The verdict: fake meat never did taste so good, even to non-vegans.
Vegetarians and vegans in Leeds are likely to be aware of the culinary masterminds at Bundobust. Widely regarded as a game changing and critically acclaimed enterprise within the independent food and drink industry, Bundobust has forged itself as a beacon of successful casual dining in the North since opening its doors in Leeds back in 2014.
Now, in an era where meat substitutes taste just as good as their vegan alternatives, the Indian Street Food company have collaborated with Meatless Farm to inject meaty-tasting dishes to their plant-based menu.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Inspired by its Gujarati roots, the Bundobust offering has always been 100% vegetarian, with around two thirds of the menu completely plant-based but this partnership marks the restaurant’s first venture into meat substitutes with Meatless Farm’s plant-based chicken and meatless mince allowing the Bundo team to explore more traditionally meat-focused Indian dishes.
The only way to try the full menu is the Bundo Does Meat Combo for Two, available for just £31. As meat-eaters and vegetarians, The Hoot Leeds' team took on the sharing platter to give our two pence to see if we could tell which meat was being replicated by each dish.
The Keema Matar was a standout favourite. The iconic mince and pea combination is a plant-based deeply flavoured spiced curry, cooked in a classic, dry-fry Karai style with cinnamon, bay leaf, onion, and chilli- delicious wrapped in Puri.
The plant-based butter chicken was also well received. The vegan spin on the decadent, creamy classic with Meatless Farm’s new chicken has all the rich, tomatoey goodness of traditional butter chicken with plant-based kick of chilli and fenugreek, just without any real meat.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We'd like to take this space to shoutout the onion bhajis at Bundobust- they're crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and every crumb tastes of an incredible fusion of spices. Dare we say they're the best we've found in Leeds so far?
Paired with Mushroom Pilau Rice, a simple dish of mushrooms, cumin, and lemon with classic basmati rice and Puri, we'd happily taste any of the Bundos Does Meat combo instead of our classic meat or cheese fuelled curry orders. There's not the same food coma feel- you're still left full, but refreshingly so rather than making you feel tired.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Although refreshing post-meal feeling might have something to do with the Brut Luxe, a special vegan 0.5% brew made with Nelson Sauvin hops and white oak on a lager base, and that upon sampling didn't make us feel like we were missing out on actual booze.
If you want a completely soft drink to wash down your Bundo's meat, there's plenty of those to choose from too. Including the Cloudwater Soda’s Spiced Fruit Chaat, a low-cal adult soft drink made with mango, pineapple, passion fruit, and Mosaic hops or Bundo’s Vegan Chai, a comforting blend of oat milk, massala and sugar – plant-based, gluten-free and delicious.
When speaking about the new menu, Mayur Patel, Co-Founder at Bundobust, said: "These specials are something we’ve been working on for months. We experimented with a selection of meat substitutes, and Meatless Farm products lent themselves best to Indian food. Both Bundobust and Meatless Farm are Leeds born businesses focusing on meat-free offerings, so it made sense to work together on these new limited edition specials.”
Meanwhile, Co-Founder Marko Husak, said: “These dishes are different to our usual Gujarati influenced menu. It was so much fun working with our Chef’s using their regional expertise and heritage to create some more traditional curry house dishes.”
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is available for a limited time only, so make sure you make the most of Veganuary and use it as an excuse to taste the famous Bundo flavours in a whole new way. For more information, including how to book at their Leeds restaurant, you can find more information on their website.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
Sophie Smith -
14th January 2022 
