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).
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
