Beer gardens not Brexit as Leeds springs into new party nights

Jordan Odu lunching at Lost and Found

Brexit? Let’s just talk beer garden weather instead.

You won’t hear me complaining about losing an hour this weekend, because clocks going forward means only one thing. Beer garden and roof top terrace time is almost upon us.

Yes, Spring has officially landed and with it comes an excuse to indulge in a wardrobe full of fresh, summery threads and a new pair of shades to match. Or possibly three, judging by a few things I’ve seen in the Victoria Quarter.

As the new season drops, my favourite dining spots also bring new menus to the table – and we’re in for a treat.

First up, the award-winning Vice & Virtue team are back with some delectable new dishes at the uber-cool Dough in the City. This laid-back joint splices a trendy London pub with a bar and restaurant, creating one of the city’s most unique eateries. The ox cheek with truffle mash will rock the most discerning of foodie’s worlds, especially washed down with a Yorkshire iced tea.Another place I recently swung by for a sample (eg. ate loads) was the Lost & Found in the former Leeds Club building. Not only does it boast stunning décor and a secret gin bar, but it also delivers a food offering equally as impressive.

Get lost in the botanical vibe and new menu at Lost and Found.

I was sold on the grilled sea bass, served on a banana leaf with sticky coconut rice and coconut, ginger and lemongrass sauce, taking me straight back to a beach restaurant in Thailand. I washed this down with a suitably tropical Nassau Punch cocktail, which blends banana chip infused Wray & Nephew rum, overproof rum, limoncello, pineapple, orange, lime and Angostura bitters to create summer in a glass.

Across the city in the rapidly expanding Arena Quarter, Blue Sakura is taking Japanese cuisine to new levels, with their premium all-you-can-eat concept. The restaurant in itself is beautiful, mixing modern industrial style with Japanese twists to great effect.

Blue Sakura doing Japanese dining ultra modern and sleek.

And then there’s the food, which you order via an iPad. There are over 100 dishes to choose from, including tuna maki rolls, crab meat sashimi and grilled sirloin steak. Trust me, this is a million miles away from your dime a dozen buffet and one to check out in 2019 if you love the taste of Japan.

With the sunny weather starting to creep back in, it’s time for me to mention beer gardens once again.

The Lamb & Flag unveiled it revamp recently and is set to be one of the places to go for post-work al fresco drinks. Their new menu lands next week but my go to is the Leeds Best battered fish and chips with a Leeds Brewery Monsoon.

Over at the Midnight Bell, we’ll be hosting Friday night barbecues throughout summer, where you can soak up local brews, gins and prosecco with sizzling grub straight off the barbie. I’ll keep you in the loop with dates and details.

Looking ahead to July, I can barely wait for The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics at Millennium Square. Last year’s event was truly magical, a 2018 highlight, and this year promises to be even better. Andy Cato from Groove Armada, Heather Small from M People, my good mate Sara Garvey and, of course, the legend that is Dave Beer will blow the roof off, just you wait and see.

That’s it for now – enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to put those clocks forward. Summer, my friends, is just around the corner.