• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Take Aways

Leeds LS1 2JG
0113 245 1159

mrhappy said
The perfect hangover cure
Like all the other Centre Fillings in Leeds (you could tour them all in about 5 minutes), you're getting the proper 'caff' takeaway from here. Sausages or bacon, on a white bap with red or brown sauce.

No need for sophistication, it does what it does and does it well!

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Leeds LS2 3ED

mrhappy said

The Fenton is right near both Unis, but doesn't really draw the usual student crowd.

They do have an excellent selection on the jukebox, and the drinks are decently priced. The atmosphere and staff are friendly.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Leeds LS2 7UP
0113 213 7800

mrhappy said

Fancy building, some great shows, it's rather good.

It's situated behind the market, beneath the shadow of 'the Kremlin', and is totally modern and clean inside. There's plenty of legroom for us taller folks, and a good view from all seats.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS2 8JP
0113 305 0372

mrhappy said
I have no idea why it's so good
Nice on a weekday evening for a quiet drink, on the weekends Sandinista transforms and is absolutely rammed. People love it though, and even though it's so busy you'll get lifted off your feet by the crowd, it's a great night out.

True story: A woman pushing past at the bar literally pushed me over with her boobs.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Leeds LS1 6LN

mrhappy said
Ahh, the Angel
The Angel is an open secret amongst the discerning drinkers of Leeds. It's a Sam Smiths pub hidden away in an alley off Briggate.

It must be the cheapest pub in the centre of Leeds, with a round for 4 clocking in at about £8. Stick to beers though, the spirits are still pricy.

There's a good selection of beers, all Sam Smith's but that's a mark of quality and there's a tipple for all tastes.

Interior decor is shabby to say the least, but it has a certain charm. Downstairs is all spit 'n' sawdust, while the upstairs is surprisingly light with plush leather sofas and seats. You'll generally get a seat if you can wait for a couple of minutes, but avoid sitting outside unless you really enjoy passive smoking, as the ban has turned the alley into the smoker's haunt.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS2 7DT
0113 234 1881

mrhappy said
Unpleasant but cheap
No.1 Oriental Buffet is the cheapest chinese buffet in the centre of leeds. It actually used to be quite a nice place to eat, but a dodgy refit has left it looking a bit shabby and unloved.

The food isn't actually that bad, but dishes frequently run out or have gone all stale under the heat lamps.

What really lets it down is the layout. All the dining tables are between the exit and the food, so it's constantly crowded and nothing feels very safe. There's no way my girlfriend would ever think about leaving her bag at the table when she went for food, and I've even thought twice about leaving my jacket. The clientele are buffet warriors and every plate seems to be topped off with the requisite crown of chips. Avoid.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS1 5PS
0870 401 2119

mrhappy said
Gone for good
I went to the city centre branch of Est Est Est a couple of times - once for a work do with a big group, another time for a quiet lunch with a table of 4.

Both times the service was incredibly slow, the food took ages to turn up and the staff were always only visible in the distance.

The food itself was decent, nothing breathtaking but I didn't feel ripped off.

Now it's closed down and been replaced by Blackhouse, with a tidy up round the front that stops it looking like a masterpiece of 80's concrete engineering.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Nightlife

Leeds LS1 4AG
0113 244 3446

mrhappy said
Great gigs, shame about the venue
The Cockpit has been a leeds institution for years now, with the closure of several venues like Town & Country and the Duchess it had the gig market sewn up. Then the Universities got in on the act and the bigger bands started playing there instead. Now there's Rio's and the new Academy, what will happen to the Cockpit?

It's an old-school venue under a railway arch with sticky floors and overpriced beers, but the draw was always the music. Even that suffered as the sound mix has been remarkably inconsistent even during the same gig.

I'm off there again in a few weeks, who knows how it will be then?

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS2 9DZ
0113 242 5672

mrhappy said
Best pizza in Hyde Park
Situated opposite the Library pub at Hyde Park, Milano's is the pizza place to go on the way home from town.

I don't know how they do it, but although I could wolf down a whole pizza from anywhere else, the Milanos ones are so filling that there's always a couple of slices left for breakfast.

Not much to comment on with the staff, it's a pizza place and you pay, then wait for your order. It'll be there pretty quick. Delivery is available and I never had a problem with that either.

There may be cheaper in the area, but I never found a tastier pizza!

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Food and Drink

Leeds LS1 3BB

mrhappy said
Quick, cheap, tasty
Tucked away between the town hall and LGI, Thai Cottage is a real treat for food lovers. It's a cafe-style thai restaurant, cheap and cheerful but with delicious food and great prices.

Early evenings are the best time to go, they offer a deal where you get a starter and main (chosen from basically the whole menu) for about £7.50.

Vegetarian friendly as well, the meat can be replaced with tofu for no extra charge (vegans will be out of luck as thai food relies on fish sauce).

The very friendly and efficient staff get the food to you very quickly, and there's always enough to make you groan if you polish off the lot