This week's Manchester food news includes a new launch from MasterChef 2015 winner, Simon Wood, in First Street, a new Mexican inspired bar and restaurant from the Solita crew call El Taquero in the Northern Quarter, Central Manchester Vegan Fair, a special dining offer from Harvey Nichols, free cake at Companio Bakery, Ordsall Hall's Summer Garden Party and much more...
Now booking: WOOD by MasterChef winner Simon Wood at First Street
MasterChef winner Simon Wood’s hotly anticipated Manchester restaurant is now taking bookings. Located at First Street next to Home, tables at Wood Manchester are available from Friday 1 September. Dishes on the menu will include the chef's MasterChef winning dish - pigeon with watercress, potato, heritage carrot and nuts - as well as wild mushroom ravioli with sage and chestnut and Tomahawk steak.
Opening September, WOOD Manchester, Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, M15 4RA, www.facebook.com
New NQ Mexican bar and restaurant: El Taquero from Solita
Manchester's original 'dirty food' purveyors, Solita, are opening a new venue in the Northern Quarter. Translated as ‘the taco maker’, El Taquero will be freshly making tacos, quesadillas and 100% corn tortillas daily to serve up signature Mexican dishes. There will also be a tequila cocktail and margarita menu, plus a range of imported Mexican beers. Currently being renovated, the venue is where Montpellier’s and The Bouncing Czech used to be, and will have a relaxed Mexican décor for diners to eat heartily or enjoy snacks at the bar.
Opening August 2017, El Taquero, 42 Back Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1FR, Tel: 0161 832 3146, www.facebook.com
Free: Irish whiskey masterclass with Slane at the Fitzgerald
Hosted by The Fitzgerald, Slane Whiskey are running a masterclass which includes aspects of the spirit and brand history, as well as a complementary cocktail. That's no all: there's a whiskey-fuelled gig afterwards from electro-swing masters The After Hours who will be playing swing jazz and more, live, alongside drinks offers galore and a happy hour until 1am.
Thu 13 Jul, The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DB, Tel: 0161 228 6629. Free masterclass: 6.30-8pm: www.facebook.com
Gig, 8pm-midnight: www.facebook.com
Gin tasting: Manchester Three Rivers at Don Giovanni
Local gin specialists Manchester Three Rivers are collaborating with established restaurant Don Giovanni. Whilst being guided through the history of gin, guests will taste two different G&Ts, matched with Italian sharing boards. To finish off the evening, there will be a gin-infused Italian dessert to enjoy, plus the recipe will be revealed to recreate it at home. Book your tickets via the link below.
Fri 14 Jul, Don Giovanni, 1-2 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN. Tel: 0161 228 2482, 7pm, £20, www.eventbrite.co.uk
This weekend: Central Manchester Vegan Fair at Cross Street Chapel
Returning to the Cross Street Chapel venue for another 100% vegan fair, there will be 30 food, drink, and shopping stalls on offer to sample products on the day and take home. There will also be film screenings throughout the day, including Forks over Knives and Vegucated.
Sat 15 July, Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester, M2 1NL, 10am-6pm, £1 entry, www.facebook.com
Free cake: Ancoats Companio bakery celebrates Saturday opening with giveaway
Bread lovers rejoice: the Ancoats bakery is now open on Saturdays and to celebrate, they’re giving away free breakfast cake with fresh fruit filling and crumble topping, plus a tea or coffee for the first 100 people through the door. Pop down to investigate.
Sat 15 Jul, Companio Bakery, Unit 6 Flint Glass Wharf, 35 Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6AD, 9am-noon, FREE, www.facebook.com
Free: The Ordsall Hall Garden Party
The 750-year old stately home is opening the doors for a summer garden party for all the family. With plenty of activities on hand for smaller people, there will also be food stalls, pop-up bars and live music.
Sun 16 Jul, Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Lane, Ordsall, Salford, M5 3AN, noon-4pm, FREE, www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk
Book now: Sake and sushi paired tasting with Koimari Shuzo and Sam Sake at Umezushi
Feted Japanese restaurant Umezushi is teaming up with Koimari Shuzo and Sam Sake to host a sake tasting event. While meeting the brewer, guests will be guided through tasting five different sakes, each paired with a course from a special menu designed by Umezushi chef Omar Rodriguez. Booking is essential.
Tue 18 Jul, Umezushi, Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ, 7.30pm, £60, www.facebook.com
Meat Lust presents: Sauce and the City – the food and drink city tour
Sauce brand Meat Lust is touring the UK, stopping in Manchester to collaborate with Beastro, Hip Hop Chip Shop, Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Crazy Pedro’s, Sugar Rays, Brewdog, Ticketybrew and Shindigger to create a food festival on wheels. Food from them will be served across various time slots, and each ticket includes a beer from the three breweries mentioned above. The bus tour lasts for three hours, check the link below for further details and to book tickets.
Thu 20-Sun 30 July, B.EAT STREET, 235 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN, times vary, £30 www.sauceandthecity.co.uk
IN SHORT
Wed 12 Jul: Head out of town to Marple for Chaat Cart’s South Indian Dosa Day: www.facebook.com
Fri 14 Jul: Meet the brewers from Beatnikz Republic with a can launch party at Sandbar: www.facebook.com
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Three courses & a cocktail for £22 at Harvey Nichols
The Second Floor Brasserie at Harvey Nichols is offering three courses and a cocktail for £22 from the summer menu until the end of August 2017. With a vodka and elderflower or gin, ginger, mint and lime cocktail to start, starters include tiger prawns, chilli, avocado and sour cream or goats’ cheese on toast with caramelised onions and broad beans. Mains take in red mullet, crushed potatoes, samphire and sauce vierge, or duck breast, miso, spiced carrot, broccoli and spring onion, followed by desserts such as waffle, peanut butter, baked banana and toffee sauce, or carrot cake with white chocolate frosting, pickled carrots and glazed walnuts.
Until Thu 31 Aug: Second Floor Brasserie, Harvey Nichols, 21 Cathedral Approach, Manchester M1 1AD. Tel: 0161 828 8898, www.harveynichols.com
