There's a restaurant and bar in Leeds offering bottomless Japanese afternoon teas and we're absolutely smitten.
Putting an Asian twist on the classic English afternoon pastime, the contemporary rooftop restaurant in Victoria Gate elevates the typical cucumber sandwiches and scone offering - switching in sushi, gyoza and delicate sandos in their place.
Issho - meaning 'together' in Japanese - is a gorgeous spot in which to come together and lose a few hours wining and dining in the city, whilst sampling some of the best delicacies Leeds has to offer.
The outdoor terrace at Issho
Offering ninety minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside its Japanese-style afternoon tea, swanky Leeds restaurant Issho's offer is up there with some of the best bottomless deals we've seen in the city.
For £47.50, you'll enjoy unlimited prosecco as you tuck into a host of delicate Japanese finger-food treats. The selection here is split into three: spanning sushi, savoury and sweet, and also includes a selection of fine Japanese and English teas.
There's a whole host of yummy delicacies included, with the sushi section boasting the likes of tuna tataki with wasabi cream, vegetable maki, salmon and avocado maki, and tuna and salmon nigiri - all served with soy for dipping and pickled ginger on the side.
Savoury and sweet treats on the Afternoon Tea menu
In the savoury section, meanwhile, think seasonal vegetable gyozas, prawn toast with black sesame seeds, and a selection of delicate Japanese crustless sandos with fillings like chicken katsu and tamago (egg).
For your sweet treat, finish on a high with Issho's selection of caramel purin (the Japanese name for creme caramel), matcha cheesecake, yuzu and raspberry tart and miso and chocolate brownies.
As for teas, alongside a classic selection of traditional favourites like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, there's also the choice of some special Japanese teas including sencha (loose leaf green tea), hojicha (roasted green tea) and konacha (a sushi drinking tea with a bitter taste designed to enhance the flavour of fishiness left in the mouth by your food).
The bottomless Japanese afternoon tea is served in Issho bar on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 pm - 2:45 pm. To find out more and book your table, head over to Issho's website here.
News
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2021 
