The big stories in Manchester’s food and drink world this week are the closure of the Rabbit at the National Football Museum, and opening dates for the Ivy and Dishoom in Spinningfields – but there’s plenty more to enjoy too, including Hyssop opening a permanent space in Glossop, and Bluu bar turning into the Foundry. Read the full story below.
The Ivy Spinningfields opens at the end of November 2018
As was to be expected, The Ivy’s official launch date and reservations hotline announcement was with no shortage of ceremony. A bus travelled up from London (we’ll leave you to guess covered in what plant) with the reservations hotline (0161 503 3222) and the opening date (27th November) broadcast from the side. The 535 cover restaurant, that has been constructed in the centre of Spinningfields, boasts four distinct floors including an impressive roof garden and a lot of timber. The bottom floor will feature a traditional casual dining experience whilst further up floors will house private function rooms and the first ever ‘The Ivy Asia’ offering Asian inspired cocktails alongside wagyu beef. The Ivy is destined to arrive on Manchester’s food and drink scene with as much fanfare as its bus.
From Tue 27 Nov, The Ivy, The Pavilion, Byrom Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HG. Tel: 0161 503 3222, www.theivymanchester.com
Acclaimed pop up restaurant, Hyssop, opens at The Bulls Head in Glossop
MFDF award nominated pop-up, Hyssop, is opening up as a permanent feature on the Glossop dining scene this November. Hoping to give Glossop food a boost with high-quality food in a traditional pub venue the menu includes venison in coal and toasted mackerel. Having only started as a pop-up in over eight months, the opening in The Bull’s Head tops a remarkable 2018.
From November 2018, Hyssop at The Bull’s Head, Glossop, 102 Church Street, Glossop SK13 7RN, www.facebook.com
Northern Quarter bar Bluu to be replaced with Foundry Project
High Street’s Bluu has been a stalwart of the Shudehill end of The Northern Quarter, often feeling a tad out of step with the rest of the area. Its doors have now closed and it is being replaced by Foundry Project, with its third site after Harrogate and Edinburgh receiving a £500k overhaul. The new bar promises high quality all day dining and drinking with ‘brunch fries’, hangover pizzas, tacos and much more – read the menu here.
From Fri 23 Nov, Foundry Project, Smithfield Market Hall, Manchester M4 1BD, Tel: 0161 839 7195, www.foundryproject.com
Dishoom to open at the start of December 2018
Much raved about London Indian restaurant, Dishoom, has been moving to Manchester for what seems an age but there’s finally a date in sight for the Manchester Hall based dining room. The 231 cover space will fling its doors open on Thursday 6 December, offering nearly two weeks of half price food to tempt Mancunians inside. Locals will be happy to hear that the bacon naans will be available every morning.
From Thu 6 Dec, Dishoom, Manchester Hall, 36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT, www.dishoom.com
Observer award for The Edge Theatre’s Dressing Room Cafe in Chorlton
The Edge theatre in Chorlton has won an Observer Food Monthly award for The Dressing Room Cafe. The social enterprise was presented with The Local Food Hero award for its cafe that gives 12 week skill development placements to 24 adults with learning difficulties every year. Open since 2015, the cafe has gained a reputation around Chorlton and Manchester for the quality of its food as well as its skills programme and has been boosted by the award voted for by readers.
The Dressing Room Cafe, The Edge, Manchester Road, Manchester M21 9JG, www.edgetheatre.co.uk
Book supper club tickets: Eddie Shepherd’s The Walled Garden in Whalley Range
Tickets for the February edition of the intimate vegetarian supper club, The Walled Garden, go on sale on Thursday (1 Nov) as the eight-person meals hosted by chef Eddie Shepherd get ready for another month of events. Based in Whalley Range, The Walled Garden promises a unique culinary experience for £65 with BYOB and a ten course menu with a welcome cocktail and coffee.
Book Thu 1 Nov for Feb 2019 dates in Whalley Range, £65, www.veggiechef.co.uk
UK’s first purpose-built food hall, Market 41, to open in Urmston
Food hall, Market 41 in Urmston has been granted planning permission. While most food markets or food halls that have been popping up around the UK, and most of all the North West, have been repurposed town halls or listed buildings, Market 41 will be the first purpose built food hall in the UK. Emulating Altrincham’s success will be the aim for the owners, the McGoff Group who say they have already had interest from 50 potential traders.
From late 2019, Market 41, Railway Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 0XL, www.market41.co.uk
IN SHORT
Roc & Rye have reopened with a new colour scheme – pink to make you wink is how they’ve described it. Mojo is reopening in time for Christmas with a refurb and a new food and drinks menu to go along with it.
El Gato has a new Autumn Menu – expect the colder months to see whole plaice and hearty dishes making the most of the bold Spanish flavours.
The Rabbit will serve its final dish on Saturday 17 November – closure has been anticipated since the departure of maverick chef, Michael O’Hare earlier in 2018. It’s another blow for this particular location at the top of the National Football Museum. With views of the moors, and a unique atmosphere, it should work – but for some reason every restaurant on the site to date has failed.
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 30 Oct 2018
