If you thought you knew afternoon tea, think again.
Mans Market is known and loved in Leed for its amazing bottomless brunches, instagrammable cocktails and creative flair of brightly coloured decor inside its underground location in Leeds city centre.
Having been highly recommended by the Sunday Times, we're convinced that Mans Market has received nothing but glowing reviews since its opening, but it's their Afternoon Chi concept that's got us talking non-stop about dim sum in 2022.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Based on the traditional afternoon tea, Mans Market have replaced those boring finger sandwiches and petit fours with all your favourite dishes to create the ultimate afternoon experience- with plenty of booze included.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into the underground restaurant with a glass of fizz, but have plenty of chances to grab cocktails galore during their stay. Think signature boozy mizes like Mans 75, made up of Tanqueray London Dry, Lychee, Lemon and Prosecco or even grab a Bubblegum Daiquiri just an extra fiver.
Miami Splice cocktail. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're doing Dry January or just don't fancy getting boozy in the afternoon, there are loads of non-alcoholic options for you to choose from too. Not only can you get three varieties of tea: Yorkshire (obviously), Jasmine or green tea, but there's soft drinks and a whole range of mocktails on offer too.
The Kobe Tai can be made as a non-alcoholic option and we're obsessed with how much it looks like its boozy predecessor- it even comes with a little shot of lemonade. The Bubblegum Daiquiri and plenty more can be made upon request too- just ask at the bar.
Bubblegum Daiquiri mocktail. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
In classic Mans Market style, the menu is there to guide guests through the choices they make before you clip your 'Feed Me' sign to the rope on the ceiling to get the waitress' attention.
Aware that the way to people's hearts (and stomachs) is to give us our favourite foods, every dish on the menu comes with a multiple choice of toppings. Guests are invited to choose a bao bun- with crispy roast duck or Panko tofu, before selecting from four different dim sum options.
Think handfuls of Chicken Gyoza, Pork War Tip Dumplings, Mushroom Corn and vegan-friendly Bamboo Dumplings, each swirled and dunked into sweet chilli or soy sauce before making your way onto vegan spring rolls and snack on Lotus Crisps with chilli and spring onions.
This really is the epitome of a unique afternoon tea, perfect for all Chinese food connoisseurs and those that love a bit of dim sum after a few drinks with respective interest.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Desserts are even included as part of the package- there's Matcha Moochi with strawberries, Yuzu and Vanilla cheesecake or a vegan-friendly brownie to choose from- each of which come as highly recommended as the next.
If you're still hungry, extra dim sum is available for just £3.50 extra, this time replacing dumplings with Salt and Pepper Chicken or Tofu, Satay Chicken dishes or four more Chef Mans Spring Rolls.
Given the entire menu comes to £16.50 per person, it's an absolute steal. Given Mans Market's non-stop glowing reviews and their steady stream of foodies coming through their doors, make sure you book yourself in well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The Afternoon Chi is available every Wednesday - Friday from 2 - 5pm each day. If you want to beat the January blues, make sure to quote JAN30 upon booking for 30% off the entire menu every Wednesday and Thursday (max table of eight people per booking).
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Domo
Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.
Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.
Kontrast
84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds. Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.
Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist. With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.
We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.
The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.
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.
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
