Mononi

No prizes for working out the 'open all hours' policy of this addition to the Leeds scene. Well, not quite all hours, but between 8 am and very late, Mononi works hard at its chameleon-like existence. During the day customers can have anything from breakfast onwards, including a carry out, so your working day can commence with a quick warm-up for the team at Mononi before progressing on to the office. The Japanese would love it, though on second thoughts it's probably not disciplined enough for them. At lunchtime it's back to Mono for the roast tail of monkfish wrapped in parma ham and a lightning review of the departmental budget before going out on site in the afternoon to kick some rear end on the job, then back to the office to clear the emails and voicemail and a swift work-out. Back in the café - for that is really what it is - the mood is beginning to shift imperceptibly towards 'something of the night' and the talk turns to more pressing and vaguely social issues. If you stick it out until 7.30 pm there's a free bottle of wine on the table with your meal and hell! you've been here most of the day so why not enjoy some dinner before wending your way back to the suburban box and its associated distractions But somehow it doesn't work out like that and as the beat hots up to the same temperature as your third after dinner coffee you feel a sort of second wind taking over and next thing you're out there on the dance floor and Yo, it's party time again.

I am sure this is all a slight exaggeration but the point is Mononi is there most hours that we are given, and how often have we complained about places that don't open when we think we need them. My hunch is we are looking into the future here.