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 brings authentic southern state American soul foods to Leicester

A new and exciting dining experience is coming to Leicester…for four weeks only.

The Obar in Braunstone Gate is launching a pop-up smokehouse kitchen on November 7^th featuring authentic smoked dishes.

The menu for The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar has been created by chef Liam Watson, who will be using an authentic grill imported from the States and smoking meats for up to 14 hours.

“The grill can happily smoke ten or 12 racks of ribs or a whole suckling pig,” explained Liam. “We use meat from local, traditionally bred Gloucester Old Spot and Long White pigs. Both are old English breeds famous for their flavour and succulence.

“We will cook our meat over hickory and oak pellets, to build a balanced smokey flavour. This, together with our signature spicy rub and the long slow cooking process of up to 14 hours, creates the tenderest, tastiest piece of meat you'll ever eat.”

The (Pop Up) Smokehouse @ The Obar will be housed in the upstairs room at The Obar, and is designed to add something new to the dining scene not just in Braunstone Gate but in the city of Leicester.

“Smoked food is very much on trend at the moment but we believe that this authentic approach to smoking food could be a first for Leicester,” said Lauren Pepper, general manager at the Obar.

“In true pop-up style, the restaurant will be open for a limited time only so it’s a case of ‘catch it while you can’.”

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.

Liam, 25, who has experience of working in rosette standard kitchens, and is usually based at The Lansdowne, will be smoking meat, vegetables and cheese. He has developed his own blend of salts, dried herbs and spices for red meats, and another for poultry and fish.

“I use these to dry cure the meats, drawing out the moisture and breaking down the proteins, and then when it comes to cooking, these flavours are easily drawn in,” he explained.

“The smoking processes work particularly well on vegetables too, such as fennel, aubergines and carrots, so we will have options for vegetarians, as well as interesting side dishes.

“We thought it would be fun to offer something experimental and something unique. One of the reasons it is unique is that it is quite a challenge to achieve these techniques and flavours – some meats will be rubbed, cured, smoked and prepared for days before they are brought to the plate. This concept is an exciting one for us and perfect for a pop-up model, seen mostly in London, but unique to Leicester we believe.”

Liam, who has been a chef since he was 18, has created a number of signature dishes, including pork ribs (St Louis cut) with an Obar rub & bbq glaze and 14-hour pulled pork and pulled pork chilli con carne.

All dishes at The Smokehouse can be complemented with perfectly matched crafts beers available at The Obar.

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar will be open from 6pm to 9.30/10pm Monday to Saturday and from 2pm to 7pm (tbc) on Sundays. For bookings, telephone 0115 255 8223 or email obar@orangetree.co.uk

For more information visit www.facebook.com/thesmokehouseleicester

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