Pie and cocktail love in Leeds

People either love valentine’s day or hate it but I tend to think you only live once and if it’s one more reason to celebrate, dance in the rain just because you can or have another kiss with your sweetie, then why not?!

With that in mind my man and I decided to step out together for a bottle of bubbly, some lunch and cocktails. We boarded the train around lunchtime and cracked open some prosecco for the journey, which reminded us of travelling through Italy by train and getting topped up with bubbles whilst watching the beautiful Tuscan countryside rolling by. 

We arrived in Leeds eager and ready to explore but first things first we needed feeding and fast. Our tummies rumbled so we made a hasty beeline for Leeds Corn Exchange where we’d heard about a taste sensation involving pitas, falafel and hummus at Humpit but when we arrived, we realised it might not be enough to fill us up but vowed  to pop back for a snack later.

On we went heading towards Call Lane when we were stopped in our tracks by a trendy industrial looking building promising stodgy pie goodness with a twist. Pieminister was founded by two friends who started their pie journey in Bristol over ten years ago and now it’s on the lips of festival goers the land over, so I've been keen to try it for a while.

In we stepped and were given a seat in the window so we could people watch. We ordered a bottle of wine which is not the usual drink you’d have with pie but hey, why not? We drooled over...ahem perused the menu while deciding what to order first.

I took the opportunity to wear my lovely 'Happiness' and 'Love' bangles, which seemed fitting.

The herbivore (i.e. me) went for the Heidi; a gooey, cheesey, sweet potato pie stacked with fried halloumi cheese

With a side of courgette fries

And minted mushy peas

All smothered in hot gravy.

The carnivore went for the Chilli Con Carnage, which contained some spicy scotch bonnet chillis, lots of meat and smoked bacon. He ordered a side of sweet potato fries and garden peas with chilli.

It was absolutely delicious and just the filling, home comfort food we’d been craving. The whole meal came to around £30 (with a small discount for a slight mishap that occurred with some gravy) which we felt was really good value for what we’d eaten.

Feeling full and satisfied we headed out into the cold but bright day and decided to explore some cocktail and wine bars (and a few shops!).

My top picks for cocktail bars included:

The Alchemist which is based on the second floor of Trinity Shopping centre, so the key is trying not to get sucked in by the array of shops on offer along the way.  There’s a nice roof terrace which looks out towards the street and yummy cocktails. My choice was the Honeycomb which was creamy and sweet, so just the perfect thing for dessert.

Angelica is also in the Trinity Shopping centre but based on the top floor, so it has amazing views out over the city and a panoramic roof terrace with patio heaters and comfy seats. The bar was packed full of Leeds elite so you have to fight for a seat but this place is all about propping up the bar and being seen anyway. I can highly recommend the Lemon Cheesecake cocktail. This is a place you will be happy to while away the afternoon in.

Nation of Shopkeepers is a slightly different offering with a more casual and shabby chic vibe. Some may say this is a bit more spit and sawdust in a really good way and perfect for a more low key vibe. It attracts the hipsters but is not pretentious in any way. The twinkly fairy lights and dark decor give it a cosy feel which took us perfectly from day to dusk. The dark walls envelope you and make you want to get comfy and stay for the long haul but as the evening wears on the music cranks up and it gets quite lively.

The Botanist is a rustic and industrial offering on Boar Lane with an absolutely stunning whimsical website. I recommend the aromatic infused gin cocktails, of which there are many and of varying types.  I’m a huge fan of elderflower and so was drawn to the Hendricks cocktail.

Mean Eyed Cat is one of the newer bars in Leeds providing crazy cocktails and an American country style. Cocktails such as The Smokey, a take on a cherry Manhatten that will blow your socks off, and The Marg are in keeping with the low and slow Midwestern decor and they have a fabulous pizza menu to match.

 

Eperney Champagne Bar is in the Electric Press, Great George Street area of Leeds and has a cool, upmarket indoor/ outdoor pavement cafe vibe that makes you want to sit on the terrace in your snuggley scarf and quaff the variety of champagnes on offer. There is something for every budget here but you can certainly push the boat out if you want to.

All in all we have a lovely day exploring and drinking our way around Leeds. What did you do? Are you a pie and mash kind of person or do you prefer something a little more refined for Valentine's Day?