Green Room steps into autumn with new rooftop garden collaborating with Leeds finest.

As the temperature drops and the leaves begin to fall, award-winning Green Room is preparing to embrace the autumnal season with its forthcoming Winter Garden. Debuting on Wednesday 20th September, the roof terrace will be transformed into a cosy winter haven which is fully covered, complete with fire pits, heat lamps covering the roof top, creating the perfect hideaway for those upcoming dark nights.

As we move away from Halloween and into November, the Winter Garden will receive a striking festive makeover as we edge toward Christmas. Green Room’s commitment to working with some of the best local independent brands also continues with a string of exciting collaborations.

Kitchen takeover

A kitchen takeover by Braizin Squad will see the infamous trio of chefs bring their unique twist on all things smoked to the winter and Christmas menus. As well as a tempting selection of flavour-packed dishes available every day, Braizin Squad, who we’re voted one of the top 20 roasts in the UK last year, will be serving up Green Room’s first-ever Sunday roast and festive menus.

The Sunday roast menu will include Grilled Beef Rump Cap with beef jus, Porchetta with apple cider jus and a Butternut Squash Wellington with mushroom and pumpkin gravy.

Braizin Squad’s Jamie Marrion said:

‘’When the Green Room team asked us to takeover over the kitchen, helping them move in a new direction, it was a no brainer for us. We can’t wait to unveil the new menus and show off what we’re all about. The three of us are very passionate when it comes to what separates a good roast from a great one, and we’re confident you won’t find a roast like ours anywhere in Leeds!’’

‘’Green Room is the perfect fit for us. We’re honoured to be handed the reigns to create their first full Christmas menu, we think it’s going to blow everyone away - keep an eye out for the menu reveal coming very soon.’’

Homeboy's Pizza

Every Monday and on quiz night Tuesdays, Homeboy’s Pizza will be taking over the terrace, serving up slices of their celebrated New York/Neapolitan hybrid to the post-work crowd.

Green Room have also spiced up their drinks menu, making their busy bar an essential destination for cocktail aficionados or anyone looking to catch up afterwork over a bottle of wine. The classic cocktail selection is complemented with bespoke creations ranging from the sweet and zesty Honey Pineapple Margarita, Bakewell Mi Tai and the boozy Dead Red Zombie which is perfect for Halloween.

A selection of warming winter specials ideal for those chilly nights. As well as Mulled Wine and Mulled Cider, guests opting for Boozy Hot Chocolate can take their pick from Amaretto, spiced rum, Bailey's, whiskey or cherry liqueur.

The team are also be collaborating with the likes of Kirkstall Brewery, Wolfe Bros Gin, Northern Monk and wine experts Mathew Clarke, ensuring Green Room represents the best local independent drink brands.

Friday and Saturday nights will still bring the party with a selection of local musical talent taking over the downstairs bar to entertain you through the winter months.

Speaking ahead of the Winter Garden opening, Will Habergham said:

‘’After another phenomenal year that’s seen our brand grow and evolve in a really positive way, we’re really proud to present our Winter Garden in 2023. As well as some great collabs with some of our favourite brands, it’s also going to be the first time we’ve done a full Christmas menu and Braizin Squad has nailed it.’’

‘’We’re looking forward to an amazing autumn and winter season and can’t wait to get feedback from our guests.’’

Meanwood Tavern announces new kitchen residency as Pizza Loco is set to launch in September

The Meanwood Tavern, the north-Leeds pub owned by Whitelock’s Ale House, has announced a new kitchen residency.

The Meanwood Tavern opened in September 2022 and has hosted Well Oiled Detroit Style Pizza as kitchen residents for the past 12 months.

The next food residency will be Pizza Loco, the Leeds-based neo-Neapolitan pizza experts who run an award-winning pizzeria in Oakwood. Pizza Loco was founded in 2014 by pioneering pizza chef Ollie Reynolds, and has earned a reputation as one of Leeds’ best pizza joints - earning a 4.8* ranking on Google and winning the Sustainability Award at the Leeds 2023 YEP Oliver Awards.

Pizza Loco make classic 12” Neapolitan pizzas with a contemporary twist, alongside Panuozzi - their legendary pizza-dough sandwiches, using sustainable, British ingredients. Ollie Reynolds, founder and Executive Chef says “We love traditional Italian pizza, and we also love to experiment - our pizzas aren’t just about what the Neapolitan ‘rules’ stipulate!”. Expect soft, light and airy crusts, with interesting, generous toppings and an emphasis on sustainable British ingredients including Wildfarmed UK-grown and milled organic flour, Yorkshire-grown organic tomatoes, and British charcuterie.

Pizza Loco launches at The Meanwood Tavern on Thursday 7th September.

• The Meanwood Tavern is owned by Ed Mason who also owns Whitelock’s Ale House and is a co-founder of The Five Points Brewing Group

• The Meanwood Tavern opened in September 2022 in the north Leeds suburb of Meanwood

• Pizza Loco take over the kitchen from Thursday 7th September

• Plans include weekday lunchtime opening which will showcase Pizza Loco’s legendary Panuozzi pizza-dough butties

• Well Oiled, the Detroit Style Pizza brand founded by James Newman, finishes its residency run on Sunday 3rd September

Whitelock’s and Meanwood Tavern Managing Director Ed Mason said:

We love Ollie’s pizzas - Pizza Loco is one of the best pizza restaurants in the region, and when Ollie told us he wanted to join us at The Meanwood Tavern we jumped at the opportunity. Ollie’s passion, and ethos of supporting local indie food suppliers matches our own!

We have loved working with the Well Oiled team the past twelve months and wish them all the best - it’s been an exciting journey and their pizza is amazing - and with Pizza Loco, we’re pleased to have found someone with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality!

Check out the Meanwood Tavern page.

Farmhouse: Beloved Harrogate brunch spot heading to Leeds with second venue

One of Harrogate’s most popular brunch spots is heading to central Leeds with its second venue towards the end of summer. Farmhouse, an independently owned restaurant specialising in breakfast, brunch and all-day dishes, will reside in the former ASK Italian on Lands Lane.

Customers can expect hearty portions of high-quality and locally sourced homemade food, premium drinks, and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere.

Farmhouse will open between the hours of 8am and 5pm, serving up a globally inspired selection of dishes ranging from brunch classics with a twist to burgers, Japanese rice bowls and inspired plant-based options.

Loyal followers

Celebrated Chef Tom Hunter will head up the kitchen of the 100-cover restaurant, bringing with him over 10 years of experience. Hunter’s work will be familiar to regulars that dined in The Reliance, where his irresistible and reassuringly unpretentious culinary skills earned the now-defunct dining spot an army of loyal followers.

Farmhouse owner Jordan Aspinall, himself a chef with over 14 years in the industry, will be working across both sites to ensure the Leeds venue replicates the success of the flagship restaurant. Tom and Jordan are currently crafting the new Leeds menu, which will include some Farmhouse favourites, alongside some new dishes with a focus on fresh Yorkshire produce.

Diners can expect to start their day with exceptional coffee, blended with partners Union coffee roasters to accompany delights such as the indulgent Cinnamon Graham French Toast, Farmhouse Benedict with poached eggs, crispy halloumi, and turkey bacon, and Chilli Scrambled Egg with bacon and parmesan.

World foods

Nibbles and starters include crispy Bubble Red Shrimp with curry mayo, Zucchini Frites with Indian sweet chilli sauce, and Crispy Jackfruit Bao with kimchi and gochujang. The generously portioned mains options range from a tasty Vegan Duck Stir Fry with chilli jam and a juicy plant-based hot dog, to Surf & Turf with bavette steak, Argentinian prawns and lobster hollandaise sauce.

The Farmhouse bar will offer up everything from flavour-packed smoothies to beers, wine and bespoke cocktail creations. Speaking ahead of the launch, Jordan said:

‘’We are super excited to open in Leeds and can’t wait to bring our unique take on world foods to the city, without being tied down to any specific style of cuisine. We create our tried and tested favourites, with no trick cooking, no clever marketing just good food served by friendly people.’’

‘’We originally looked for a restaurant in Leeds in 2019 when we opened in Harrogate, and so this has been in our minds for quite some time. I’m confident we’ve found the perfect site for our second farmhouse and can't wait to bring our amazing brunch to Leeds city centre.’’

www.farmhouse.biz