Leicester pop-up restaurant The Smokehouse becomes permanent fixture in the West End

A pop-up restaurant in Leicester has been so successful that now it’s to become a permanent venue on the city’s dining scene.

The Smokehouse opened above the O bar in Braunstone Gate for four weeks towards the end of last year. The exciting culinary concept brought a unique style of Southern-American inspired smoked food to Leicester and received rave reviews.

It re-opened its doors in February as a pop-up as a result of popular demand.

Now owners of The Orange Tree Group, who run the O bar, have decided that The Smokehouse will become a permanent fixture in the area, after receiving so much positive feedback.

“Customers have really voted with their feet, so we’ve opted to keep The Smokehouse open, which we hope will add to the regeneration of Braunstone Gate and the West End area,” said Orange Tree Group director Ben Hings.

“We’ve been delighted to hear how much customers have enjoyed eating at The Smokehouse, and so pleased that they have continued to support this new venture, which we feel is something unique on the Leicester dining scene.”

Chef Liam Watson has developed a menu that includes a range of smoked food, created using an authentic grill imported from the States, with some meats smoked for up to 14 hours.

So far, he’s served up more than 1,200 main dishes, or ‘big smokes’ as they are referred to on the menu. Fourteen-hour pulled pork has proved to be the most popular main dish listing.

As far as side dishes go, mashed potatoes topped with garlic and chive butter has proved a winner with customers tucking into almost 400 portions. And when it comes to puddings, it’s the sticky toffee and maple pudding served with salted caramel bourbon sauce which has been most popular.

A selection of craft beers is being served up to complement the dishes. 

Liam has now been joined by a sous chef in the kitchen after the decision was made to keep The Smokehouse open permanently.

“The Smokehouse is a new concept for Leicester and I’m really pleased that the feedback we’ve received from diners has been so positive,” said Liam, who has experience of working in rosette standard kitchens.

The news that the venue is to become permanent coincides with Westival – the music street festival taking place on Sunday May 4^th on Braunstone Gate. Organised by pubs, bars, restaurants and businesses in the West End, it is being held for the first time and aims to encourage crowds to the area. It will feature stalls, bands and other entertainments, and has been funded through Leicester City Council’s Gateway Improvement Scheme.

Liam will be running a Smokehouse stall at the event, selling a selection of favourite dishes. He will also be at Leicester’s Summer Food and Drink Festival at Leicester Market on 25 May.

The O bar is part of the independent Orange Tree Group of pubs and bars in Leicester, which also runs The Orange Tree in High Street, The Lansdowne in London Road, and The Basement in Wellington Street. It also operates The Orange Tree and The Kelso in Loughborough, as well as The Orange Tree in Nottingham.

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The O bar received a string of rave reviews when it opened first time round.

Leicester food blogger Tim Burke said: “Here was very good, down-to-earth flavour-led food at fair prices...You should try it while it’s here. I’m certainly going back.”

Customer Emma Rees said: “Outstanding food and brilliant service - tastiest food we've eaten in ages.”

Customer Emily Horwill said: “The food was AWESOME! Really good value for money.”

Customer Karen Cheesman said: “Had a meal here last night, one word FANTASTIC!!”

Comments shortly after it opened in February included the following:

“I think that the American barbecue theme worked perfectly here, the concept was a very good one and the food tasted wonderful.” Blogger Toby Elkington at Flavoursome Feast.

“The braised beef burger really stole the show.…who knew beef could melt like that with deep and exciting smokey flavours.” Blogger Harriet Ruff at The Sunnier Side Up.

“My absolutely favourites were the melting pulled pork chilli con carne with sour cream and the heavenly mash.” Blogger Emily, from Recipes and Reviews.

“As the good quality vanilla ice-cream started to melt into that sauce I was reflecting there was no more pleasurable experience available in Leicester that night.” Blogger Tim Burke from www.riponia.wordpress.com

The Smokehouse is open from 6pm Tuesday to Saturday. For bookings, telephone 0116 255 8223 or to find out more, visit https://www.facebook.com/thesmokehouseleicester

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar in Leicester returns

Leicester diners will get the chance to sample authentic, highly acclaimed Southern American inspired smoked dishes once more when The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar re-opens later this month.

The exciting culinary concept arrived in Leicester as a pop up restaurant at The Obar in Braunstone Gate for four weeks towards the end of last year.

Now it’s back by popular demand, and will re-open on February 27^th….once again as a pop-up concept.

As before, the restaurant will serve up a range of smoked food, created using an authentic grill imported from the States, with some meats smoked for up to 14 hours.

Chef Liam Watson has developed a menu unique to Leicester – with the Obar serving up a selection of craft beers to complement the dishes. 

“Feedback from The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar when we opened for four weeks in November and December was great,” said Liam. “Diners loved the concept, the food, the beers and the atmosphere. Reviews were really positive.

“We know that many of them wanted to return and we also realised that many who would have liked to give it a try weren’t able to do so in the four weeks that it was available, so we’re re-opening on February 27^th to bring another flavour to the Leicester dining scene once more.”

The (Pop Up) Smokehouse @ The Obar is housed in the upstairs room at The Obar, which has been transformed into a cosy dining space. It will serve up authentic dishes inspired by southern state American soul foods with an Orange Tree twist.

The menu will feature dishes such as St Louis cut pork ribs with BBQ glaze, 12 hour smoked brisket of beef served in a brioche bun with pickled red cabbage and crispy onions, and stuffed butter nut squash topped with smoky tomato and chipotle sauce.

Lauren Pepper, general manager at The Obar, said: “We felt the pop up restaurant was a great addition to the Braunstone Gate area, as well as to the dining experience on offer in the city as a whole, so we’re delighted to see it back. It’s a case of diners voting with their feet, and if the demand is there we will keep it rolling.

“Both smoked food and pop up dining experiences are very much on trend at the moment, and we believe that what we’re offering at The (Pop up) Smokehouse is unique in Leicester.”

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar received a string of rave reviews when it opened first time round.

Leicester food blogger Tim Burke said: “Here was very good, down-to-earth flavour-led food at fair prices...You should try it while it’s here. I’m certainly going back.”

Customer Emma Rees said: “Outstanding food and brilliant service - tastiest food we've eaten in ages.”

Customer Emily Horwill said: “The food was AWESOME! Really good value for money.”

Customer Karen Cheesman said: “Had a meal here last night, one word FANTASTIC!!”

The Obar is part of the independent Orange Tree Group of pubs and bars in Leicester, which also runs The Orange Tree in High Street, The Lansdowne in London Road, and The Basement in Wellington Street. Chef Liam has experience of working in rosette standard kitchens, and is usually based at The Lansdowne.

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar will be open from 6pm Tuesday to Saturday. For bookings, telephone 0116 255 8223 or email obar@orangetree.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk