Leeds has suffered yet another gutting loss as OWT restaurant has closed its doors for good after six-and-a-half years.
Starting out in Kirkgate Market before relocating to the Corn Exchange and then taking over the legendary old Corner Cafe site on Burley Road back in November 2023, this beloved canteen-turned-mini-bistro garnered a passionate local following.
Receiving countless positive reviews for the ever-changing menus, the small but regularly rotating dishes were always top-notch and the expansion not only into a bigger space but evening service was no easy feat for this small team.
Sadly, after well over half a decade of building their local reputation and brand, James and Esther confirmed that the restaurant has closed with seemingly immediate effect, posting a lengthy and understandably emotional statement.
Sharing a page for each year they've been in business, the husband and wife duo's goodbye message begins: "After six-and-a-half-years delighting you with James' menus and my French sassiness, we've decided to put an end to our chapter in Leeds.
"We have been following our hearts since 2018 and do not wish to put our physical and mental health through more hospitality-related hurdles.
"We welcomed thousands of you in three different locations tirelessly trying to make it look effortless. Sometimes the simplest concepts are the hardest. Providing top quality in a clean and cool environment takes a lot. We are very proud we lasted this long.
"A few years ago our mate Mike gifted us a print that says: everything is easy, if you want to do it badly". It was never easy at OWT, but boy was it done well!"
They go on to explain that they are now looking to enjoy a "softer pace of life" and spend more time together as a couple - and who could argue with that?
You can find the farewell in full above; it's truly touching and as Esther wrote in the caption, "Comments on this post are disabled as I am not ready for the digital wave tonight! Send us a message or an email if you want to catch up, I will reply once ready."
It goes without saying that we encourage you not just to read their moving words but do go ahead and send them some love and support if you've ever been lucky enough to eat their wonderful food. They deserve it.
Whether it was James' crowd-pleasing chicken, mash and gravy or a simple toastie, this place never missed or slumped on the quality.
OWT might have closed but Leeds will always have the memories and we hope this isn't goodbye from James and Esther forever. Merci.
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.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Danny Jones -
24th January 2025 
