Much-loved local brewers Kirkstall Brewery has joined forces with five star Indian restaurant Dastaan, based in Adel, to bring together a fusion of Indian street food and IPAs, in a brand new setting.
Kirkstall Brewery announced it would be taking over the former Banyan site on New Road Side in Horsforth last month.
But this new opening is going to be far from your usual suburban boozer.
Karobar, the working name for the new bar partnership, plans to bring together the best of Kirkstall Brewery's beers with 'modern fusion' Indian street food that's been inspired by trends seen back in India.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The idea is that all of the food on the menu will be based on Kirkstall's IPAs and the flavours for each dish will be shaped around the beers - a rare but exciting way to work, and by working in tandem with the flavours in both food and drink, it promises some seriously exciting pairings.
To give a glimpse of what lies ahead for the new bar concept, Dastaan has begun to work on an impressive street food menu with innovative dishes like Pani Poori, puffed semolina shell with chickpeas paired with Kirkstall's 3 Swords and potato tornado chaat with white pea ragda, herb yoghurt and taramind chilli chutney to serve with longtime Leeds favourite Virtuous, an Aromatic Session IPA with grapefruit peel, lemon and lime.
Like the rest of the award-winning menu Dastaan has to offer at its restaurant in Adel, everything is homemade, right down to the whole wheat tacos individually filled with pulled masala jackfruit, Punjabi paneer bhuriji and pulled masala pork before being garnished with pickled ginger, raw mango marmalade, Tekhi chutney, tadka yoghurt, onion tomato kachumber and potato salli. Naturally there's a Mango IPA and more crisp, bitter West Coast IPA, Spokane that goes perfectly.
Homemade tacos in three flavours.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hoping to bring some of the food trend spotted on a recent trip to India, the team at Dastaan is working on fusing together popular street food items with the more traditional Indian curries found on the menu.
"Bao buns are trending, tacos are trending - but you're not seeing that in the UK yet and it takes time for things to filter through" a spokesperson for Dastaan told The Hoot Leeds.
Elsewhere on the working menu, you'll find Pao Sliders with potato vada, Amritsari fish and Chicken 65 pakora inside, as well as Tandoor Se, a lamb seekh kebab or tandoori soya chop as a plant-based alternative, with sirka onions and mint chutney, ideally paired with a Belgian Blond.
Tandoor Se. / Images: The Hoot Leeds
Pao Sliders.
Kirkstall Brewery announced that they "believe in tradition, authenticity and innovation and this is an opportunity to show us what we can do" with their new partnership with Dastaan.
And for those wondering about the name, Karobar translates to 'business' in Hindi and is the popular term for street food stalls, amongst other businesses, in India. "When you put a shop on the street, it's 'your Karobar', it's your business" - so it perfectly encompasses the partnership between Kirkstall Brewery and Dastaan, as well as hinting at the street food element of the menu in a single word.
Work is now underway to bring Karobar to life, with plans to open this summer - and we can't wait to hear more.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
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 -
5th May 2023 
