The Asian Curry Awards nominees for 2023 have been revealed, and five of them are right here in Leeds.
The annual Asian Curry Awards celebrate the very best of Asian cuisine across the UK.
The awards covers a hole host of Asian cuisine, including: Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.
A whopping 200 venues across the UK have been shortlisted, and they will go up against one another to a public online vote.
Image: Rosa's Thai
The finalists will then be assessed by a panel of expert judges from the Asian Catering Federation, who will then go on to decide the overall winners for each category.
The winners will be announced at a dinner in London on Sunday 19 November, hosted by news BBC presenter Samantha Simmonds.
Nine curry hotspots from Yorkshire have been shortlisted, including five right here in Leeds. And we can't say we are surprised, as a few of these are out favourite spots to grab a curry in and out of the city centre.
The Leeds restaurants shortlisted for the Asian Curry Awards 2023:
Akbar's, Eastgate
Café Le Raj, Bramhope
Rosa's Thai, Trinity Shopping Centre
Indian Tiffin Room, Park Row
Lala's Restaurant, Pudsey
The other Yorkshire restaurants nominated are MyLahore in Bradford, Shama Bingley, Dishi in Sheffield and Everest Gurkha in York.
We've got our fingers crossed for one of our local fantastic venues to win, of course and you can help by voting for your favourite restaurant here on the Asian Curry Awards website.
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
This iconic Leeds pub is selling 25p pints for the weekend alongside a 70’s-inspired menu
Clementine Hall
Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds are turning back the clocks for four days only.
Ever fancied giving time travel a go? Well now's your chance, as a historic Leeds pub are looking back to time gone by for the weekend.
Whitelock's Ale House are collaborating with Double Diamond beer, an iconic British pale ale made popular in the 70's and now somewhat having a resurgence.
From this Thursday 26 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, pints of Double Diamond will be available for just 25p.
Yep, you can't even get a Freddo for 25p these days let alone a cold, refreshing pint.
Guests will be able to grab their first pint of Double Diamond for 25p along with a nostalgic specials menu from the Whitelock's kitchen.
And if you know anything about their food, it's always class so this specials menu will be absolutely no exception.
The specials menu includes a french onion quiche, a coronation chicken sandwich, gammon, pineapple, egg and chips and to top it all off, a raspberry Swiss roll with custard.
You can get three courses for just £30 and you can either pre-order or order individually when you're there.
This is set to be a real blast from the past, so rally your mates together and prepare for a trip down memory lane and for what could be the cheapest pint of your life.
You can find out more and book your table at Whitelock's Ale House here.
Clementine Hall -
20th September 2023 
