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What's Going On Leeds? (February)

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Home Cinema Hire Leeds

Jordan Odu cooks up a recipe for success in 2021.

 

Kickstarting January in lockdown was not the new year I asked for, but we’ve just got to crack on and make the best of it. With the vaccine being rapidly rolled out, at least it feels like the beginning of the end (fingers and everything else crossed) is in sight. That said, I had an incredible Christmas and New Year and managed to pack in some awesome stuff in a short space of time.

 

 

One such highlight was a last-minute getaway to the ever-awe-inspiring Crab & Lobster, where I enjoyed gourmet food, Champagne, and a night in the swanky Ruka Lodge. Reminiscent of an alpine ski lodge, complete with large hot tub and woodland setting, it was nice to have an evening where COVID and other such problems did not exist.

The best part of 2021 so far for me has been the snow, which made for an excellent day of sledging at Roundhay Park. I’ve also been enjoying the crisp winter air walking round Harewood, using my new membership I kindly received from my mum for Christmas. It was great to have a nosy around the fantastic gardens on our daily walk.

And, if like me you’ve been struggling to keep your walks fresh, I can highly recommend the White Fox Walking Project. Their Facebook page is loaded with walking routes that allow you to take in the best of Yorkshire’s rich and vastly underrated wildlife. Go check them out.

As it’s now been almost a year since I last dropped into my local cinema, I was eager to give Home Cinema Hire Leeds a shot. Designed to take the home movie experience to the next level, they offer both indoor and outdoor packages that are great for these long lockdown evenings. We squeezed in Clueless, Goodfellas, The Serpent and a Leeds United game, which were elevated to greatness with the HD 4K projector and giant screen. Essential for movie, gaming and sports lovers.



Another thing I’ve been pining for is top-notch food in my favourite restaurants, so have taken up the challenge to cook more for myself. With a little help from Nigella and some cook at home boxes from some of the city’s best venues, I’ve whipped up some impressive meals, even if I do say so myself.

We ordered a cook at home box from Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Brasserie, and it couldn’t have turned out any better. Curated by head chef Lee Heptinstall and his team, the three-course meal boasted the same style and panache you’d expect in their restaurant. The Braised Ox Cheek with smoked beef fat carrots was melt in the mouth, and the Whipped Chocolate Ganache and Orange Tart was a dessert fit for the gods.

We upgraded our package to finish the meal off with a boozy Vesper Martini, as well as a round of luxurious Espresso Martinis and a nice bottle of Harvey Nichols Etna Rosso. Just a shame they don’t come do the washing up, because this was an otherwise flawless dining experience. 

Skipping back to New Year’s Eve, I enjoyed an incredible Tomahawk steak from Blackhouse along with all the trimmings and several bottles of wine. For something quick and easy, check out Fior Alba’s sushi at home kits, which can be prepped and ready within ten minutes. The next one on my list to try is Dishoom, watch this space for my feedback.

But, with almost a year of little else but eating and drinking, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has more than just a little bit of festive fat to shift. To tackle this, I tried Fit 20, a new fitness studio that promises results with just 20 minutes of exercise per week. Ideal for anyone juggling work, kids, and everything else in between. I really enjoyed my first session and will definitely head back when gyms reopen.

I’ve also taken up the services of The Fit Guru PT and have been doing two gruelling 60 minutes in the park each week. I’d be lying if I said it was easy, but it seems to be working and I’m setting my sights on a chiselled beach bod in time for summer freedom. Wish me luck.



For those of you that have been going into central Leeds, look out for some of the amazing art that’s popping up across the city. Artist Anthony Burrill and IN Good Company Leeds’ huge seven-storey YOU&ME, ME&YOU mural of positivity at the bottom of The Calls is really impressive. There’s also something for sports fans with Leeds legends Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernandez, and champion boxer Josh Warrington popping up on buildings across the city.

That’s it from me this month, but stay safe, keep positive and I hope to see you sooner rather than later.

 

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