The Leeds steakhouse has had a menu makeover, with plenty of delicious dishes now available.
Back in 2020, the beloved chain Blackhouse went into administration, and the company closed its venues in Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester.
Fast forward 18 months and the Leeds site is busier than ever before, having undergone a menu makeover.
Being the only remaining Blackhouse site, the steakhouse had a lot to live up to, but at least upon The Hoot's visit, the popular restaurant more than met our expectations.
Fish Tacos.
The intimately-lit interior is complimented by quiet chatter and attentive service, even at their lunchtime sittings.
As much as the atmosphere and decor is important, in a steakhouse, it's all about the food and the new menu certainly leaves many hard decisions to be made.
Will it be Truffle and Porcini Popcorn to nibble on or the Curried Cauliflower Beignet? Those all-important delicious decisions begin even before dipping into your starter.
With so many worldwide-inspired dishes to choose from, there is something for every dietary requirement, even vegans and vegetarians- a rarity at steakhouses.
For starters, the Blackened Fish Tacos are topped with guac, pickled cabbage, Pico de Gallo and créme fraîche, making them the perfect light bite to tempt your palate.
The steak sandwich.
For a vegetarian-friendly starter, the Smoked Paprika Houmous will have your lips smacking at the taste of the crumbly Cruidtés and garlic crisp breads, dipped into light, but sweet, houmous.
Meat lovers will be keen to try the range of additional starters available.
Think Pulled Beef Bon Bons, Goan Chicken Skewers, Chicken Liver Parfait and even a Beef Brisket Pasty with Wasabi mayo.
Pair this with a Blackhouse steak for the ultimate meaty dinner.
The famous Blackhouse steak.
On the steak menu, discerning steak-eaters can choose their favourite cut: be it rump, fillet, sirloin or T-bone, before pairing it with chips or mash.
The Premium West Country options are all PGI certified, chosen from a small butchers in the South West, but it's the sharing cuts that have our mouths watering.
We're talking up to 1.2kg of pure steak. The English Longbone, or Tomahawk, is not for the fainthearted, nor is the Blackhouse Chateaubriand.
These Blackhouse specialities may not be new to the menu, but they are firm customer favourites for their juicy flavours and plentiful servings.
Of course, the main courses on offer centre around the steak menu, but there are plenty of other tempting dishes on offer too.
The Half-Roasting Chicken is the ultimate winter warmer for anyone looking for a cosy lunchtime treat. Served with skinny chips, stuffing and mouth watering gravy, the half chicken is plenty to keep you going on a cold windy day.
The Squash Ravioli is just as tempting and perfect for vegetarians that don't want the same old pasta and sauce combination for their dinner.
Topped with mushrooms, kale and Pecorino, the ravioli is a sauce-less dish that focuses on the fusion of natural flavours.
Those wanting to test out the famous Blackhouse-steak without committing to an English Tomahawk won't be able to resist the Blackhouse Steak Sandwich.
We're talking fillet steak, tenderly cut into chunks and topped with onion, mushroom, burnt onion mayonnaise, horseradish cream and mature cheddar, all between two soft pieces of bread. Served with skinny fries, this is another winter warming dish that is perfect for an afternoon treat.
The beautiful restaurant.
For dessert, wine is on the menu. Grab a glass of Clos l'Abeilley Sauternes, a french dessert wine that evokes aromas of wild honey and apricot compote.
The Blackhouse Menu is available from their East Parade location every day of the week.
We recommend booking a table to avoid disappointment, particularly during the weekend when the restaurant offer Bottomless Brunch and a Sunday roast.
Follow The Hoot Eats for more Leeds food reviews and guides here.
For more information visit the Blackhouse website.
Feature Image- Blackhouse
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The best rooftop bars in and around Leeds to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine
The sun has got his hat on and there's no better place to soak it up than on a rooftop.
We've already been blessed with some beautiful weather this summer (touch wood), and here in Leeds there's plenty of sun-soaked spots to enjoy it.
To help you make the most out of the sun, we've taken it upon ourselves to do some in-depth research on the very best rooftop bars in Leeds to enjoy a drink or two.
You know, because someone's got to do it.
Whether you want to dress up and treat yourself to a swanky cocktail, jam out to a DJ whilst enjoying a craft beer or catch up with friends over some good food washed down by a refreshing beverage, there is a rooftop for you.
Let's get into it then shall we?
Green Room
36 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one definitely won't come as a surprise, having made a name for itself as one of the city's best nights out Green Room leads the way as the best rooftop in town.
Expect banging drinks, a buzzing atmosphere and New York style pizza - need we say more?
Headrow House
Bramleys Yard, 19 The Headrow
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Possibly the biggest rooftop in Leeds and set over two floors, this terrace promises a fantastic night out where you’ll be boogying on until the sun goes down. The first floor offers long picnic style tables, colourful parasols and overhead heaters to counteract the evening chill. The second floor has more benches amidst charming little covered huts, ideal for larger groups as they can be reserved in advance.
A huge neon sign is propped up amongst the skyline which comes alive when the sun goes down, setting the scene with a reddish tint as the DJ provides groovy tunes to take you into the early hours.
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you like craft beer and good music, this is the rooftop for you. Belgrave’s iconic rooftop is always jam packed in the Summer and it is no surprise why; the vibes are always immaculate and the drinks are ace. Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points Ale are just a taster of what’s on the pumps and there’s also a great cocktail menu which are well priced and mega tasty.
If you get peckish you can order some ‘session loaded fries’ from Patty Smith’s burgers or a huge sharing pizza from Dough Boys. Both vendors are just downstairs and are a good enough reason to make a trip to Belgrave alone. Live DJs play all day and there’s an authentic friendly atmosphere meaning you’ll all be bopping heads and soak in the views together.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you want to feel like you're on the set of Love Island then get yourself to Azotea and gather round the fire pit.
This Mexican-inspired rooftop is the perfect spot if you're feeling a little bit fancy and want to dress up with the girls and treat yourself to a couple of cocktails.
IF Rooftop
10 - 12 Park Cross Street, LS1 2BH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one's a little bit hidden, but if you can find the secret door and enter the code to the secret paradise then it's most definitely worth it.
Think incredible panoramic views of the city, banging cocktails and groovy DJs to get you grooving as the sun goes down.
Roland's
39 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Just when you thought Roland's on Call Lane couldn't get any better, head upstairs to their glorious sun terrace and be prepared to be proven wrong.
This small but mighty sun trap is a great spot to enjoy the best cocktails in town, and you can even watch the trains go by as you sip.
The Woods
5, Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located in the heart of Chapel Allerton, this roof top is a firm favourite and it's easy to see why.
Great drinks, plenty of space and banging food by The Kerbside Kids. We can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night to be honest.
Headingley Heights
8 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2AD
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're over in Headingley, then this is the spot for you. Upstairs at BOX you'll find this huge sprawling rooftop equipped with its own bar with exclusive cocktails, two huge HD screens showing all the sports and all the usual food and drink locals have come to know and love from BOX.
“What’s Love Got to Do with It?”: A Story of Survival at Leeds Grand Theatre
Declan Kelly
An unflinching and empowering portrait of Tina Turner’s life.
Bringing the life of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll to the stage, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical arrives at the Leeds Grand Theatre with an energy that is both electrifying and deeply affecting. More than just a celebration of Tina Turner’s iconic career, this production offers a powerful portrayal of the hardship she endured and the extraordinary strength it took to overcome it.
While the musical is packed with well-known hits, it is the story behind them that leaves the greatest impact. From her early years to her rise to global stardom, the production lays bare the reality of Tina’s life, particularly the abuse and control she experienced at the hands of Ike.
These moments are handled with care but never softened, forcing the audience to confront the emotional and physical toll of her journey. It is this honesty that gives the show its real power this is not just a story of success, but one of survival.
Image: Supplied
A standout element of the production is the use of a younger Tina to show the early stages of her life and career. These scenes reveal her vulnerability, ambition, and the experiences that shaped her resilience, giving crucial context to her struggles with Ike and making her eventual empowerment all the more powerful. From hopeful, constrained performer to fiercely independent icon, her journey feels earned and deeply moving.
At the heart of the show is Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, whose portrayal of Tina is nothing short of extraordinary. She captures every facet of the performer from vulnerability to fierce determination allowing the audience to fully experience Tina’s lowest moments as well as her eventual rise.
Image: Supplied
Opposite her, David King-Yombo delivers a chilling performance as Ike, embodying the manipulation and control that defined their relationship. Their dynamic is deeply uncomfortable at times, but essential in highlighting the magnitude of Tina’s resilience.
Equally striking is the musical’s staging and visual storytelling, which mirrors Tina’s emotional journey. Intimate early-life moments and larger-than-life concert sequences are enhanced with lighting, set design, and choreography.
Iconic numbers such as “Disco Inferno,” “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “Private Dancer” are brought to life with golden disco balls and soaring spotlights, celebrating her rise while reflecting her transformation from oppression to empowerment. These moments are met with overwhelming audience enthusiasm, making Tina’s struggles and triumphs feel immediate, immersive, and unforgettable.
Image: Supplied
The only area that felt slightly less polished was the stage combat. While the physical tension between Tina and Ike was effective in conveying conflict and control, some of the choreography occasionally felt a little uneven, which momentarily pulled focus from the emotional intensity of those scenes. Even so, these moments were brief and did little to diminish the overall impact of the production.
By the final moments of the production, Tina prepares once more to take the stage, the narrative comes full circle the show ends the same way it began, with Tina getting ready for her gig. This framing is both thoughtful and powerful, giving the audience a moment to reflect on and celebrate the journey they have just witnessed.
Having experienced her struggles, triumphs, and transformation, the audience is invited to share in the exhilaration of her performance, turning the theatre into a concert-like celebration of resilience, empowerment, and music. As Tina herself, who worked on the production before her passing in 2023, described on opening night, the show is “poison turned into medicine.”
Ultimately, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is a story of empowerment forged through adversity. For audiences at the Leeds Grand Theatre, this is more than a night at the theatre; it is an emotional, inspiring, and unforgettable tribute to a woman who refused to be defined by her past.
Running until 4 April. Tickets available now here.
Sophie Smith -
23rd November 2021 
