Delicioso! Salsa Mexicana is a hot favourite in Leeds
Have you been to Chapel Allerton, Leeds lately? The place is buzzing with independent restaurants and boutiques and with the recent addition of David Bennett’s The Sunshine Bakery, neighbouring Roundhay collaborating in foodie festivals and monthly vintage fairs by We Are Dead Young Records –you’re missing out if you’re not a regular on this scene.
Every one is talking about Salsa Mexicana. At first glance it doesn’t look anything special with its unassuming exterior and raw yet authentic décor but it is always brimming with smiling customers and it that exact same authenticity that transports you into an intimate, lively and vibrant ramshackle that could be in Mexico City itself.
My partner and I started the night off with the infamous Margaritas – do not leave here without having tried one. They are blended to perfection and pack a palatable punch!
We then opted for a two starters to share; the Sopa Azteca, a homemade tomato soup with thin fried tortilla strips garnished with coriander, avocado and Monterey Jack cheese and Fish Tacos. Three Mexico City style soft corn tortillas are garnished with salsa, chopped onion and coriander, filled with haddock in a light and crispy beer batter and lightly spiced coleslaw. They taste as delicious as they sound and the flavour oozed from every bite.
For main course we shared Beef Enchiladas - corn tortillas topped with our homemade salsa verde, filled with locally farmed grilled steak marinated overnight in their special blend of Mexican chipotle chillies, herbs and spices. This was served with Mexican rice and refried beans which were the perfect accompaniment to this otherwise spicy dish. The Mole Poblano – made poached chicken adventurous, covered with mole sauce - a mix of toasted chillies, herbs, nuts and spices with a hint of Mexican chocolate and served with Mexican rice and fried plantain slices. We topped all of this off with Mamas Tres Leches, a South American warm chocolate cake filled with cream and served with ice cream and a pecan nut and toffee sauce washed down with an Espresso which is made with Mexican fairtrade coffee beans.
What struck me about the menu was the array of dishes combining your classics with more exploratory creations. The portions are huge and the Latin rhythms and friendly service all add to the cosy and vivacious atmosphere.
This is authentic Mexican food at its best. I will surely be going back for more.
116a Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NY
T: 0113 268 1110
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: | 11:30 | - | 22:30 |
Sat & Sun: | 11:30 | - | 22:30 |
Open Tuesday to Sunday
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A style that looks fabulous in minutes – perfect for the modern girl.
A current trend for your tresses is the bed head look. I’m a huge fan of this style since it is easy and fast to create and looks seriously hot.
Diana Vickers does the bed head very well, scooping her volumised textured locks back into a loose ponytail or worn down for a pretty rock chick look.
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The key to this look is to create lift at the roots and texture to the length. If like me, you are not blessed with bouncy hair, Dry Shampoo is your saviour. Batiste does a fantastic range available in a number of fragrances. Spray it liberally at arms length and use your fingers to work it into your hair. You’ll be amazed at the added volume and texture this adds.
For sexy waves, use a hair wand such as Yogi Hair Curling Wand, wrap thick sections of hair around the wand, hold for 15 seconds and release. Let the hair cool before gently combing through with a soft bristle brush. This will loosen the waves and provide extra texture.
Top Tip: Don’t spray too much dry shampoo too close to your head or you will end up with white patches. If this happens, simply comb out.
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Underground restaurant scene comes to Leeds
I have discovered a fantastic movement in Leeds, UK. You may have heard of the underground restaurant scene which is huge in London but one ambitious lady, named ‘BakeLady’ to maintain secrecy, has bought it to Leeds.
Underground restaurants are called so due to the unconventional venues they are held in, often in residential homes, and the secrecy surrounding them. Diners don’t often know the venue, menu offering or the fellow diners until a few days before and pay either a set price or a ‘donation’ to dine.
BakeLady holds tea parties in her own home offering savoury and sweet treats to delight in. Diners can expect a traditional afternoon tea providing delicious home-made cakes and buns, fresh sandwiches and perfectly brewed tea plus original creations such as her chorizo sausage tartlets.
Check out her blog which is full of recipes and lists the upcoming events throughout the year. Be quick though, they are fully booked into September already!
www.bakelady.wordpress.com
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Whistles gets a new look
Has anyone seen the new Whistles?? They have launched a bold new brand identity and overhauled their collections offering high quality, fashion-forward pieces that won't break the bank (unless you're like me and buy several stunning pieces in one go having fired up a new addiction - oops)!
Whistles will soon be opening their doors in The Village in Westfield too - take a peak and bask in the gorgeousness.
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Top Find! Treat yourself for less
Despite the recession, ladies have still been spending £££’s on beauty treatments since looking good, makes us feel good but maintaining your goddess-like qualities doesn’t come cheap.
If you’re based in Leeds and love to spend your hard earned cash treating yourself, I’ve come across a fantastic website - www.kahootz.co.uk
Kahootz feature a range of fun things to do in the region at hugely discounted prices. As long as the required minimum number of people sign up for each offer, the deal is on!
By working in cahoots with your friends and buying it together you can make some great savings.
Subscription is free and the newsletter includes regular savings sent straight to your inbox plus you earn £5 every time you recommend a friend who signs up and buys a deal.
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Are you a wine lover?
Check out BYO Wine Club - a new service dedicated to wine lovers who wish to gring their own bottle of vino when they dine out! I dine out a lot but hate it when I leave a restaurant thinking 'I could of drank better wine at home...and for less pennies' so this I welcome this news with open arms. The concept of 'bringing your own' wine is usually related to late night curry houses and back street fast food haunts but members of BYO Club can bring their own wine and Champagne to a wide range of classy restaurants. The policy is only active across London at present but I'm predicitng it won't be long before this roles out across the UK.
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Tea for two
Harvey Nichols is one of my favourite hang-outs. Not least because it combines high quality fashion, food and wine but also because their café’s and bars consistently maintain a welcoming, laid back feel with an inimitable air of elegance.
I was invited to afternoon tea with the gorgeously stylish, Katherine Busby – the new events Manager for the Leeds branch. Afternoon Tea is one of my favourite past times and I spent a year researching the best Tea Parlours and experiences the UK has to offer when composing my book.
The Harvey Nichols Afternoon Tea Selection is very traditional in offering the three tiered cake stand of sandwiches, scones and cakes and pastries to accompany your tea but to add a modern edge, Harvey Nichols presented us with a choice of wheat free options (I have an intolerance that I try to ignore!), and they added one of their homemade Whoopie Cakes - I couldn’t resist the edible glitter and creamy filling spilling out from the middle, it looked like something from out of space, fantastic!
The standard of food is what you would naturally expect from Harvey Nichols, top class, fresh and made in-house. My favourite had to be the Pimms and Strawberry Jelly – light and refreshing after all those rich cakes. My only criticism would be for the staff to be better versed in the selection when serving so to do it the full justice it deserves.
Choose the champagne option for the ultimate experience – HN Champagne is far better than some of the more well-known labels.
Harvey Nichols Afternoon Tea Selection
Cream Tea, £5.50 per person
Homemade scone with Normandy butter, Chantilly cream and a choice of rosebud preserve plus a choice of tea.
Champagne Afternoon Tea, served with two glasses of HN Champagne, £42.00 for two.
Afternoon Tea, including a trio of HN Sandwiches and a cake selection, £15.50 per person.
Sandwiches:
Cucumber and mint butter,
Poached salmon and watercress,
Roast chicken, sage and onion dressing.
Selection of cakes:
White chocolate and raspberry brownie,
Chocolate and strawberry cream and Pavlova,
Mini peach and marzipan cake,
Pimms and strawberry jelly,
Homemade mini scone with Normandy butter,
Chantilly cream and a choice of rosebud preserve.
Choice of teas.
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Vegetarian and wheat and / or gluten-free options are available.
Available from: 3pm -5pm Monday, 3-6pm Tuesday – Friday, 4pm-6pm Saturday.
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Fab footwear brand!
If you're not already a huge fan of Rakish Heels, you must become one! Owner, Lona Jones kindly sent me a pair of Ziggy Fuschia, £159.00 and they're drool-worthy. The style of this vibrant slip-on court shoe combines glamour and rock for a feminine look with added attitude.
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Features include high quality suede and leather, a sculpted platform sole and a fabulous gold heel with a zig-zag flash. The heel is the best feature as it has its own unique heel cover which can be removed to reveal the zig-zag pattern beneath - genius. Fun, stylish and cost effective since you get two looks in one!
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I'm very impressed with the attention to detail and the quality and vision of Rakish Heels. Try it for yourself.
I won’t drone on as to how unpredictable the English weather is because we all know it is! But right now, at this moment in time, the sun is shining and it makes me feel fantastic.
My garden is huge and very much the style of a traditional English garden with it’s wild flowers, luscious green grass and two magnificent apple trees that frame the entire stretch of the lawn, arching to meet each other in the middle with draping branches rich with delicious fruit.
My apples have become rather popular providing two of the best bakeries in Yorkshire. My apples have blossomed into the most beautiful cupcakes for The Sunshine Bakery and Fancie. How about that!
I’m somewhat a foodie so the fact that I have fresh produce in my own back yard is greatly pleasing! I’ll be making a tomato, onion and apple chutney this weekend to accompany my fresh scallops and Yorkshire chorizo from Paganum. Yes, I actually said that – Yorkshire chorizo. It is melt-in-your-mouth delectable.
I love the benefits of living in Yorkshire! Great food, the lovely outdoors and good company.
Image of apple and blackberry cupcakes provided by Fancie.
bethanielunn.com
