If you're looking for a brunch that'll impress the one you love, we've found it.
Whether you're celebrating Valentine's day, having a good ol' Galentines date, embracing the rise of Malentines celebrations or simply self-lovin this year- there's every reason to say 'I love you' with food.
It's what us Brits do best. We celebrate Christmas with turkey dinners and pudding, we give people cake when we celebrate their birthdays and pop the Prosecco or Champagne when someone gets good news. We celebrate Easter by giving each other eggs and even the Lunar New Year has brought out an array of impressive dinner menus to share with out loved ones.
Image: Gron
To make Valentine's Day weekend a celebration you and your loved one won't forget anytime soon, Grön Kafe in Oakwood is offering up a two hour session of bottomless booze and Instagrammable brunch options- and it's beautifully designed.
Everything right down to the banana bread is impressive, which takes serious commitment. On the menu, there's plenty more to choose from than loaf cake to tuck into.
Expect pancakes coated in cinnamon sugar and served with homemade granola, soy yogurt and your choice of toppings:, including spiced apple and berry compote, banana, almond brittle and maple syrup, in addition to vegan friendly options like the Breakfast Melt: a white bloomer with smokey coriander butter beans, vegan sausage, vegan mozzarella and wilted spinach.
There's also eggs seemingly unlimited ways: poached, scrambled, royale-style and their toast options are just the same. Expect homemade beans on toast with smokey coriander butter beans, herb crumb and chive oil; garlic mushrooms on toast with cashew mayo or the classic avo on toast with red onion toast.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The french toast is our favourite: cinnamon sugar coated brioche, berry compote, fresh berries, coconut yogurt, mint and maple syrup. It's topped with edible flowers and goes down a treat- if you have a sweet tooth, you already know this dish will be calling your name.
Drinkswise, the bottomless experience includes the likes of mimosas, beers, sparkling wine and Aperol Spritz, so no doubt there will be a beverage for any palate to taste.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Valentines bottomless brunch will take place over two sittings on Saturday 12 February and Sunday 13 February, each at 3.00 - 4.30pm.
For more information, including how to book a seat in advance (prebooked tickets will be required for this one), visit the Grön website.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
27th January 2022 
