Food critic Jay Rayner headed to Leeds for his latest restaurant review for The Financial Times, with his sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Since opening last year, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin recently awarded them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time til national critic Jay Rayner popped his head in, and his latest review in The Financial Times is nothing short of glowing.
The review praises the food as 'big, fat French classics, executed with vigour and a kind of precision that is so carefully disguised it just looks like the application of seriously good taste'.
Rayner showers head chef Sandy Jarvis in compliments and rightly so: "He approaches everything with finely calibrated largesse".
"It is all delightful; a glowing, middle-class Parisian Bistro Paul Bert fantasy of French bourgeois life made real, to be lubricated by the country's more idiosyncratic wines".
Very high praise indeed.
Aside from the food, the review touches on Bavette's excellent service and atmosphere: "Service is charming, because effortless charm is the currency here. In July, the Good Food Guide will announce the winners of its latest local restaurant awards, to be measured against the national standard by Bavette.
"Not that the diners here, leaning in over their plates, elbows on the table, seem to care. They're just enjoying the special occasion of everyday."
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
If you haven't visited Bavette yet, then book your table here.
An award-winning burger chain is coming to one of Leeds' suburbs.
If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.
Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.
And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.
The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meanwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.
And the plans have now been approved, which means Burgerism will officially be coming to Leeds. Hurray!
Burgerism's new takeaway will be walking distance from the The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.
It will be strictly takeaway with no dine-in option available.
The brand-new Burgerism will employ 15 people from the local area with food being served between 11am and 11pm.
We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, but for now we're aware that Burgerism Leeds is set to open this summer.
Ireland’s famous fast food phenomenon, the spice bag, has landed in Leeds Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
You can now grab the ultimate hangover cure at our very own Kirkgate Market.
And it comes from none other than The Fisherman's Wife - a Leeds institution that has been serving up fantastic fish and chips for over 60 years.
But now, they're turning their attention to spice bags.
If you have no idea what we're talking about then allow us to fill you in. And we'd recommend pouring yourself an ice cold glass of water, because it's about to get real salty up in here.
The spice bag is an Irish delicacy that is often devoured after a few Guinness on the streets of Dublin, for example.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It consists of shredded and battered chicken, chips, onions and peppers - all deep fried, loaded into a bag and tossed in lashings of salt and pepper seasoning.
Oh, and of course dipped or lathered in a sauce of your choosing. The classic being curry sauce, obviously.
It's been available in Leeds once before at a pop-up in Trinity Kitchen, but now The Fisherman's Wife is here to make them a permanent option for anyone with that salty craving.
You've got a couple of flavours to choose from too, including peri-peri, plain, salt & chilli and of course the classic salt & pepper.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can then add a drizzle of sriracha, curry sauce (obviously) or sticky honey if you're looking for that sweet and salty balance.
The best part? They're selling these for just £6.50.
So next time you've had a few too many the night before, get yourself to The Fisherman's Wife inside Leeds Kirkgate Market's food hall and get yourself a spice bag. You'll be cured in no time.
Clementine Hall -
2nd June 2025 
