Jordan Odu's hot tips on the best Leeds has to offer from pizza to pasta and partying

On Monday we launched Rudy’s in Leeds, who had a big reputation to live up to as the UK’s best place for Neapolitan pizza.

Well, I’ve never been to Napoli, but if the pizza there is half as good as the Carni loaded with three different salamis then I’m there. It really does live up to the hype, so do check them out.

Just a few weeks back we launched the brilliant Pazza, whose fresh pasta pop-up concept has taken up residence in Bond Street’s MOD Pizza. The DJ provided the perfect soundtrack to the buzzing atmosphere and the food was super tasty. You can make your own pasta dish if you like, but for me it was the creamy 'chicken and chorizo in alfredo sauce' all the way.

My final affair with everything Italian was at Park Row’s Gino D’Acampo’s, where I was won over with his new 15 bottle Prosecco menu. Ranging from reasonable to blow the budget, the impressive Ferghettina Franciacorta Milledi was the standout tipple for me which partnered perfectly with the Fetticcine Bolognese ordered from the new lunch menu. It’s the perfect lunch spot for business or pleasure.

Moving closer to my neck of the woods for a Mexican twist, I was recently wowed at Hessian. The casual dining spot is in good company with Chophaus and Preston’s all nearby, and takes a refreshing approach to Mexican staples. The 'surf and turf tacos' with flat iron steak and king prawns proved to be a great hangover cure.

With spring on the horizon, I’ve already begun filling up my calendar with local festivals – and there’s plenty to go at in 2020. Inner City are early to the party this year (Saturday March 7) and I can’t wait to see Orbital and Craig Richards at various venues across the city.

After that, it’s all about Made in Leeds. They’re going large for 2020 with their first stadium festival, where a mix of local and global acts will be taking to stage. It’s going to be awesome to see Detroit legend MK tear up the dancefloor in my hometown on Saturday June 27.

Moving on from dance music, I’m switching to a bit of unashamed cheese as the Popworld Festival rolls into Millennium Square on Saturday August 1. With 5ive, Fatman Scoop, S Club and headliner Peter Andre confirmed, it’s going to be a massive day of guilty pleasures.

If you’re ‘out out’ in town this weekend, then you should get yourself down to Revolución de Cuba. They’ve just this week revealed their new partnership with my go-to rum brand, Havana Club. To celebrate, they’ve crafted their most exotic cocktail menu to date with no less than 20 different creations to choose from. The Cuban Iced Tea is amazing and packed with no less than four different rums.

Across the road, Malmaison has also just released a mouth-watering new menu, with such delights as the Sparkling Blood Orange Mimosa and the creamy Resolution Sour. Well worth a detour.

Finally, I’m pleased to announce that we’re bringing the Cocktail Experience back to the city on Saturday May 2. Once again taking place at the iconic Faversham, with a daytime festival vibe, you can expect a fun filled day of amazing cocktails from some of the best bars in the city