SUNNYDEI: Eating Out

Krua Urban Thai - An Awesome Addition To South Austin's Food Scene

Since moving to Austin I’ve spent alot of my spare time checking out cool restaurants, bars and food trucks.

Eating out is definitely one of my ultimate favourite hobbies. I decided it’s time to start documenting my eating adventures again just as I did when I lived in England.
I’ve discovered that Austin has an amazing selection of tacos, BBQ and Mexican food however I’ve been disappointed with the lack of options for good authentic Thai food. I guess I was spoiled when I lived in Leeds, UK because we had not one but three amazing Thai street food restaurants pretty much across the street from where we lived. With another two outstanding more upscale Thai restaurants within 20 minute walking distance. I love food from different cuisines around the world but I crave good Thai food the most.

Bar Soba is probably one of the most eclectic and cool looking eateries in the whole of Leeds.

Trinity shopping centre is great, all of my favourite high street brands under one roof! They also offer late night shopping most evening which is really helpful as it doesn't limit shopping time to weekends. Trinity is also the home of Trinity kitchen, a very unique street food concept. If you've never been you absolutely must visit! They have five new temporary vendors come in every 8 weeks. Which means that Trinity Kitchen is a fab food stop for trying out new things. I got invited to sample some of the culinary delights offered by the new vendors on Burns night.

The Cocktail Experience - 3 Must Try Cocktails

Last year I went to the press event for The Cocktail Experience and had an awesome time sampling delicious drinks. It's an absolute must event for any cocktail lover and it's back! This year even bigger and better. I got invited to attend the press event again and decided to test out all the drinks so I can share with you my absolute favourites that you must try.

Amalthea Greek Cafe and Bistro Review

Although I spend a very significant amount of my outgoings on food and meals out I have to say that I haven’t really tried much Greek Food. I was absolutely delighted when a new independently owned Greek cafe and bistro Amalthea got in touch with me and invited me to try out their menu. They have many gluten free options and alternatives so I knew I would be in for a treat.

If you read my blog or know me personally then you'll know that I really love food. I love cooking, I love eating and I spend most of my disposable income on restaurant meals. Leeds is such a foodie city and I'm still constantly finding new restaurants that I haven't tried yet. Blackhouse Grill On The Square in Leeds happens to be one of them. Blackhouse has recently had a revamp and updated their food menu and I got invited to their Chefs Table Relaunch dinner.

The Potting Shed Bingley Review

Leeds as a city is an ultimate foodies dream, we have so many incredible restaurants all over the city but sometimes it's good to venture a little further out - Bingley to be precise! I got invited to try out the new menu at the Potting Shed in Bingley. From the outside The Potting Shed looks like any other pub but as soon as I stepped inside I was very pleasantly surprised.

Manahatta bar and restaurant in Leeds is situated on the bustling Merrion Street. It's a New York style bar and it's one of my favourite spots on a night out because of it's spacious, funky decor and great tunes.

Although I've danced many nights away on Manahattas dancefloor I have to say that I've never eaten there before...until now that is! I got invited to try the new healthy additions to the menu - power bowls and since I already love the place once the sun goes down I thought it was the perfect opportunity to see it in daylight for once too.

The Summer Menu at Malmaison Chez Mal Brasserie

Eating out is probably one of my very favourite pass times, what can I say I love food! It's fair to say that when the awesome Restaurants of Leeds invited me to come to the Malmaison to celebrate the launch of their new website and try out the summer menu in Chez Mal restaurant, I got very excited!

Eating Out - The Food Academy

I believe I have discovered Leeds best kept foodie secret - The Food Academy, a restaurant ran by Leeds City College studetns. I got invited for a complimentary four course meal to show off the talents of the students. I had never heard of The Food Academy so in all honesty I wasn't really sure what to expect but I'm never one to turn down a foodie opportunity. Well here's the spoiler alert - the food was absolutely amazing!

We got greeted with some Pimms cocktails and then sat down for our meal. Whilst we waited for the starters we were presented with some home baked sun dried tomato bread rolls, which the boy said was absolutely delicious. The staff were lovely though and presented me with some gluten free bread.

For our starters we had Veal and Goats Cheese Nugget which was served up with pickled beetroot, cucumber, spring onion and radish.

The restaurant catered for my gluten intolerance by serving up the dish without the breadcrumbs for me. It was so so good! There was such a gorgeous combination of flavours I would order this dish again and again in fact I would go as far as saying that it was one of my favourite starters I've ever had.

Eating Out - Gluten Free Menu at The New Conservatory

Having coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance sucks. Not only we have to cut out some of the best things in life like pizza and croissants but eating out can be difficult. Since having to go gluten free I've had so many awkward moments in restaurants. I usually have to double check everything that I order to ensure that it's safe or go to a really nice restaurant and then have to order a salad because they simply don't do 'gluten free' food. Leeds has such a big selection of great restaurants but unfortunately many of them don't have many gluten free options, that's why I was so excited to learn that the New Conservatory have a full gluten free menu! When they invited me over to try it, I simply couldn't say no!

3 New Bars & Restaurants You Need To Visit In Leeds

In Leeds we are spoilt for choice for food and drinks, the food and drink scene is great and lucky for us it's just got even better!

I've recently visited the following 3 bars / restaurants and I was so impressed that I decided you absolutely need to visit them too.

6 Restaurants You Need To Try In Leeds

Eating out has to be one of my favourite pass times. I absolutely love food and living in Leeds means that I'm spoiled for choice no matter what I'm in the mood for. Here's just 6 places that you need to try!

Bundobust Vegetarian Indian Street Food Review

The Leeds food scene is pretty awesome. There's so many amazing new places popping up all the time. In the last couple of years street food has become my favourite food trend in Leeds. If you love great food and craft beer then you must pay Bundobust a vist.

Brunch at Ox Club Leeds

Having a full time job means that I absolutely love the weekend. I get to go to sleep without worrying about my alarm going off in the morning and I don't have to have a rushed microwaveable porridge for breakfast. In fact Monday to Friday breakfast is my absolute least favourite meal, however Brunch is a different story. Brunch means you can eat whatever you want. You can have pancakes or eggs or meat and it doesn't matter because it's lunch and breakfast in one!

Over the summer months Leeds had a pop up Rum bar - The Rum Shack, which everyone I know absolutely adored. Fast forward a few month and the Hedonist Project are back with with a more permanent and more polished location. The concept is very simple. Every 3 months they will change the bars concept. This will include changing the decor, the food menu, the drinks and even the name.

Inkwell Arts Vegetarian Cafe in Chappel Allerton

A couple of weeks ago, my friend suggested that for our lunch date we go somewhere a little different. Both of us spend most of our time in Leeds city centre so we decided to venture out to Chappel Allerton. She told me about Inkwell Arts Cafe, which is a vegetarian cafe set in a creative art space in Chappel Allerton.

Inkwell Art space is part of Leeds Mind Project, a national registered Charity supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Pie & Beer at Shooters Sports Bar Leeds

Like sports? In particular Rugby and Football? Throughout the Rugby World Cup Shooters are offering a pie and beermatch up for each of the competing nations.

One very chilly and sunny Sunday I and some other lovely local bloggers got invited to a Wine Tasting at The Decanter in Leeds. The Decanter is a very cosy and sophisticated wine bar nestled on the Headrow. Their decor is beautiful, classic and timeless and the atmosphere of the bar is really intimate.

In the last few years, it seems that my taste buds have matured and now I really do enjoy a good glass of red or white wine, however I'm by no means an expert.

First impressions

I've popped in to Bar Soba in Leeds for a quick drink not too long after it first opened. I came in with my friends for a quick after work drink on a Thursday night. We had our drink at the downstairs bar and then left ( I had no idea there was an upstairs!!) I thought that the decor had some cool touches but was by no means blown away by the bar.