Chow Down is back for the winter season- and this year, there’s more opportunity to get yourself down to Temple Arches and warm yourself besides the fire in no time.
From Thursday 10 November, you’ll be able to book your seat and get in the festive spirit in no time. There’s cosy corners inside the tipi with blankets and heaters that’ll keep you warm even when the snow starts falling.
And that’s only the beginning. There’s a brand new Hutte Bavarian Beer Hall, perfect for watching the Qatar World Cup 2022 with a stein in hand and chomping on one of the unlimited foodie options; and there’s a whole host of activities (Bingo Lingo, Comedy Club and Drag Brunch to name a few) to get stuck in to.
Plus, there’s a brand new reservation system that allows free entry into Chow Down.
Image: Chow Down
How to book a table
After listening to customer feedback and acknowledging that the cost of living crisis is making it difficult for us all to get out and about, the tables at Chow Down are now available to reserve for day-to-day use completely free of charge.
All you need to do is go to the Chow Down website and book your preferred time. There’s no deposit required, but make sure to rock up within fifteen minutes of your booking time. There will also be ample opportunity to walk-in, but it’s advised, especially during busier times, to book ahead to guarantee your seat.
Image: Chow Down
Whilst this exciting new development means you can visit Chow Down without grabbing a paid ticket for after-work drinks and weekends in the Beer Hall, you’ll still need to grab a ticket for the events and activities being hosted within the grounds.
Watching the World Cup
We really can’t think of a better place to find out if it’s coming home this year. Grab yourself a seat inside the new German-style Hutte Bavarian Beer Hall where you’ll find beer by the stein and huge TV screens so you won’t miss a second of the action.
The Hutte Bavarian is set to host all the England and Wales games from the get-go, plus every game from the quarter finals onwards. Tickets are priced at £5 per person, or you can reserve a full table of eight with table serving included.
It wouldn’t be a Leeds’ foodie highlight if there wasn’t an appearance from The Savvy Baker- and we can’t wait to get our hands on her brownies at Chow Down. Expect all the sweet treats from her two cafes, including the signature brownie selection, plus exciting new additions like warmed cookie dough, waffles and milkshakes.
Image: The Savvy Baker
Bastards Bistro
The local pop-up kitchen well and truly understood the assignment for the Christmas season. The themed menu for Chow Down this year has festive fries and juicy beef burgers, and (our favourite) huge pots of dipping gravy to keep you well fed, toasty warm and hangover free for as long as you’re sticking fistfuls of fries, or just dunking your burgers straight in there.
Image: Chow Down
The Middle Feast
The Middle Feast is making a return to Chow Down after a successful summer stint down at the arches and bringing back a true feast for the senses. We’re talking BBQ Chicken Shish Kebabs, Mezze dishes big and small, and some seriously drool-worthy halloumi bites that will keep you going back again and again for more tasty treats.
Image: Chow Down
Guest pop-ups
There will also be a selection of rotating food trucks so no matter how often you visit, you can always grab a slice of something new. The tasty line-up includes the likes of Mexican favourites Sabroso Street and Luigi’s Street Food, which has been rated by no less than Yorkshire foodie YouTuber, Danny Malin from Rate My Takeaway.
Familiar names from the city centre like Meat Stack, Mans Markets, and Trinity Kitchen vendors Eat Like A Greek and Little Red Food Cluck! will all make an appearance throughout the two month season.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Additional foodie offerings will be supplied from Igloo Pizza, Hoi Polloi Street Kitchen, Oi Dumplings, Niko's Comfort Kitchen, Hoi Polloi Street Kitchen, Korean Grub Club, Bento Box, Tikka Chance On Me, Bento Box and Heffe Mojo.
Of course you’re going to need some festive drinks to wash all this down with, and you’ll find every boozy hot chocolate, mulled wine and cider, craft beer or cocktail offer you could wish for from the main bar.
There’s nothing like getting your nearest and dearest together for a drink, but with the return of the Curling Club, there’s no reason to get bored with your company. For first dates, co-worker networking nights or just a laugh with your mates, this huge curling set (not unlike shuffleboard, and a lot more exciting) will have your teams showing their competitive side in no time.
Image: Chow Down
Breakfast with Santa
This one’s for the whole family. The big man in red will be making no less than three visits to the Winter Village this year with gifts for all the children on the nice list. Grab a seat in the cosy tipis and hang out with Santa, plus there will be a full breakfast served by Bastards Bistro, juice for the kids and North Star coffee for the grown ups (or whatever you fancy from the bar).
Bingo Lingo
Bingo is back at Chow Down and if you’re brave enough, you’ll be looking for more than a full house here. Picture a night out with lip sync battles, dance offs and hosts that will truly put you through your paces to win six feet teddy bears and a whole host of prizes.
Image: Chow Down
Drag Brunch
Over the festive season there’s going to be three Drag Brunch specials, each with their own bragging rights. From a hoedown to burlesque dancing and Christmas themed performances, every brunch to date has sold out- and the Winter Village’s are bound to do the same
You can find the Drag Brunch at Chow Down Winter Village on the following dates:
Saturday 12 November 2022: Drag Brunch Hoedown
Sunday 27 November 2022: Burlesque Drag Brunch
Sunday 18 December: Christmas Drag Brunch
Image: Chow Down
Reserving your seats
So with so many exciting events and opportunities to get into the festive spirit, what are you waiting for? Booking ticketed events, or just reserving a table for a normal night at Temple Arches is as simple as heading over to the Chow Down website and choosing your allotted time.
Chow Down will be open every Thursday - Sunday from Thursday 10 November 2022 right up until New Years Eve.
Your complete guide to Sunday roast dinners in Leeds.
As the weather starts to turn a little chillier, by the end of the week we're craving Yorkshire puddings and gravy over salads and picky bits.
So that can only mean one thing, Sunday roast season is on the horizon and we're here to make sure you know where you can get a banging one in and around Leeds.
From the city centre to the suburbs, here is your ultimate guide to the very best Sunday roast dinners in and around Leeds.
Banyan
City Square, Leeds City Centre
Image: Supplied
Okay, if you're looking to really get stuck in then the Banyan Bottomless Roast is the only answer.
Choose from beef, chicken or veggie and you'll get unlimited Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and gravy. Yes you read that right, you can have as many Yorkshire puddings as you want.
You can also add bottomless drinks to make it the ultimate Sunday celebration, and when it's priced at £41.95 it really is a no brainer.
This iconic pub on North Street is pretty famous for its brilliant roast dinners. You can choose from all the meats from beef and porchetta to chicken supreme and even a vegan roast, they also do a great Bloody Mary if you're feeling a tad ropey from the night before.
Ox Club
Headrow, Leeds City Centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Featured in the Michelin guide and the Good Food Guide, the Ox Club’s fire cooking is legendary in Leeds. When it comes to Sunday roasts, they don’t disappoint. Think roast rump cap of beef with bone marrow gravy, wild garlic and sage porchetta with smoked trotter and fennel gravy, or roast breast of guinea fowl and confit leg with tarragon gravy – then tell us you’re not hungry.
As for the non-meat eaters, there’s coal-roasted celeriac with pearl barley risotto and truffle gravy, or a truffle cheese pie served with comte, and truffle gravy. Divine.
Stuzzi
Merrion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You've most likely been here for their Italian small plates, but during the winter period they serve up an exceptional roast which you don't want to miss. Paired with an Aperol spritz, that's a Sunday well spent.
Woodside
Crown Point Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds/ Woodside
One of Leeds' best new openings are making a roast which will get you wishing it was Sunday sooner. Kick things off with oysters before tucking into beef rump cap with smoked mash and three cheese broccoli gratin. Yum.
The Adelphi
1-3 Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ
On Hunslet Road, this historic Leeds boozer has been serving up the goods since 1901, and its Sunday menu is certainly worth shouting about.
The sharing roast comes loaded with chicken, rump of beef and porchetta, alongside all the extras and trimmings because no Sunday roast would be complete without them.
The Highland Laddie
38 Cavendish St, Leeds LS3 1LY
Officially named one of the best pubs in Britain, The Highland Laddie don't mess about when it comes to a Sunday roast.
Opt for a choice of rump or half chicken cooked over open fire, served with all the trimmings of course. But be warned, you'll have to book in advance for this one.
The Cut & Craft
King Edward Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Cut & Craft, which is relatively new to Leeds, opened in 2022 and has made a name for itself for its opulent decor and steak offering.
Their roast in particular has got the people of Leeds talking, opt for the sirloin of beef with all the trimmings or the show stopping Sunday Sharing Roast which features beef, a half roasted chicken and crispy pork belly. Because one meat just isn’t enough.
Empire Cafe
Fish Street
Image: The Empire Cafe
Known for their incredible open fire cooking and rotisserie chicken, you just know they're going to whip up an excellent Sunday roast and guess what? They absolutely do.
Think roast rump of beef with chicken fat potatoes, it's unlikely you'll find something better than this in the city.
Cheesy Living Co. Sunday Fondue
Leeds Corn Exchange, Oakwood and Pudsey
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We cannot recommend The Cheesy Living Co. enough for many reasons, but this Sunday roast is next level. Expect a huge pot of gooey Swiss cheese with all your fave roast dinner staples like rosemary potatoes dusted in paprika, half-roasted garlic and of course, Yorkshire puds! You can build your roast selection as you see fit to make up the ultimate roast dinner, adding a board of Lishman’s cold-cut roast ham and beef; honey-roasted carrots and parsnips; stuffing balls or even a DIY cauliflower cheese offering to dip into the Alpine-style fondue pot- and it’s delicious.
Crowd of Favours
Harper Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: Crowd of Favours
You can't get more cosy than The Crowd of Favours, think roaring fires, board games and comfy seats in candlelight. Can you think of a nicer setting to get stuck into a delicious roast? We certainly can't.
Blackhouse
East Parade, Leeds city centre
If you're looking for stellar meat, this is the place to go to.
Choose from lemon and black pepper half-roasted chicken; sage and garlic rubbed pork loin or roast beef, served pink or well, with steamed greens, beef gravy, rosemary carrots, roasties Cumberland stuffing and, of course, a Yorkshire pud. Those looking for a meat-free selection will be delighted to spot the spiced squash wellington on the menu too, with roasted tiny totes, spinach and porcini gravy.
Every Sunday for a full 90 minutes enjoy bottomless Prosecco, gin, pink gin, vodka, rum, seasonal cocktails and beer with your roast. Now that’s what we call a Sunday Funday.
Choose from Roast Topside Beef, Roast Chicken Breast or Zucchini & Cashew Bake with roast potatoes, mash potatoes, a huge Yorkshire pudding, parsnips, carrots, cabbage and the best part - bottomless gravy.
Midnight Bell
Water Lane, Holbeck
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Another great pub Sunday roast can be found at The Midnight Bell, serving up a delicious lamb rump on special occasions, along with roast beef, belly pork and even plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too- but every week the options are just what you need for your weekend meat and carb fix.
Also, plates come with all trimmings and they're an excellent hangover cure (just incase you're a little delicate today).
Lamb and Flag
Church Row, Leeds City Centre
Image: Lamb and Flag
Lamb and Flag has to be up there with one of the best Sunday Roast dinners in Leeds. You can choose from beef, chicken, pork, lamb or a vegan nut roast... would it be greedy to have them all? And just look at the size of those Yorkshire puddings, says it all.
Offering a good mix of veggie, fish and meat dishes, Shear’s Yard has one of the best-looking Sunday roast menus in town. Think truffled leek and potato wellington, tikka marinated cauliflower, or overnight-braised shoulder of pork, and we think you get the idea.
The restaurant has only got a sample menu listed, but trust that you can get a solid roast with all the trimmings or a more adventurous main – with plenty of good options for all dietary requirements.
Whitelock’s Ale House
Turks Head Yard, Leeds City Centre
Image: Whitelocks Ale House
Often hailed as Leeds’ oldest pub, Whitelock’s also serves up a cracking Sunday roast dinner. Whether you’re after a roast beef topside, leg of lamb or pork loin, trust you will find them all here served with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy.
Whitelocks has one of the most loved Sunday roasts in Leeds- there’s no doubt about that. So the fact that their nut roast is vegan friendly and they’re willing to cater to those with a plant-based diet is just another reason to love the cosy pub.
Cauliflower cheese can be added on as an extra, and as for veggies and vegans there’s a lovely nut roast option – also served with all the trimmings.
The Botanist
Outside Trinity Shopping Centre, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Botanist
Choose from Roast Sirloin of Beef, Roast Chicken, Pot Roast Lamb Shoulder, Slow Roast Honey Glazed Pork Belly or Celeriac, Mushroom and Pearl Barley Wellington. All roasts served with maple glazed carrots, roast potatoes, minted greens and gravy. They really take 'comes with all the trimmings' seriously, with loads of sharing sides to choose from.
The Whitehall
Wellington Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Whitehall
You can choose from Roast Beef, Roast Chicken, Pork Belly or a veggie or vegan Nut Roast. All served with roast carrot, cauliflower cheese, green beans, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding & gravy (lotssss of gravy). If you haven’t already, you need to swing by Whitehall for your next Sunday roast it’s truly 10/10.
Dakota
Russell Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: Dakota
You can choose from Sirloin of beef, belly of pork or breast of chicken, and you can bet it's cooked to perfection. Served with Duck Fat Potatoes, Maple Glazed Root Vegetables and Yorkshire Pudding with lots lof additional sides you can add. For all you veggies you can a delicious Nut Roast with onion gravy with Roast Potatoes & Maple Glazed Root Vegetables.
Gaucho
Park Row, Leeds City Centre
Image: Gaucho
For a truly indulgent Sunday roast, you can’t go wrong with Gaucho. The Argentinian steakhouse is known for its melt-in-the-mouth, wet-aged steaks, but it also serves up a killer Sunday roast with bottomless meat and wine every weekend.
If you’re coming here, it makes sense to go for the beef – sourced specially from premium Black-Angus cattle and bred at hand-selected farms in the southern Argentinian province of La Pampa. Cooked in its own dripping, each cut comes topped with crispy roast potatoes, glazed carrots, buttered greens, perfectly stacked Yorkshire puddings and lashings of gravy.
Pieminister
Boar Lane, Leeds City Centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Sunday best - any classic pie & mash, two Yorkshire puddings, garlic & rosemary baby roasties, carrot & swede mash, a pork scratching, a pig in blanket & gravy. You couldn't really ask for more could you? And of course you can make it veggie or vegan!
Browns
Headrow, Leeds City Centre
Image: Browns
Choose between sirloin of beef, half roast chicken or belly pork, all served with seasonal veggies and crispy Yorkshire puds- this'll go down a treat with a glass of something red or white.
In the suburbs...
For those looking for a Sunday roast near your home.
The Three Swords
New Side Road, Horsforth
Taking the classic Sunday roast concept and igniting it with traditional Indian spices and flavours, like vegetables marinated in tandoori and slow-cooked beef in Goan spices. Veggies will be pleased to hear you can get a flaky paneer puffy pasty which tastes simply divine with the thick spicy nihari gravy.
Of course, you can still finish off with a classic sticky toffee pudding, because no roast would be complete without it.
Bavette might just be one of Leeds' most famous restaurants, having only been here for a short while but in that time having scooped up all of the awards imaginable. And rightly so, because it's just so brilliant.
Choose from Delica squash and hazelnut filo parcel, Slow roast pork belly with apple sauce, Bavette steak with horsradish cream or the 800g Côte de Boeuf to share between two and four, all served with Yorkshire puds, roasties, hispi cabbage, celeriac puree, leek gratin and generous helpings of gravy.
The Thornhill
18 Town Gate, Calverley, Pudsey
From roaring fires and comforting pub grub, you’ll find all this and more at The Thornhill in Calverley. And not only that, but it’s got a cracking history behind it too. The Thornhill was built over a whopping 400 years ago and was originally used as a coach house.
From juicy burgers and zingy tacos to your classic roast dinner with all the trimmings (just look at that cauli cheese), there’s a dish for everyone to enjoy in an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
The Mustard Pot, Chapel Allerton
Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton
Image: Mustard Pot
This Chapel Allerton eatery has one of the most popular roasts in the city – and for good reason. Every weekend, you’ll find a choice of 12-hour Yorkshire beef rump, Yorkshire rare breed pork loin with crackling, or a Mustard Pot nut roast served with giant Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, mixed seasonal veg, creamy leeks and gravy.
The menu’s pretty big, too, so if you don’t fancy a roast you can tuck into other pub favourites like fish and chips, lentil shepherdess pie, beef burger or steak.
The Cardigan Arms, Burley
Kirkstall Road, Burley
Image: Cardigan Arms
On the menu here besides the showstopper of a Yorkshire, you'll find the likes of slow roast belly pork stuffed with pork loin, fennel seeds, herbs and garlic; beef topside served pink or Mushroom Wellington for those looking for a meat-free alternative.
Served 12-5pm, make sure to book in advance for this one- we reckon it'll be a sellout option!
Heaney and Mill, Headingley
Image: Heaney and Mill
Choose from Dry Aged Roast Beef, Roast Corn-Fed Chicken Supreme, 8oz Roast Lamb Rump or a vegetarian Leek & Cheese Wellington. All served with with rosemary & garlic potatoes, truffled mash potatoes, cauliflower cheese gratin, selection of seasonal green vegetables, traditional Yorkshire pudding, carrot puree & red wine gravy.
You can choose from Sunday Pork Belly, Hand-carved Turkey Breast, Sirloin of Beef or for a veggie option there's Candied Vegetable Roast. All roasts are served with ruffled beef dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, thyme-roasted carrots, broccoli and honey-roasted parsnips The best part? you can have as much gravy as you like!
Square and Compass, Harrogate
Image: Square and Compass
Serving up an irresistible choice of three meats every single Sunday, Square and Compass near Harrogate has a roaring fire for cold snowy days and an incredible outdoor fire pit for weekends basking in the sunshine- given the unpredictable weather this week, our shoutout goes to a bar that can offer you a comfy seat by the fire, whatever the weather.
The Fat Badger, Harrogate
Image: The Fat Badger
Choose from Roast rump cap of beef or roast loin of pork with stuffing, both served with seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, creamy mash & gravy. And if you still have room you have to try the sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce & vanilla ice cream.
Feature Image- The Lamb and Flag
News
Behind the doors of the spectacular £750k Yorkshire home with stunning Victorian interiors
Clementine Hall
Fancy a look inside a beautiful Victorian home that's just come on the market in Yorkshire?
The only thing is, you’ll need the small matter of £750k before you can call it yours.
Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have that money just sitting plum in their bank accounts right now, but if like us, like a good nosey then allow us to introduce you to this absolute stunner.
Take a look behind the grand front door of one of the finest properties on the Yorkshire housing market has to offer at the moment.
Images: Rightmove
Gads Hill is a distinguished Victorian home built in Yorkshire stone in 1882 and extends to over 3,700 sq ft.
As you can see, the house retains plenty of its period details, including intricate decorative plasterwork, stained glass, restored redwood floorboards and six fireplaces. Yes...SIX.
Images: Rightmove
Located in Calderdale, the property also has far-reaching views across the Upper Calder Valley towards Stoodley Pike and the Saddleworth Moors. Bliss.
Inside, its two grand reception rooms include a drawing room with a wood-burning stove and cocktail bar, alongside an impressive dining room with space for up to 20 guests. Just imagine the parties you could throw in there.
There's also a spacious, light-filled kitchen overlooking the gardens, complete with bespoke cabinetry, quartz worktops and a central island.
Images: Rightmove
Upstairs, the gigantic principal bedroom boasts panoramic views across the gardens and valley, exposed ceiling beams and even a freestanding cast-iron bath.
There are three further double bedrooms, beautifully finished bathrooms and an additional attic room, with plenty of original character carried throughout the house.
And of course a special mention must go to the collection of wallpaper used, Laura Ashley could never.
Images: Rightmove
To top it all off, the property has its very own summer house with its own bar, so you can entertain all-year-long.
Like what you see? Well thankfully, the property is now on the market and could very well be yours.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy at the Rightmove link here.
Sophie Smith -
4th November 2022 
