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

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