Danny Malin: Catching up with pals in Leeds and Christmas dinner in a Yorkshire pudding

Christmas is the perfect time to catch up with old pals over some grub.

Last week, I took my food review co-star Gary Eats for dinner to Blue Sakura in Leeds with some family and friends. It’s one of my favourite places to eat out for pleasure.

They’ve just changed their menu and it’s always bang on for me. It’s all-you-can-eat fresh teppanyaki grilled meat and vegetables, sushi, and a wide range of tapas style Japanese fusion dishes.

Last weekend, I invited Kalani the ghosthunter, and his family to the Packhorse Kitchen to try some of the latest vendor's food but also to do a meet and greet for fans.

It was an honour to host his first meet and greet and it was packed out.

So much so that only Kalani’s pops managed to try Two Cocks’ food.

Fortunately I’d already booked us some dinner in that I knew both Kalani and his wife Savannah would love.

We went to Cannon Hall Farm in Cawthorne.

I love their White Bull restaurant there. We had the large Festive Yorkshire Pudding.

It was a full Christmas Dinner in a Yorkshire Pudding. It was the moistest turkey I’ve ever had, covered in home made gravy. We were all in heaven.

Farmers Rob and Dave Nicholson also showed us around the farm - and I’m sure we will all be back soon.

As much as I love a roast dinner in these winter months, if it’s not a roast, it’s a Mexican for me.

I returned to the Birria Boyz to try their Birria Box

I’ve always recommended their tacos in Leeds - so much so they even had a takeaway at the food court I created at Packhorse Kitchen.

Now they’ve new owners, and they invited me to try their new menu at their take-out in Chapel Allerton.

I went for their Birria Box, which is a huge munchbox packed out with tacos, macaroni cheese, nachos, and loaded fries. Wow it was a spicy cheesy feast - the flavours just popped in my mouth.

The Birria tacos were packed full of meat and even tastier than before.

When I’m not food reviewing I have been making some healthier options too such as going for brunch with my pals at Silverbacks mental health trek team at Capri in Wakefield. Here I had Eggs Benedict. I’m also loving Shashuka for breakfast too. When staying in Leicester at The Gresham hotel, I had home made Shakshuka everyday for breakfast. It’s a spicy tomato sauce with potatoes, beans and topped with eggs.

I love shakshuka at Bianco Lounge at White Rose in Leeds when I’m closer to home.