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Rate My Takeaway star Danny Malin “blown away” by Leeds sandwich pop-up
The YouTuber was taken aback by the vegan dishes.
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25th May 2022
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.
Feature Image- Rate My Takeaway
Eats
Major plans announced for Leeds Christmas Markets 2026 – food, drinks, stalls and more
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
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25th May 2022 
