Pasta in pyjamas? Name us a better Friday night plan.
Okay, you don't actually have to wear pyjamas but the main thing is you won't be judged if you do.
Some of you may remember that back in the good old days, Doh'hut used to host 'Casual Pasta' nights. And they were absolutely class, as you would expect.
Well now they're making a triumphant return to BAKE, where Tom and the All Things Dough team will serve you up a menu full of banging pasta, natural wine from Wayward Wines and a few other goodies in a gorgeous, relaxed setting.
Announcing the fabulous news on Instagram, BAKE said: "Join us for a set menu of delicious food to share with your loved ones or mates, paired with good tunes, great wine, and the best pasta you’ve chomped on this year.
"We plan to run Casual Pasta at least once a month going forward. The menu will change slightly each time but with the same format, different flavours, keeping it fresh for us and fresh for you.
"Keep it casual… no ties or dress shoes. Hats and trainers encouraged, and if you rock up in pyjamas, we’ll be super impressed. Be comfortable and feel at home, that’s the vibe we want, and hopefully the vibe you bring too."
Sounds absolutely perfect, don't you think? And seeing as everything Tom touches turns to gold, we just know this is going to be some of the best pasta we've ever had the pleasure of eating.
The first casual pasta nights at BAKE will take place on Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November, and you can book your spot here. And you best be quick, as we don't think it'll take long to get all booked up.
Circle or square, thin crust or deep dish, pizza is always a good idea.
From double-fermented sourdough to Fior di Latte mozzarella, the pizza options in Leeds leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome.
But of course finding that perfect slice for you can be hard, so we've rounded our very favourite spots in and around Leeds where you can try to find it - in no particular order.
Rudy's
Image: The Hoot Leeds
With three locations in Leeds, Rudy’s is an absolute classic if you're looking for a banging Neapolitan style pizza.
Their dough is made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), which is then topped with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz or Campari soda, and you’ve got the perfect combination.
Dough Boys
Image: The Hoot Leeds
For anyone who spends their weekends chilling out in Belgrave Music Hall, you’ll know the pure joy of ordering a slice of Dough Boys.
Describing themselves as having a ‘love affair with dough’ they are famous in Leeds for their slices and pies with some delicious innovative flavours as well as the loved classic. The pizzas are hand stretched using all fresh ingredients, sourced from local producers.
You can grab slices for half price Sunday to Thursday until 7pm.
Homeboy Pizza Co.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Probably one of Leeds' most famous indies, Homeboy Pizza Co sling out some of the best slices in the city.
Now with two locations, one in Roundhay and one in Burley - it's the only place to order from if you're looking to get tucked up on the sofa and get stuck into a proper pie.
Poco
Fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio have become a Leeds foodie staple all because of POCO.
The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection. It makes for the perfect takeaway lunch.
Pizza Pilgrims
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A relatively new addition to Leeds, Pizza Pilgrims on Boar Lane make some absolutely banging pies.
Known for their iconic leopard crust, their pizzas are authentic and made with the best quality ingredients. We'd recommend ordering a few of their sides too, the cucumber salad is out of this world.
Edges Pizza
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Green Room's rooftop, Edges Pizza are bringing a slice of New York City to Leeds. Thin, crispy bases which can be dipped into a range of sauces - it's the perfect slice to dive into with a couple cocktails on the side. Bliss.
Livin' Italy
Fancy a trip to Rome whilst staying within the LS postcode? Take a trip to Livin' Italy where they specialise in authentic Italian food, and they do it very well.
They’ve got a great selection including a spicy pizza with tomato sauce, goat cheese, mozzarella fiordilatte, grated parmesan, Calabrian chilli sausage ‘Nduja, and spicy salami spianata. These kind of flavours, you won't find anywhere else in Leeds. Looking for something more classic? We'd recommend with mozzarella fiordilatte, pecorino romano, goat cheese, grated parmesan, sweet gorgonzola, walnut crumble & fried sage.
Water Lane Boathouse
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Not just famous for hosting arguably Leeds' best quiz night or the huge ourdoor terrace looking over the canal, Waterlane Boat House are excellent at making pizza.
Their pizza dough is made using just three ingredients: Organic Yorkshire flour, water and salt - that makes it a proper Yorkshire pizza doesn't it? The Spinach & Blue Cheese is a real crowd favourite; San Marzano, fior di latte, spinach, blue cheese, mushroom, red onion with crumbled walnuts.
Culto
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Over in Meanwood you'll find Culto, a firm local favourite that serve up brilliant pizzas which you can take out or enjoy inside their beautiful dining space.
They've won awards for their pizzas and it's not hard to see why, we'd recommend kicking things off with an antipasti board first.
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.