A new restaurant is opening inside the newly-opened social and co-working space Department by Leeds Docks.
Called Fearns, the new social dining concept got its name from the small parcel of land, known locally as Fearns Island, nearby to its home in Department. The land will house an allotment for the kitchen team to grow seasonal produce, herbs, and flora in the coming months.
Headed up by Jade Crawley, former Head Chef at The Tetley Bar and Kitchen and Eat Your Greens, the new foodie spot promises a brand new sustainable hospitality process that centres around local produce.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Fearns will be a new destination for every meal. The menu comes has been strewn together using Yorkshire ingredients, taking creative influence from kitchens across Europe.
Image: Supplied / Fearns
Think Yorkshire squeaky cheese and Longley Farm butter to create dishes like crispy oyster mushrooms with sage, polenta and a confit garlic sauce, and pulled lamb flatbread, pomegranate, celeriac, pea and marinated summer vegetables, made with a family recipe from Jade’s childhood.
Dinner here is designed around socialising so it's a real chance to explore the menu and order a range of small and larger plates to share amongst friends.
Wash it all down with a pint of Kirkstall Brewery, on draught of course, or choose from a range of organic wines, cocktails and premium soft drinks.
Weekends here will see a rotating selection of local DJs from Released Records, and ending the week with a lazy Sunday roast and board game with room for the whole family (and the dog) to sprawl out and take the last day of the week in their stride.
Image: Supplied / Fearns
Food wise, Sundays are all about the Yorkshire puds with a twist. Served with a choice of roast beef, pulled lamb shoulder with mint sauce, sausage roast, lemon pepper chicken thighs, seitan roast with mint sauce, or veggies with miso gravy. Add in the hasselback potatoes, spice roasted beetroot and squash, hispi cabbage and house gravy - sounds like we're in for a real treat.
Jade Crawley, Head Chef of Fearns said, “When developing the menus, I wanted to ensure sustainable processes and local produce were at the forefront. The menus are a celebration of all things Yorkshire, with nods to Leeds specifically throughout. It was important that the menus create talking points, from the interesting suppliers we use to the personal recipes I’ve incorporated from family cooking. We are a region with fruitful produce and amazing small businesses on our doorstep, and I am proud to showcase them at Fearns.”
Fearns will also be home to space for two ever-changing retail stores, for local talent to showcase their products through pop-ups. First up is independent wine retailer 2 Many Wines and sustainable clothing brand Commonsense Clothing.
Fearns opens on Friday 19 May 2023 from 7pm, with a launch party with drinks and DJ set from Release Records.
You can find out more, including how to join the launch party on the Fearns website here.
Feature Image - Supplied / Fearns
News
Inside Kerala Canteen – the world’s first Kerala tapas restaurant in Leeds city centre
This modern restaurant in the heart of Leeds is redefining how we enjoy Indian cuisine.
If you haven't already dined at Kerala Canteen, then you are sincerely missing out.
Offering South Indian dining like you've never seen before, Kerala Canteen is the world's first Kerala tapas restaurant where guests can enjoy multiple dishes in one sitting.
And it's not just us who thinks it's class, the restaurant has earned recognition as one of the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, ranked among the Top 3 Indian restaurants in Leeds & Yorkshire, and awarded Best Restaurant by North Magazine — cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Image: Supplied
So, how does it work? Kerala Canteen isn't your traditional curry house, but the concept means you get to try more of the menu in one go.
Guests are encouraged to start with small plates and move onto curry bowls before sharing a biryani per person and ending with a delicious dessert.
The kitchen is led by renowned chef Bobby Geetha, known for appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.
Image: Supplied
Working alongside him is Abdulkhader Allingal Siddique, whose Michelin-starred kitchen background and deep-rooted Kerala heritage promise authenticity.
Together, they make the perfect dream team in the kitchen.
There's a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu too so no one in your party has to miss out, with dishes like the chilli and tamarind cauliflower and gunpowder hasselback potatoes being standouts on the menu.
Visit on a Saturday and get involved in their iconic Bollywood Bottomless Brunch where for just £36 per person you can enjoy one bowl and one side alongside 90 minutes of free flowing drinks.
Image: Supplied
You can choose from prosecco, draught beer, cocktails, mocktails - trust us, the list is endless. And you can enjoy it all whilst bopping along to the best Bollywood beats. Find out more about the brunch here.
Visiting on a Sunday? You have to try their iconic T-Bone Sunday Roast experience, featuring a slow-braised T-bone steak finished in rich beef & bone marrow curry, paired with Yorkshire pudding and gunpowder potatoes. You'll never look at your mum's Sunday roast the same again.
Image: Supplied
Kerala Canteen also offers a private event space for your next big celebration that seats up to 100 guests with custom tapas menu and corporate dining packages available.
Located right next to Leeds Playhouse, it's the perfect spot for those visiting the city centre.
To book your table, take a look at Kerala Canteen's website - thank us later.
Dogs Trust Leeds is looking to find a ‘forever’ home for their loneliest dog
Clementine Hall
Meet Edie, the lovely Shar Pei at Dogs Trust Leeds who has had 41 first dates at but still hasn't found her 'forever' home.
Edie is a beautoful 7-year-old Shar Pei who has been waiting to find her forever home longer than any other dog at Dogs Trust Leeds.
She joined the charity back in 2020, after the death of her owner.
Edie has spent over 4,000 days at the charity and has been adopted 41 times, but is still yet to find her forever home.
We're not crying, you are.
Edie is described as an 'amazing dog' who can be'very shy initially but with a little time and plenty of treats she will soon be nudging you for a bit of fuss!'.
Image: Dogs Trust Leeds
Dogs Trust Leeds states: "She’s also worried by other dogs, but she’s proven that in a home where she won’t see them up close, she is a dream. She's been for sleepovers to her handlers home and she was the perfect house guest! Very relaxed, fully housetrained, and happy to just chill out. We know that in a peaceful adult only home where she’ll be the only pet she will thrive."
"Edie is the most loving and gentle natured dog and has come such a long way since first arriving in our care. Her handlers all adore her due to her zest for life. She's super affectionate and loves plenty of snuggles!
"She enjoys getting out for walkies or playing with her toys and she's absolutely smashed her training. Off-lead playtime is another favourite hobby for her so she will need to have a secure garden to play in. So if you’re looking for a very loving companion, you have a quiet and predictable routine and have time to gradually settle her in, add our Edie to your favourites now!"
If you'd like to welcome Edie into your home, then find out more here.
Sophie Smith -
10th May 2023 
