Ladies Who Lunch

Indeed, the liquid lunch has long since been a popular if regrettable habit, which has had a storming renaissance after the arrival of the bottomless brunch. This seemingly terrible idea to serve people endless Prosecco with their midday food has unsurprisingly attracted all kinds of drinkers looking for an excuse to neck alcohol fast and early in the disguise of acceptability and elegance. Perhaps more surprisingly, bottomless brunch has actually turned out to be a grand old idea for group get togethers, and a marvellous modern version of ladies who lunch. Top spots to divulge in this boozy gathering include Shear’s Yard, who cook classy plates such as smoked salmon, chestnut mushrooms or beef brisket, and offer options from Aperol spritz to real ale to wash it down with.

An alcohol fuelled lunch can of course be had without the race against time, and Leeds has some refined and fun restaurants and bars doing the honours. Ox Club is a dignified dining space, giving off a special feel and serving up a special comfort on a lunch menu that veers wildly between scrambled eggs, Korean fried chicken and bloody mary’s, without losing focus or finesse. It may be too irresistible to continue the fun at Headrow House in which it inhabits after. Also in a stunning setting made super stylish is another restaurant with great lunch and ongoing drink credentials: Stuzzi bring the best Italian produce to Leeds and at lunch bring out a great value small plates selection of incredible delicacies, such as mortadella meatballs and fritto misto. Upstairs is their secret bar Porco Rosso, providing a lush atmosphere and exquisite cocktails for the apres-lunch tipples.

But sometimes a lady who lunches is after a health kick, and luckily Leeds provides for just that too. At HIVE, their ethos is of balance, and their inspiration is to offer an alternative to dull sandwiches and high refined sugar lunches by creating a menu of smoothie bowls, HIVE pots, super soups and salads, all big in nutrition and flavour. An ideal idea for workers to drop by and refuel. For the pleasure of ladies of leisure, Eat Your Greens mixes healthy eating with naughty possibilities. This stylish cafe bar is a lovely hang out to meet up and lunch out on spiced cauliflower or smoked haddock, beetroot borscht or roasted roots. Though there’s no shame in accompanying the goodness with an organic wine or two.