last 17 months left us with only one option and that was to close Fettle and create something new."We’re sure you’ll love what we’ve created in Fettle’s place. You can still find us at 73 Great George Street," they added.
Fint is now open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am. Go down and show them some love - you won't be disappointed.
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."
Georgina Pellant -
26th August 2021 
