Over in Boston Spa there's a new contemporary bakehouse putting its own special twist on breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Serving up a host of bakery and patisserie-based creations, since opening in spring this year CORA has quickly made a name for itself amongst locals in the area - elevating the usually casual meals of afternoon tea and brunch into fine dining territory.
In-house patisserie chef Rosie has been creating some weird and wonderful concoctions, ranging from burnt butter and cardamom swirls to "dark and mysterious looking" confit duck leg with pistachio and cherry pastries - and she's received some rave reviews.
A sneak peek at one of the evening taster menu dishes to come in August / Image: CORA
According to a recent post on the CORA Instagram, yesterday a man popped in for a coffee and decided on trying one of those swirls. Five minutes later, he ran back in and bought four more. We think that really speaks for itself.
Her bread, so we hear, is also incredible. Truffled ciabatta and fennel, goats cheese and lemon bread? We're already drooling just at the thought of it.
And CORA is not done yet - rather, it's expanding its offering into evening tasting experiences, offering a series of mysterious menus that are sure to delight and challenge diners in equal measure.
From August, the bakehouse come restaurant, headed up by chef Elizabeth Cottam (head chef and founder of lauded Leeds restaurants HOME and The Owl), is going to be introducing a new tasting menu of eight small plates on Friday and Saturday evenings.
CORA's 'Blooming Rosie' nods to the Yorkshire white rose / Image: CORA
Priced at £65 per person, the menus are not published - rather the whole experience is a surprise. Even when you get to the restaurant you won't know what you are eating until your plate hits the table.
Reservations for tasting experiences will require a deposit and can be enjoyed on the evening alongside a carefully selected drinks pairing.
The full team at CORA / Image: CORA
The fully female senior team has already seen high praise, and CORA’s new and diverse offering has been celebrated in Boston Spa for enriching the town’s culinary scene. We can't wait to see what these new tasting menus hold.
Find out more about contemporary bakehouse, dining room and wine cellar CORA on their website here.
Find them at 162 High St, Boston Spa, Wetherby LS23 6BW.
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Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Leeds’ first sauna and ice bath cafe is coming to the city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Georgina Pellant -
27th July 2021 
