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This new Leeds restaurant is serving all-you-can-eat sushi and Asian grill dishes
All-you-can-eat is back at this stunning Leeds restaurant. Hidden in the city centre, you'll find endless Asian-inspired dishes that will tempt any palate.
New restaurant Sakku opens this afternoon and will be serving all of your favourite Japanese dishes in an all-you-can-eat style.
If there's one thing that the pandemic starved us of, it's all-you-can-eat buffets. Long gone were the days of piling up plates of delicious cuisine from around the world, or so we thought.
Sakku has brought back one of the best ways to eat at their sashimi and Asian grill restaurant, using local and imported ingredients to bring unlimited dishes back to the dining table, at their hidden Leeds restaurant.
Tucked away on St. Peter's Square, just a stone's throw from Leeds City College, Sakku is open for the first time and ready to serve guests a divine selection of Japanese cuisine and Asian-inspired grilled dishes.
There are over 150 tempting portions to choose from, each presented beautifully, with a focus of creating both a sustainable and authentic dining experience.
The Hoot took a first-look at the city centre restaurant and tasted some of Sakku's staple dishes that are certainly as appetising as they are visually appealing.
Any sushi lover knows the importance of a wide selection of fish and vegetables are essential to creating a palatable dish. Squid, salmon and tuna all made an appearance on this first course, each with flavours that effortlessly fused together and change with every bite.
Complemented by noodles and unlimited soy sauce, these sushi rolls will have even newbies to the sushi game asking for another plate.
It's clear from the menu that there is seafood aplenty at Sakku. This course of battered squid and prawns on a bed of fried vegetables and herbs finds that equilibrium between crunch and soft fish flavour and is utterly lip-smacking.
Dip into a tangy sweet dip or tuck into your traditional Japanese mayo for a winning combination.
Of course, seafood has a niche audience at restaurants and if you're still hesitant to try raw seafood in your sushi, the Asian-inspired grill menu will more than compensate.
Whether you love a juicy steak of duck or beef, Sakku can cater for every meat-lovers preference. With a selection of beef cuts including sirloin, rump and tenderloin, each soaked in a special soy sauce and varying Japanese spices, opt for your desired cut and flavour with ease.
The evening-only menu offers yuzu zest-cured grilled duck breast served with celeriac slaw, along with skewers made up of yakitori (chicken), gyu (beef), ebi (chilli king prawns), mussel with spicy sakku sauce and many more.
The portion sizes are ideal for trying old favourites and venturing for new selections alike and the katsu-style chicken is a perfect example of this.
Resting in a bed of Japanese rice and spring onions, the breaded chicken is perfectly cooked and packed with juicy flavours.
The beef tataki with sesame, ponzu and soya sauce is just as delicious and the perfect snack to keep you going as you decide on your next all-you-can-eat dish.
With cherry blossom trees delicately places between tables and 'gram worthy signage dotted throughout the seating area, the space feels inviting and warm but with a decorative twist that could keep your eyes busy for hours.
This new venture is the perfect way to explore an unfamiliar cuisine, with fine food and a beautiful selection of fish and meat based dishes that will leave you with a new favourite dish by the time you walk up those stairs and out the door.
To make a booking visit the Sakku website. Prices start from £21.95 for an adult at a mid-week lunch sitting and £10.95 for children.
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Sophie Smith -
21st October 2021 
