Trough with Gough, Millennium Square, Leeds (2026)

04/06/2026

‼️ TROUGHMAP NOW LIVE ‼️

Now then, troughers... I’ve finally stopped making you scroll through six months of burgers, steaks and questionable life choices just to find that place I banged on about in Leeds.

The TroughMap is a colour-coded map packed with every restaurant that’s made the cut and earned a spot on the page.

Tap a pin and you’ll find:
⭐ My score 🍽️ Best dish 💰 Price guide 🎥 Direct link to the full review

So whether you’re after a Sunday roast, a filthy burger, date night inspiration or just a proper feed after work, it’s all there in one place.

And the best bit? Every time I review somewhere new, it’ll get added to the map. (If it’s made the cut!)

No drama. No endless scrolling. Just good food.

🔗 Link in bio

Give it a whirl and let me know what you think in the comments.

Sithi

02/06/2026

MEAT:STACK - Leeds📍

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I’ve been back down to Meat Stack to try out there new limited edition SPICE BAG series.

I walked in expecting some hint of a Chinese salt and pepper chips scenario but what I actually got was waaaay better than I thought it would be!

Now the thing with spice bags is (well, for me anyway) you’ve got to have a curry that’s ludicrously thick, I’m talking wet concrete viscosity here. And guess what… it was thick as f**k. And let’s be honest, it needed to be. This curry was smooth, full of flavour flowed slower than lava. Poor that over anything and you’ve got yourself one hell of a meal.

Anyway, nuff curry talk, let’s get into the details.

Irish cheese burger - double smashed patties, curried mayo (there’s a strong theme appearing here) pepper & onions, S&P seasoning. A pretty well put together burger and I’ll be honest, it worked really well. The chicken version was also a winner and as you’d expect, the chicken with the curry sauce was a match made in heaven

Spice bag fries done in beef dripping (if you know, you know) chunks of chicken tenders, S&P seasoning and again, curry sauce 🫶🏻

Salt and pepper tenders were actually mega crunchy, no sogginess to be seen (until it’s arse ended up on the curry sauce) and chicken was juicy and tender.

Then onto the milkshake. Lucky charm; this tasted exactly like a bowl of lucky charm cereal, with a hint of mint which was very subtle (and worked) and little pellets of marshmallows floating around in there eventually getting sucked up the straw.

I really enjoyed this menu, it’s everything I’d wanted it to be honest, but I am a sucker for a S&P with a thick curry sauce. Go give it a bash, you’ll like it I promise!

01/06/2026

BAGAARI UTSAV - Roundhay Road, Leeds📍

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I got a sneak peek at Bagaara Utsav before they open their doors, and blimey, they’ve not messed about!

From crispy palak patta chaat and ridiculously good malai broccoli, to juicy lamb seekh kebabs, flavour-packed Bagaara chicken and some absolutely sensational lamb chops, the starters were firing on all cylinders.

The mains kept coming too - biryani, rogan josh, mango dal, aubergine curry - but the standout for me was the sea bass moilee. Crispy skin, flaky fish and a silky mango coconut sauce that had me scraping the plate.

Finished things off with a warm carrot pudding and ice cream despite already being approximately 94% naan bread.

This isn’t your standard curry house. It’s modern Indian food done properly, with a bit of flair and some seriously impressive dishes

It’s opening this week so keep your eyes peeled, it’s not to be missed!

*PR Invite

26/05/2026

ESTABULO RODIZIO BAR & GRILL - Wakefield📍

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There are two types of people in this world.
People who go to Estabulo for “a nice meal”… and people who turn that little green card over like they’re activating a nuclear launch sequence.

Unfortunately for my waistband, I am very much the second type.

For the uninitiated, Estabulo is one of them Brazilian rodizio places where blokes with swords continuously appear at your table offering increasingly larger hunks of meat until you physically start bargaining with yourself.

“Go on then, just one more bit of sirloin.”

Twenty minutes later you’re sat there sweating lightly with the posture of a collapsed deckchair.

But to be fair… the meat here is good. Most of the beef comes out nicely rare in the middle, which is exactly what you want. One minute it’s cap of rump, next minute it’s garlic steak, then suddenly a fella materialises with a skewer of chorizo like some sort of meaty Pied Piper and I’m subconsciously fuming he’s gone to another table before mine.

There’s chicken wings, gammon, lamb, chicken hearts if you fancy feeling like an extra on I’m A Celebrity… the lot.

The dangerous bit though?
That salad bar.

You walk up thinking:
“I’ll just get a few onions and maybe a tomato.”

Next thing you know you’ve accidentally built a wedding buffet on your plate. Pasta. Potato salad. Rice. Couscous. Mystery creamy things. A f**kin’ pineapple. Completely forgetting you’re about to be belly danced by rotating meats.

Also, the peppercorn sauce deserves respect here. Proper creamy. Not one of them sauces where you’re dodging whole peppercorns like gravel on a driveway. Lash that over a roast potato and a slab of beef and suddenly life’s not too bad after all.

Price-wise, it’s £42.50 for dinner which definitely puts it in “Christ! How much?!” territory… but you do get unlimited meat brought directly to your face for two hours.

Overall though, you kinda know what you’re getting with Estabulo. Big groups, loads of food, zero stress ordering, and the opportunity to leave feeling like you’re about to explode.

And honestly?
Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

19/05/2026

MANJAROS - Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees📍

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This time I’ve landed at Manjaros in Ingleby… basically Manjaros, but with a bit of a glow-up and a golf course view so you can pretend you’re cultured while inhaling chicken.

Naturally, I went straight in with a Chicken Parmo. The Teesside delicacy I swear I won’t order… and then instantly do anyway like a man possessed the second I cross the A19.

But we start with the wings.

Grilled, glazed, and absolutely violated in Manjaros sauce from wing tip to bone. I don’t even know how to describe this sauce anymore. I’ve tried in the past. I’ve failed. It’s like sweet, smoky, garlicky, creamy chaos with a hint of zest. Whatever it is, it absolutely bangs. Wings were tender, nicely charred, and genuinely dangerous in large quantities.

Now… the main event.

THE PARMO.

If you don’t know, it’s basically flattened breaded chicken, topped with a suspiciously generous layer of white sauce and cheddar, then grilled until golden brown and bubbly.

It’s simple. It’s chaotic. It’s absolutely elite when done right… and Manjaros do it properly. Soft, juicy chicken, crisp coating, creamy sauce, melted cheese dribbling about all over the gaff. Honestly, for something so basic, it’s mad how many places still manage to mess it up. These lot don’t.

Chuck in some onion rings for crunch and a pile of rustic chips to mop up all that sauce, and you’ve basically got the perfect evening.

Manjaros, I’ll be honest… you’re on a bit of a winning streak with me at the minute. Although I am a sucker for a Parmo done right.

If you’re nearby, it’s worth the trip. Especially in summer when you can sit outside and smash a Parmo in the sun.

Cya!

15/05/2026

NANDO’S - White Rose, Leeds📍

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Nando’s invited me back. AGAIN. New menu. Let’s go!

🫔 Big Caesar Wrap - Lunchtime only 11 til 3pm. Set an alarm, fake a meeting, do what you need to do.

🥔 Rostinas - Incredible, crispy and fluffy

🌶️ Peri Peri Saka marinade - Fruity, then boots you in the bo****ks.

🍹 Frozen cocktails - Tangy, icey, alcoholic (or not)

🍫 Ultimate Chocolate Brownie - Outrageously good.

Get yourself down!

12/05/2026

HIDDEN - Middlestown, Wakefield📍

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I popped back to Hidden in Middlestown after their pizzas had me weak at the knees, this time for brunch, and it did not miss!

Nascosto chicken on French toast thicker than my Yorkshire accent, piped with mascarpone, drizzled with chilli honey. Absolute chaos. Smashed avo with poached eggs, pork sausages, sourdough - pop the yolk, drizzle of spicy honey, job’s a good ‘un.

The iced matcha specials were also proper good!

Book ahead cos it fills up fast, and do NOT leave without the Nascosto chicken French toast. Non-negotiable.

05/05/2026

TADA JAPANESE - Headingley, Leeds📍

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Ohhhh boy have I found a cracking sushi restaurant or what?!

Tada in Headingley opened in 2025 serving up proper Japanese cuisine from yakitori to bento to sushi. I headed down to give the menu a run for its money and it didn’t disappoint!

If you’re in sushi, this place has to be up there. Absolutely loads on the menu to choose from and if sushi or fish isn’t your thing, there’s meat bento boxes, and a full “from the grill” yakitori section featuring chicken, sirloin, belly pork - basically everything!

If you’ve not checked this place out yet, give it a whirl, you will not be disappointed 👊

*invite

Arigato x

21/04/2026

IL PIRATA PIZZATA - Saltaire, Shipley📍

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Now then troughers… stumbled into Il Pirata Pizzata in Saltaire like a hungry pirate who’s lost his map and found golden carbs instead! Arrrgh! 🏴‍☠️

Tiny little spot, looks like someone’s let a rainbow loose inside, and they’re slinging out these big puffy Canotto pizzas with loads of veggie/vegan bits, if that’s your vibe.

Only popped in for a “quick bite”. Started off sensible… black olive tapenade, bit of flatbread… THEN BOOM - a full-blown Italian deli exploded on the table. Mixed salumi, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled peppers… this weren’t a starter, this were a family platter for a small village. (Like Saltaire!) it was absolutely MASSIVVVEEE but I weren’t complaining. Hoovered the lot up. Sithi.

Then onto the main event… and listen, this place ain’t messing about with a 6-page menu. Nar. It’s basically:
👉 PIZZA
👉 MORE PIZZA
👉 STOP ASKING QUESTIONS

Obviously, went for the Diavola - pepperoni, n’duja, candied jalapeños (yes CANDIED… sweet AND spicy, my brain didn’t know what was going off), and these red chilli strands that looked like they’d been shaved off Satan’s…beard? Didn’t trust ‘em. Ate ‘em anyway. Sithi.

But the base… THIS is what we’re here for. Proper airy, chewy in the right bits, little charred bubbles giving it that smoky kick.

And obviously… dips. All of them. No restraint. No shame.
N’duja aioli? Elite.
Green pesto? Get it involved.
Crusts didn’t stand a chance. Sithi.

All in all - proper little gem this. If you’re knocking about Saltaire and your stomach starts whispering naughty things… get yourself in here.

You’ll defo enjoy and probably leave thinking about those chilli strands on the drive home and where on earth they came from! 👹

Sithi!

14/04/2026

FEDERAL - Leeds📍

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Folk have been queuing out the door for this place ever since it opened back in December ‘25 but is it worth hype?!

I popped down craving a bit of salmon and eggs like a classy individual that I am (ignore the fact I’d have smashed a Greggs if it was closer). Went for avocado and eggs on sourdough with smoked salmon and I’ll say this straight away - presentation? A solid 10/10. Looked like it had its own PR team. Colours popping, eggs wobbling, and a fresh lemon wedge that hadn’t been through the wars. This was perky. Full of life! And then a lovely side clump of purple pickles which gave a nice sharp contrast with the salmon 👌🏻

Now, price. £15.50. Which is… spicy. Not the dish - the price. It’s not massive either, but we are talking salmon in Leeds city centre here, not a fish finger from Iceland with Kerry Katona on top. To be fair it was very, very nice. But I finished it and immediately started thinking about a second breakfast like the greedy foodie I am!

Then things escalated. Cheddar corn fritters. And when I say loaded, I mean LOADED. Bacon, avocado, two poached eggs, sweet chilli, cucumber “sop” (no idea what a sop is but I’d happily have a bath in it), and sour cream. These things turned up like they’re paying council tax. Absolutely enormous.

And here’s the twist, £15… i half retract my previous statement of this place being expensive with small portions, this would keep you full until next Tuesday. Unreal flavour, proper comforting. Sensational.

All washed down with an iced blueberry matcha and a strawberry matcha (which I’m all over at the minute!) and you’ve got yourself absolutely cracking breakfast/brunch. I thoroughly enjoyed the food here. The attention to detail is fantastic and the produce is very very fresh and is great quality.

So yeah… I get it now. I understand the queues. I forgive the queues. I might even join the queue again.

Leeds city centre prices? Abso-bloody-lutely
Worth it? Hells yeah!

Trough with Gough

04/06/2026

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01/06/2026

26/05/2026

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