Meat is Dead in Leeds has announced it will close early today whilst the team waits for some 'coherent guidance' from the government regarding the rise of Covid-19 cases across the country.
Stating they hope this will come through from the government 'soon', the restaurant took a dig at a lack of leadership in number 10, giving a "big shout out to Boris Johnson for his complete lack of support' in a post shared to its Instagram page.
Stating it would be closing today in order to focus on deliveries for Christmas, the restaurant said:
"We've decided not to open today so we can focus on getting set up so we can deliver food to your door.
"Hopefully we'll get some coherent guidance from the government soon.
"We want to be as prepared as we can for whatever will be. Stay safe, much love x"
The announcement from Meat is Dead echoes feelings of concern shared by hospitality businesses up and down the country and comes amid increasing calls on the Treasury to introduce better support for the sector.
Since the arrival of Omicron in the country several weeks ago, booking cancellations have skyrocketed across the industry - leaving many fearing they will not survive into the new year without additional restrictions and financial support.
It follows the announcement of a state of emergency in London, which was called by the capital's Mayor Sadiq Khan over the weekend.
Khan appeared on Andrew Marr's final BBC show on Sunday to peak about the urgent need for better support to be made available to the sector.
Image: Meat is Dead Leeds
He told Marr that people should go to pubs and restaurants "if they can do so safely". stating that "pubs, restaurants, and bars have worked so hard to make their places covid safe" before advising people to do a lateral flow before they visited, to socially distance where they can, and to wear masks where they can't.
"It's cheaper to support business with grants, with business rates relief, and with furlough than allow them to go bust," he added.
Following the state of emergency announcement in London, the government has held emergency COBRA and cabinet meetings today to discuss future plans - with three different scenarios currently on the table.
Despite this, Boris Johnson is not expected to make any Covid announcements today.
Feature image - Meat is Dead Leeds
Eats
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Georgina Pellant -
20th December 2021 
