Over in Guiseley, there's a restaurant selling epic-looking Yorkshire pudding burgers and we can't help but drool.
Housed inside an old HSBC bank, chic garden-inspired retreat The Potting Shed serves a homegrown menu made fresh daily using locally-sourced ingredients - but there's one, in particular, that has caught our eye.
The Yorkshire pudding burger, known as the 'Yorkshire Black and Blue' is comprised of a hand-pressed beef burger patty, dusted with Cajun spice and topped with tangy blue cheese. Wedged between two fat and fluffy Yorkshire puddings, it's a sight for sore eyes (and hungry bellies).
Image: The Potting Shed
Served with a portion of fries on the side, it's only £7.95 with a soft drink when you done on the restaurant's lunch deal, which runs from 12-4pm, Monday to Friday.
Outside of these hours, though, you're looking at paying slightly more with the Yorkshire pudding burger priced at just under £12.
Part of an extensive burger list, other tempting options at The Potting Shed include the 'Gnome's revenge' (a pizza sauce-loaded burger with two beef patties, bacon, pepperon, cheese and onion rings on top) and the 'Steak burger' (a beef burger drenched in creamy peppercorn sauce and topped with a 5oz rump steak).
Image: The Potting Shed
Not forgetting the veggies and vegans, there's also a halloumi burger on the list complemented with red pepper, mixed salad leaves and sweet chilli sauce; a 'garden pizza' loaded with mozzarella, tomato and Mediterranean vegetables, and a spinach, chickpea and sweet potato curry.
Elsewhere, you'll find treats like a stack of black pudding with crispy bacon, shredded mozzarella and smothered with a creamy pepper sauce; a steak and ale pie with fat chips, peas and gravy; 'posh' fish finger sandwiches; rump steak burrito and a huge range of kebabs.
There's also some solid pub grub classics to be enjoyed here, like fish or scampi) with chips, 10oz British Aberdeen Angus 28 day aged rump steak, and a large selection of wood-fired pizzas cooked to order on site.
Even better, they're dog friendly too - so you can bring your pooch along with you whilst you dine (and if you do, you're promised a very warm welcome).
Image: The Potting Shed
Drinks-wise, there's a good selection of classic and signature cocktails on the menu - with favourites like pornstar and espresso martinis sitting alongside house specials like 'Goose and Juice' (Grey Goose vodka, passionfruit, vanilla, lemonade) and 'Watermelon ginbull' (Gordons Gin and Watermelon Redbull).
In fact, there seems to be quite a penchant for Red Bull-inspired cocktails here - with further examples including the 'Tropical Rumbull', a double shot Havana 3, perfectly served with ice, lime and a full cold can of Red Bull Tropical on the side, and the classic Vodka and Red Bull mixer.
There's also a good list of wines, beers, spritzes, mocktails and gin and tonic perfect serves.
Coupled with charming garden-inspired settings that see the outside firmly brought in, The Potting Shed looks a charming place to while away a few hours with some good food and company.
To find out more, visit the restaurant's website here.
Feature image - The Potting Shed
News
A Leeds-based theatre company are spreading awareness on the aftermath of spiking
From nights out to trips to the beach, Rebel Roots Theatre Company's latest production explores how spiking can change lives and why young people need to hear its message.
Imagine heading out with your mates, having what should be a brilliant night, only for one decision to change everything.
It's an uncomfortable thought, but it's one that Leeds-based Rebel Roots Theatre Company is bringing to the forefront with Aftermath, a play written by Lottie Burns that explores the devastating impact of spiking on individuals and their families.
At the centre of the story is Layla, a young woman preparing to leave home for university, and her father, David, who must confront the realities of women's safety as his daughter prepares to start a new chapter.
But Layla isn't the only one affected. Her brother Ethan is also spiked by his own friends during a trip to the beach, opening up another side to a conversation that often focuses predominantly on women.
His experience challenges the assumption that spiking is exclusively a women's issue, highlighting how men can also become victims, sometimes at the hands of people they trust. It raises important questions about male friendships, peer pressure and the way harmful behaviour can be dismissed as a joke.
Written by Burns while studying at Leeds Conservatoire, the play was inspired by growing concerns about spiking in 2021 and the way these fears were changing women's experiences of nights out.
Through Layla, Ethan and their father, David, Aftermath looks beyond the incident itself to explore its wider consequences, from damaged relationships to the difficult conversations that follow.
And it's exactly why this production deserves to reach young people in colleges and universities.
For many, heading to university means newfound independence, making new friends and experiencing student nightlife for the first time. Taking Aftermath into educational settings could help open young people's eyes to the realities of spiking, encouraging conversations around consent, trust, peer pressure and supporting those affected.
Rather than simply telling students to watch their drinks, the production offers an opportunity to understand the human consequences through a story they can connect with. It could also challenge audiences to reconsider their own behaviour and recognise when something that seems like a joke can have serious consequences.
The project has also received support from anti-spiking organisation CounterSpike. Rebel Roots Theatre Company is passionate about taking theatre beyond traditional venues, bringing new writing and important stories into pubs, community spaces and other accessible settings.
Ultimately, Aftermath is about more than one night out. It's about trust, family and the lasting impact of experiences that can affect anyone.
And if bringing this story into a college or university helps even one young person rethink their actions or better understand what someone else might go through, it's a conversation worth having.
We’re sure this production will enjoy another run thanks to its important message and core values. But if you want to catch it for yourself, you can see it this Saturday, 24 October, at The Attic in Leeds. It’s a pay-what-you-can event, starting at 7:30 pm, so don’t miss out.
Featured image - Supplied
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Georgina Pellant -
26th January 2022 
