There's a winter terrace, unreal cocktails and some of the tastiest food around available- all with panoramic city views.
Combining traditional Japanese cuisine with contemporary decor and a sophisticated flair, Issho is the only place you'll want to lost track of time by wining and dining away the afternoon in the city centre.
Issho – meaning ‘together’ in Japanese – is conveniently located on the third floor of Victoria Gate overlooks the city, and at twilight captures Leeds in all of its glory. Think lilac skies fading into a midnight blue, whilst sat on cosy blanketed seats, sipping cocktails without a care.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The twinkle of the nights sky truly captures the essence of the bar and restaurant here. Calm, quiet but full of surprises- and that's before you've set foot indoors.
Inside guests are welcomed by a roaring fire so that even if it's snowing outside on the high street, the lobby and indoor seating remains warm and cosy.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Offering a contemporary twist on traditional Izakaya dining, the bar staff are ready to offer just about any cocktail imaginable- all beautifully decorated with dried fruit and herbs.
If you're doing Dry January, there's even refreshing non-alcoholic mocktails available that taste similar to their boozy predecessors.
The Shisho Smash from Issho is made from Seedlip Spice 94, an alcohol-free spirit distilled in the same way as an other spirit: just without the boozy bit. It’s a sophisticated blend of Allspice berries and Cardamom, mixed in with lime juice, sugar syrup, elderflower cordial and topped with Shisho leaves.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But for those not partaking in Dry Jan, The Ki No Bi cocktail menu is full of delicious flavours that are unparalleled to any of the cocktail bars nearby.
The Ki No Shokan comprises of Ki No Bi Dry with Mancino Sakura Vermouth and homemade lemon and thyme syrup. Sweet, with a moorish after taste, you won't want to waste a drop of this one. Unless you've had chance to try Akuma City, a Ki No Bi cocktail with Ki No Bi Dry, Akashi-Tai Plum Sake, Lillet Blanc, homemade Japanese pepper syrup and Angostura bitter.
The Hana Sensei is the crown jewels of the menu and should be treated as such. Shaken to perfection and derived from a combination of Ki No Sei, Dom Benedictine, violette liquor and cardamom bitters, it tastes exactly like parma violets- and no, we don't mean the Wetherspoons parma violet gin.
This sophisticated cocktail has truly embodied the flavour of those sugary snacks, right down to the fizz on your tongue; it's truly something special, and more than justifies the £13.50 price tag.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Yuki Sapporo cocktail menu is paired with a selection of seasonal dishes that bring the best of Japanese fine-dining to the third floor of Victoria Gate.
Three small plates and a range of dipping sauces are served, including Tiger Prawn and chilli butter, Chicken Karaage, wasabi mayo, Yasai Tempura, seasonal vegetables and tempura sauce.
If melt in your mouth chicken is your craving on a cold winter's afternoon: you're in for a real treat, especially if you use the wasabi mayo as a dipping sauce.
The Chicken Karaage, followed by a bite of the Yasai Tempura, that's a combination of asparagus and prawn tempura, will leave you with a sensory sensation very rarely found in Leeds-Japanese foodie scene: it's not just the taste that delights, but the texture and visual appeal too.
It's not just afternoon small plates and winter warmers that Issho specialise in, their bottomless afternoon tea is renowned in Leeds as one of the best around. Offering ninety minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside its Japanese-style afternoon tea, for £47.50.
As part of the experience, you’ll enjoy unlimited prosecco as you tuck into a host of delicate Japanese finger-food treats. The selection here is split into three: spanning sushi, savoury and sweet, and also includes a selection of fine Japanese and English teas.
If you're looking for somewhere for a special occasion that requires a zen atmosphere to unwind and treat yourself, we really can't think of anywhere better.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
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 -
7th January 2022 
