It was the morning after the night before. Too many ‘Armley Gyratories’ & ‘Rothwell Rogues’ were consumed at Berties Diner, Queen Street Morley at the cabaret heavenly/cum book launch of Adele Morley’s first bodice ripping raunch fest ‘Broken Shackles’
Grabbing my work paraphernalia and two strong codeine I lurched from the demanding chaotic bosom of my family into the chill morning air of Leeds to do some work. My empty stomach growled. Memory served me that aside from MacDonalds there were too few places to grab a bacon sarnie and decent cup of coffee. I headed towards Dock Street Market as recommended by The Know, but it didn’t open until 10am. Darn! Shamboling slowly towards my offices near the bus station I came to Brewery Wharf, and considered Bewley’s hotel for a nano second, until my eye spotted Yum Yum. It looked a little closed, but on further inspection said FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST open from 8am
I’ve been to Yum Yum before and noted the little tables at the back of this convenience store/cafe but never had occasion to eat there. Grabbing a newspaper I was about to settle on a cup and sanger when I felt the dissolving of any shreds of resistance towards the full English for one.
So for less than a fiver I filled myself to the brim, my hangover declared it a success. Perfect eggs, proper bad white toast, juicy mushrooms, well cooked tomato and perfectly fine bacon. A little debate on twitter ensued, I tweeted it was my new fave place. I’ve long been searching a city centre cafe for Sunday breakfast, and so few are open. Bottega Milanese may well be one of the finest places for coffee, but sometimes you need a decent cuppa and a great bacon sarnie (sorry if you are vegetarian, I do believe Yum Yums get’s the thumbs up from Claire Circuit and Mega Dicko)
But @RachATheMachine did get me thinking, she spotted the less than perfect formica table (just 4 tables seating 2) and also mentioned previous indifferent service. For me Yum Yum hit the spot. Perfectly. But because it met a very specific set of criteria:
Open Sunday (yes)
Before 10am (yes)
Big hearty breakfast (yes)
Decent (note not perfect) Americano (yes)
Laid back atmosphere where you could pig out without feeling like a dog? (yes)
Sunday Newspapers? (yes)
Wifi? NO!
Twitter? No – so it has a few flaws. But I wasn’t there to work.
I wasn’t looking for perfect food of epicurean standards, I wasn’t bothered by a scruffy table, maybe on a different day of the week when I’m spoilt for choice these things may seem more important. But today the gentle tell tale marks of a well used, canteen like place fitted my ‘numb around the edges’ requirements.
Yum Yum: Brewery Wharf. Open 8am -10pm Weekends and 7am – 10pm Weekdays
Please note that after 10.30am on a Sunday the 4 tables get busy as the local parish church bell ringers descend for a scoff.
So what’s your criteria for a great Sunday breakfast? Where would you recommend?
Potential to gaze upon interesting gin bottles?
My perfect criteria for a Sunday breakfast is sending the other half out for pastries so I can wake up, have a morning bath and consume pastries and caffeine before having to even think about putting clothes on.
Cheers, I’ll give Yum Yum a go. I also recommend Riveresque on Leeds Bridge for breakfast (inc: black pudding).
When I used to live in Meanwood I used to frequent a cafe called Fanoos opposite what is now East of Arcadia. Now we’re in the city centre we’re a bit stuck for a good breakfast… A nice relaxed place is essential!