Go green for veganuary without missing out on your favourite treats.
According to EcoZone, beef farms are responsible for 37% of methane emissions- so if you're planning to make your life a little greener in 2022, veganuary is a great way to ditch the meat and the carbon footprint.
If you're looking to eat out whilst testing out a plant-based diet this January, look no further than The Box. The popular sports bar can be found in and around Leeds: both in the city centre and Headingley, you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine here, but it's the bar's veganuary offers that have got us walking through their doors this January.
Full to the brim with the tastiest vegan junk food, BOX’s menu is set to include a game-changing “Not” Dog, which comes fully loaded with jalapenos, ketchup and mayo, served on a brioche bun. This is supplied by Moving Mountains who are known for their amazingly authentic meat substitutes which taste exactly like the real thing.
Their meat-free “Meatball” Pizza, topped with melted mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes and caramelised onion, is also set to be the perfect option for beginner vegans looking to try something new.
Finally, if you're looking for a vegan dessert that still includes your favourite sweet cravings like chocolate and ice cream, you're in for a treat. Customers can try a tasty vegan dessert courtesy of fellow Leeds based suppliers with the Brown and Blonde Lotus Biscoff Brownie, topped with Northen Bloc salted caramel dairy-free ice cream.
Oh, and did we mention all dishes are half price in January? Just make sure to book in advance and make sure you arrive at a time when the offer is active (peak times like a Saturday, the offer doesn't apply) to avoid disappointment.
Running from Tuesday 4 January 2022 until the end of the month, you can get your vegan foodie fix across all of The Box's three locations (they have a spot on Deansgate in Manchester too if you’re heading that way this Christmas).
Pornstar Martini, served in steins. / Image: The Box
Whilst you're there, you can also grab the likes of 2-for-1 cocktails, pornstar martinis, served by the stein and the best live games over January at The Box as you tuck into your half-price, plant-based meal.
Feature Image- The Box
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 -
27th December 2021 
