Rate My Takeaway YouTuber Danny Malin returned to Leeds for a lunchtime treat.
Whilst the YouTuber started his video talking about the free pizza with every beer inside Cuckoo, the takeaway reviewer arrived over the road outside Roland's to sample their kitchen residency's well-considered menu.
Costing just shy of £40 for the whole menu, Danny Malin ordered the full offerings of Don't Feed The Dog, the business behind the food to sample.
Danny sat opposite Roland's to review the food. / Image: Rate My Takeaway, YouTube
The menu only consists of three sandwiches and four small plates: but that’s all they need to keep you coming back, as Danny found out.
The sarnies here couldn’t be further from your boring ham and margarine combos: served with seemingly endless toppings, the flavours are unique blends you’re unlikely to have heard of before.
Starting with the oyster mushroom wings, Danny said: "They are amazing. I'm totally honest with you it's not something I would order but wow. There's a strong hint of chillis with spices a nice crisp batter on it... wow".
"The flavour and the seasoning on this batter is unreal, I've honestly got to say to you its crunchy and it's got a nice crisp to it... It's like fried chicken with all the herbs and spices"
The deep-fried olives took the takeaway conessueiur by surprise, first thinking he'd need to "get them out the way", Danny shared that they more like wine as the olives soften when heated to cook- "it's all about that crispy coating".
The potatoes are wafer thin layers of potato pressed together to make a full sized chip. Taking 15 hours to cook, Danny's first words were "I can't believe I'm saying oh my god about a chip... now these are pressed with butter and it's given it a delicious taste let me tell you. It's seasoned up, fried but it tastes really creamy, like creamy mash but it shouldn't be... they are gorgeous".
15 hour cooked chips. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
"If I'm honest with you guys, these sides are next level".
Moving on to Making up the vegan offering of the sarnie trio, the Mushroom Bahn Mi is made up of crispy fried oyster mushrooms with peanut butter, pickled daikon, carrots, fresh mint, fresh coriander, fresh chilli, peanuts and Sriracha mayo.
"I'm in love with that coating on the mushrooms" were the first thoughts before the Rate My Takeaway star noted that this is a sandwich that anyone would enjoy, regardless of dietary preference, commenting:
"So a lot of people if you're not vegetarian you shy away from that side of the menu, I'll be the first to admit that I do, I don't even look at that side of the menu but this coating is tasty and this [all] is amazing".
Bahn Mi Sandwich. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Bunga Bunga was just as well received: "That sandwich is the gift that keeps giving with every bite of this bad boy. The freshness... wow"
Made up of cured meats, mozzarella cheese, Guardinera, shredded romain lettuce, drizzled with mayo with 'Cheese Crack' baked in the oven and crumbled - or "snack crackle and pop" as Malin described the flavours.
The takeaway star couldn't recommend the quality of the produce enough and again admitted that the vegan mushrooms have "blown me away if I'm honest with you", and each dish is well worth the price paid in his concluding piece to camera.
You can watch Danny Malin's full review of Don't Feed The Dog on his YouTube channel or you can read The Hoot's review here.
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Leeds
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Sophie Smith -
25th May 2022 
