Flying Pizza, Street Lane - Gone pop (again)?
Discussion
I hear from a credible source that the above have shut their doors for business. Permanently this time. It's rumoured San Carlo are moving into the site, which I think is good. I love the Manchester one, not sure about the Leeds city one as I haven't been yet. It had to happen eventually. I've never known an old, beaten up restaurant trade for soooo long on its ancient reputation. I don't think it ever had a refurb during its entire life!
stub101 said:
No worries - it will be nice to see the Flying Pizza sucessful again if they can turn it round. It still seems to have a very loyal following but the food and decor just hasnt changed for years.
There are alot of food outlets on the parade of shops now, its getting a bit silly.For the Yorkshire Massive foodies out there, there's a free prize draw with Dinner for Two, plus chauffeur driven limo (including a bottle of champagne) to and from the Michelin Guide recommended Foundry Wine Bar in Leeds.
Check it out here: www.gravy-train.co.uk
Check it out here: www.gravy-train.co.uk
What's so good about another generic chain buying up the FP? I agree the FP has been deglected since it was bought in 2001 and was in need of a proper refurbishment back then, I believe it wasn't refurbished in the late 90's because the previous owner was planning to sell up and retire. It did however have some form of refurbishments in its life time, the frontage was completely changed in the 90's and it became larger I think during the 80's by taking over the adjoining premesis.
I'm sad to see it go, as a relative of the previous owner and a former employee, it was the best place in Leeds for more than a decade.
I'm sad to see it go, as a relative of the previous owner and a former employee, it was the best place in Leeds for more than a decade.
leodis said:
What's so good about another generic chain buying up the FP? I agree the FP has been deglected since it was bought in 2001 and was in need of a proper refurbishment back then, I believe it wasn't refurbished in the late 90's because the previous owner was planning to sell up and retire. It did however have some form of refurbishments in its life time, the frontage was completely changed in the 90's and it became larger I think during the 80's by taking over the adjoining premesis.
I'm sad to see it go, as a relative of the previous owner and a former employee, it was the best place in Leeds for more than a decade.
Yeah, that decade being 30 years ago or more! They've been taking the proverbial out of the lesser discerning Leeds diners for donkeys years. They are a classic example of "move with the times, or die". I'm sad to see it go, as a relative of the previous owner and a former employee, it was the best place in Leeds for more than a decade.
By the way, San Carlo are a good outfit. Not a generic chain by a long way. One other in Leeds (new) plus the original off Deansgate in Manchester (which is consistently 1st Class), plus Leicester and their "old family" restaurant in Rome. Hardly a chain! Independent and still very much run and operated by Carlo and his son Marcelo.
Edited by YRRunner on Sunday 27th March 23:28
Not 30 years ago, it was still the busiest restaurant in Leeds if not most of the north when I worked there, i'm not 30 yet! The FP was built on the personality and hard work of the previous owner, Adriano, the atmosphere on a weekend was fantastic, it was never about the interior of the place, nor was it the food, although it was of a good standard and not expensive.
San Carlo all look pretty similar on the inside, as are the menu's, FP will be the 7th so i'd call that a chain in the respect that they are all clones of each other, independently owned or not, good luck to them anyway and I hope they can make a success of it. it's probably better it's in italian hands again. It's just a shame it didnt stay as the FP under new ownership and get the proper refurbishment it's needed for so long.
San Carlo all look pretty similar on the inside, as are the menu's, FP will be the 7th so i'd call that a chain in the respect that they are all clones of each other, independently owned or not, good luck to them anyway and I hope they can make a success of it. it's probably better it's in italian hands again. It's just a shame it didnt stay as the FP under new ownership and get the proper refurbishment it's needed for so long.
betsy13 said:
For the Yorkshire Massive foodies out there, there's a free prize draw with Dinner for Two, plus chauffeur driven limo (including a bottle of champagne) to and from the Michelin Guide recommended Foundry Wine Bar in Leeds.
Check it out here: www.gravy-train.co.uk
I dont know about the competition, but the food in the Foundry is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it and the foods not badly priced. The wine can be a bit expensive (over £300 for some bottles of wine) but the 20quid stuff was good the last time I went thereCheck it out here: www.gravy-train.co.uk
gog440 said:
I dont know about the competition, but the food in the Foundry is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it and the foods not badly priced. The wine can be a bit expensive (over £300 for some bottles of wine) but the 20quid stuff was good the last time I went there
I agree. One of the few remaining consistently good restaurants in Leeds. Brasserie Forty 4 at The Calls is good too. I hear on good authority that there will be a 20% discount through www.gravy-train.co.uk in the coming weeks. The discount will nullify the cost of your bottle of wine! 
YRRunner said:
I see Casa Mia Grande in Chappie A has gone now too. The rumour mill is saying that Aagrah have taken it. Corporate chains moving into the burbs, how sad. Long live Sukhothai!
If I wanted a really good curry in Leeds I would be heading back to the Sheesh Mahal on Kirkstall road a bit closer to home Saffron in Batley was good last time I ate theregog440 said:
If I wanted a really good curry in Leeds I would be heading back to the Sheesh Mahal on Kirkstall road a bit closer to home Saffron in Batley was good last time I ate there
Sheesh Mahal never fails to impress.Amaans in Morley is well worth a try if you are in the area, as is Kasa Rosa if Italian is your thing - I've yet to be disappointed by anything on the menu but the steak is amazing, it puts the city centre options to shame IMO.
Hope Flying Pizza makes a come-back and doesn't lose too much of its' charm.
YRRunner said:
I see Casa Mia Grande in Chappie A has gone now too. The rumour mill is saying that Aagrah have taken it. Corporate chains moving into the burbs, how sad. Long live Sukhothai!
Aye, Casa Mia sent out an email a few weeks back saying they were focusing on the other branches and family so decided to sell Grande. Aagrah recently announced that they would be opening the new branch soon - http://www.aagrah.com/index.php?option=com_content...Gassing Station | Yorkshire | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff