The talented team behind two of Sheffield's best eateries have opened a restaurant in the city centre.
And it'll come as no surprise to you that it's absolutely class.
When it was announced last year that the masterminds behind Bench and The Pearl, two award-winning Sheffield venues, were setting their sights on opening an Italian trattoria in the city centre we couldn't believe our luck.
Maria, located on Wellington Street in the new heart of the city development, is a homage to owner Ronnie's grandmother and a nod to his southern Italian heritage.
Images: The Sheff
It's a space unlike anything in the city, a small but perfectly-formed space complete with counter dining where you can watch the magic happen.
And magic really is happening, because the food is nothing short of brilliant.
They're cooking up Sicilian-inspired dishes made using Yorkshire produce, like the tortellini in brodo with Yorkshire ham from Swaledale Butchers in Skipton.
Images: The Sheff
They're making their own focaccia daily, in fact our portion was cooked just twenty minutes prior to it being served to us, still steaming and utterly delicious.
There's a special selection of 'before you wait' cocktails on the list, with £5 negronis and dirty martinis that remain that price throughout the day. This is something more restaurants need to be doing, please.
You could come here and get a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta on your lunch break, or you could get comfy and indulge in three or four courses with a few cocktails. Either way, you'll be leaving very happy.
Images: The Sheff
This is elevated dining in a cosy, neighbourhood setting. Even the tiny touches have been thought of, including tiny bowls of Maldon salt on each table in case you need an extra sprinkling.
They're yet to open their bookings due to awaiting approval from the council, but for now you can pop by Maria to sample their preview menu and they'll welcome you in with open arms.
Have alookat this stunning, futuristic family home that's currently on the market.
If you've ever wanted to live in a home that resembles a spaceship, then boy oh boy have we got the home for you.
This is Bennetthorpe House over in Doncaster, a truly impressive architect designed family residence that's so swish it even featured on one of the very first episodes of Grand Designs.
Now that's an accolade.
Images: Rightmove
Set across three floors, the home has a whopping five bedrooms and three bathrooms as well as a gorgeous light-filled reception room. In fact, the whole home is flooded with light due to the sheer abundance of windows.
Designed to impress, the entrance hall doubles as a dining area and showcases some of the property's most eye-catching architectural features, including a striking glass staircase and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass block wall.
Images: Rightmove
Upstairs, the lavish bedroom suite comes complete with a walk-in dressing area and a sleek en-suite shower room.
The lower ground floor features a large bedroom, dedicated sitting area, en-suite bathroom and provides direct access to the property's double garage.
Certainly, it's not the sort of home to snuggle in front of the fire with a good book and get all cosy - but if you're a fan of all things modern and contemporary then it doesn't get much better than this.
Images: Rightmove
The best part? It can be yours for just £850,000...how can one resist? It's a small price to pay to feel like you're the star of Grand Designs every single day of your life.
To have a proper nosey at this one-of-a-kind property then take a look at the listing on Rightmove here.
Featured image - Rightmove (Fine & Country, Bawtry)
The Sheff
The best restaurants in Yorkshire named at prestigious National Restaurant Awards
Clementine Hall
The best restaurants in the UK have been named at the National Restaurant Awards – and Yorkshire has done pretty well for itself.
The prestigious awards took place last night, listing the top 100 places to eat in the entire UK.
Four restaurants in Yorkshire managed to make it into the top 100 of the country’s best restaurants.
Coming in at a very impressive number 13 is Sheffield restaurant JÖRO, who's year has gone from accolade to accolade after being awarded none other than a Michelin star back in February.
Often hailed as the city's best restaurant, JÖRO is run by husband-and-wife team Luke French and Stacey Sherwood.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They recently relocated into a bigger space near the edge of the Peak District in Oughtibridge, which has allowed them to expand their offerings.
Here's what the judges had to say: 'A much larger and better-equipped kitchen has allowed French - whose CV includes Midsummer House in Cambridge - to evolve his already finely-tuned and distinctive cooking style.'
JÖRO announced the news to Instagram, saying: "To be sat in a room filled with incredible people from across the industry is truly inspiring and being listed is something our younger selves only dreamed of achieving."
Over in Leeds, beloved neighbourhood bistro Bavette placed at number 83 where owners Sandy and Clement stated they were "Over the moon" to have made it onto the list.
Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Angel at Hetton came in at number 47 being declared as a 'Yorkshire institution' whilst The Star Inn at Harome took number 78 as one of the first pubs in England to be awarded a Michelin star.
Clementine Hall -
20th March 2026 
