Serving up fresh, nutritious and fully customisable poke bowls - your newest lunchtime spot is landing in the city centre.
When the sun is shining and you're out and about in the city, there's nothing better than a refreshing and healthy lunch to keep you fuelled up for the day.
And Leeds' newest opening, Honi Poke, can provide just the thing. And just in time for summer.
But what is a poke bowl you may ask? Well, allow us to fill you in.
Images: The Manc Eats
Poke, meaning 'to slice or cut' in Hawaiian refers to chunks of fresh, raw fish which is tossed over sticky rice and vegetables and topped with umami-packed sauces. Delicious.
If you’re new to the world of poke bowls (which you soon won't be), these pacific delights are fully customisable and you can choose from a variety of options like tuna, salmon, hamachi, octopus or even tofu.
Image: Honi Poke
Honi Poke pride themselves on using the best ingredients, using responsibly sourced and sustainably caught fish which will transport you immediately to the island of Hawaii.
Either take your bowl away with you or sit and eat in, but don't forget to wash it down with one of their iconic bubble teas.
Speaking about the opening, they said: "At Honi Poke, we put a lot of pride in our bowls and we're passionate about using the best quality, most wholesome, mindful and uncompromising ingredients we can get a hold of. We only use sustainable, sashimi-grade raw fish, premium Japanese rice and the very best quality fruit and veg."
Image: Honi Poke
The new opening inside Trinity Leeds shopping centre comes alongside a whole host of others including Five Guys, Zara, Knoop and Jack & Jones.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “As a leading retail destination which is so embedded in the city it serves, it’s important for Trinity Leeds to continually evolve. These new brands will bring a dynamic and fresh attraction for guests and give them more reasons to come back time and time again. It’s set to be a very exciting year for Trinity Leeds.”
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
23rd April 2024 
