New 80 seater South Indian coastal boutique eatery, Ma-Hé, is set to open inside the Merrion Centre this summer.
Ma-Hé will bring a unique style of South Indian coastal cookery to The Merrion Centre later this year.
The new restaurant will showcase five different cuisines from India's coastlines, with a carefully crafted menu containing an array of small plates from five main regions including Goa, Mangalore, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra.
The innovative concept is not only the first of it's kind in Leeds, but in the whole of the UK.
Image: Supplied
And it's not just about the food, guests will enter a dining room designed with the essence of the botanical waters of Coastal India, with natural interiors, fresh plant installations and rattan lights emitting a golden sunset glow for diners to experience the ambiance of warm and joyful Indian nights.
Ma-Hé is the brainchild of a partnership between founders Shyam Sundar Bhaskaran, a fine dining chef with 5-star hotel chains in India, Manoj Varma, who has more than two decades of experience within the hospitality industry, alongside eminent local business partner, Mason Asgha, who had travelled across India for over 20 years.
Image: Supplied
Manoj Varma, founding partner, Ma-Hé, said: “This is a passion project for the whole team at Ma-hē. Shyam is a first-class chef with his knowledge of the Indian peninsula spanning more than 20 years meaning he is a true pioneer in this style of food.
"I consider myself a very passionate foodie with a vast knowledge of Indian peninsula food. I’ve been eating and cooking this style of cuisine for more than 35 years and have visited some of the top restaurants within the region. I am excited to bring the very best selection from all five places onto our menu and relish introducing to the people of Leeds and beyond to this unique culinary experience.”
To find out more about Ma-Hé, take a look at their website.
One of Yorkshire's most celebrated restaurants, The Box Tree, has announced a £500,000 investment in the future of the business.
Set within one of Ilkley's oldest buildings, The Box Tree is a renowned restaurant that has been a defining name in British fine dining since 1962.
Originally a 1720 stone farmhouse, The Box Tree became one of the North's most celebrated restaurants, earning two Michelin stars in 1977 and establishing a legacy shaped by chefs including the one and only Marco Pierre White.
And now, The Box Tree is heading in a brand-new direction having received a £500,000 investment.
Images: Supplied
From August, the restaurant will temporarily close before reopening on early September, unveiling a new dining experience that honours more than 60 years of heritage and history.
The refurbishment will be led by award-winning interior designers Studio Two, who's work is known for creating spaces that are both timeless and individual.
Alongside the refreshed interiors, guests can look forward to an enhanced dining experience, where every element has been thoughtfully considered to complement Head Chef, Brayden Davies' modern approach to British cuisine.
But before closing its doors for refurbishment, The Box Tree will present The Box Tree: Eras – a limited four-week dining series celebrating defining moments from the restaurant's culinary journey.
Head Chef, Brayden Davies said: "The Box Tree has an incredible history, and before we begin the next chapter, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate everything that has come before it.
"The Eras dinners are inspired by the chefs, dishes and moments that have shaped the restaurant over the decades, while reflecting where we are today. At the same time, we're incredibly excited about what's ahead. This investment is a huge vote of confidence in The Box Tree and allows us to create a dining experience that reflects where we are today while respecting everything that makes this restaurant so special."
10 of the best beer gardens, rooftops and terraces in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Summer is here and the sun has got its hat on, so there's only one place for it.
It's not often that it's hot enough to sit outside and enjoy a cold, crisp pint here in England.
So when it is, we've got to take advantage of it and spend as much time as possible basking in that sweet sunshine.
We've chosen 10 of our favourite beer gardens and rooftop bars for you to gather with your mates, have a couple pints and soak up those rays. Just promise us you won't forget your suncream.
Green Room
36 Wellington St, LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Lees
Whether it be a weekday or weekend, Green Room's sprawling roof terrace right in the centre of town is always busy and buzzing with an electric atmosphere.
Here you'll find pints from local breweries, cocktails, spritzes as well as live DJs and foodie popups.
Waterlane Boathouse
Canal Wharf, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 5PS
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fancy a pint with a lovely chilled atmosphere and relaxing canal side views? Waterlane Boathouse is the one for you.
There's plenty of seats in their beer garden meaning you won't be waiting long if it's full, and there's always some banging drink offers on too so you can get more booze for your buck.
Belgrave Music Hall
Cross Belgrave St, LS2 8JP
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this one is an absolute classic, especially for the students - but all for good reason.
Their rooftop terrace offers plenty of spaces for large groups around painted picnic benches, parasols and pergolas cover the immediate sunlight so that basking in the heat is manageable without having to keep your sunnies on all afternoon. You've have to walk a fair amount of steps to get to the top though, but it's well worth it.
The Original Oak
2 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2DG
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you’re a student looking for some sports action, you’ll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop.
You can catch the latest Leeds United games throughout the rest of the season in the sunlight as the pub shows all the sports on their huge outdoor TV screen and you can bet that there will be plenty of space for you to join the crowd.
Headrow House
19a The Headrow, LS1 6PU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just like Belgrave, Headrow House has a rooftop beer garden that offers panoramic city views.The beer garden is decked out with greenery between the picnic benches and truly does offer an intimate hiding place from the city centre down below.
They've also always got some great DJs playing, so if you're looking for a spot to transition from day to night - this is the one.
Whitelock's Ale House
Turk's Head Yard, LS1 6HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Leeds' oldest pub, Whitelock's Ale House, is tucked away off Briggate at Turk's Head Yard. Here you'll find a gorgeous terrace with wooden booths that are decorated with festoon lighting and covers for if the heavens open. Which let's be honest, is a regular occurance.
Beck and Call
Stainbeck Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 2NP
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Nestled in lovely Chapel Allerton, the Beck and Call is a proper family pub with a sprawling beer garden. No frills, great drinks and plenty of room to soak up the sun. What more could you want?
A Nation of Shopkeepers
26-27 Cookridge St, LS2 3AG
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Nation of Shopkeepers' beer garden is one of the worst kept secrets in Leeds, but given it's a full courtyard's worth of outdoor drinking space right in the heart of the city, it's not exactly a surprise that everyone loves drinking here.
Serving up food and drink into the early hours basking in the sun trap or sheltering from a midday shower under the umbrella and pergola, this is an ideal day drinking spot for all weather in Leeds.
Piglove by the River
Clarence Rd, LS10 1EE
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a real beer fan, then get yourself to Piglove Brewery where just outside of town you'll find a sunny oasis that'll have you feeling like you're outside of Leeds entirely.
Their riverside taproom right next to the River Aire features riverside benches for the sunny days and a heated indoor area for the rainier ones, open from Wednesday to Sunday.
White Cloth Hall
27 Crown Street, LS2 7DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Leeds' newest all-day drinking and dining destination, White Cloth Hall, has a lovely sun-drenched terrace for you to enjoy. This is a fab spot if you fancy some fabulous street food, from Mexican tacos and steak sandwiches to charcuterie boards and fluffy focaccia pizza slices.
The drinks are also class too, with a great wine list and plenty of expertly crafted cocktails to choose from.
Clementine Hall -
14th July 2023 
