January is well and truly upon us, but for those of you prepared to face the cold and damp weather with a big coat and a desire to get warm, fed and watered indoors we’ve got a whole heap of news for you. We’ve got places that have just opened, places that are soon to be opened, and places that are still a while off as well as a few deals to keep you sated for less whilst you wait for various resolutions to break. Whether it’s a new place from Simon Shaw and the El Gato gang, or Lebanese food out in the suburbs, there’s more than enough to keep you going.
El Gato Negro To Open Middle Eastern Restaurant on Brown Street
Following on from the success of the recently launched Canto in Ancoats, Simon Shaw and co, the team behind Manchester’s phenomenally popular tapas restaurant, are to open a new restaurant on Brown Street. Taking over from the long departed Panama Hatty’s, the restaurant will blend Middle Eastern and African influences as well as keeping the El Gato and Canto style of exposed brickwork and open kitchens. With Gary Usher’s latest project Kala opening up just a few doors down, the top of King Street is starting to look very appealing for the food scene.
Coming soon, Unnamed El Gato Negro Restaurant, 43A Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JJ, www.elgatonegrotapas.com
The Ivy open again after blaze
Following a blaze on January 4th, work has already started to fix the fire damage at recently opened The Ivy. Having been much trailed and very hyped, hopes were high that the London group would make a splash in Spinningfields but plans have had to take a back seat as the restaurant deals with the damage. Thankfully no one was injured and, as the fire was contained to the top of the building, the bottom floors are open as usual.
The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG, www.theivymanchester.com
Grub celebrates Veganuary with 3 day ExtraVEGANza
Grub will be bringing vegan treats Latin American food from Yakumama, perfect patisserie from Chou Choux, fresh waffles from Sugar Spun Sisters, kebabs from Seitan’s Kebab and the junkiest of junk foods from local vegan heroes Wholesome Junkies to Fairfield Social Club at the end of the month. Plus 14 lines of beer, all 100% vegan. Read our full preview here.
Fri 25 – Sun 27 Jan, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester M12 6HR. Fri: 5pm-10pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm and Sun: 12pm-6pm, free entry, www.facebook.com
Cask to open sister bar in Ancoats
Long before the Northern Quarter was the hustling area of bars, restaurants and hairdressers, Cask was ploughing a furrow as one of the best places for a craft beer, or ‘real ale’ as we were calling it then, down near Castlefield. As the nightlife and city living moved to the north of the city centre, it’s nice to see Cask has found itself a second home in Ancoats, and already seems to have become a destination for the more discerning City fans pre-game. They have a massive 27 beers on tap and news anyone who has enjoyed fish and chips from next door to original Cask will cheer – you can bring your own food (with Pollen not far down, that’s quite the offer).
Open now, Cask, 2 New Union St Cottonfield Wharf, Manchester M4 6FQ, 0161 392 0809, follow @ancoatscask
Lily’s new space now open in Ashton
Having gone from a hidden gem to one of the first names on the lips of people recommending Indian food in Manchester, Lily’s was always going to need some new premises and in December they unveiled them. The former Alexandria Social Club on Dean Street now welcomes Lily’s larger menu with more covers.
Now open, Lily’s, Dean Street, Ashton, 0161 339 4774. www.facebook.com
Peaky Blinders Themed Dim Sum Restaurant to open on Peter Street
Anyone who has seen a Mafia film will be well aware that food and criminal families go together like pasta and parmesan so no surprise that Peaky Blinders has inspired a new restaurant on Peter St. Decked in pics of Cillian Murphy and co, the restaurant side steps the curious, ‘what did they eat in pre-war Birmingham?’ by offering a dim sum menu from Ocean Treasure. Having opened in early December, the bar and restaurant has joined an ever growing list of night spots including Albert Schloss and Rudy’s.
Now open, Peaky Blinders, 23 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5QR, 0161 884 1292. www.peakyblindersmanchester.com
Food deal: The Refuge January offer
The Refuge are opening up their vaults and offering their Voltini menu at a special price. For £15 diners can get a choice of 6 dishes including Salt cod croquettes, aioli and Beetroot pakora, tamarind ketchup a carafe of wine can be added for £5. If you’re one of many doing Dry January, you can add a Seedlip cocktail instead. Make sure to book in advance to take advantage of the offer. Check out some other food deals in January here.
The Refuge by Volta, Oxford Street, Manchester M60 7HA, www.refugemcr.co.uk
Halle Place food hall opens in the Arndale
After a lot of work, and a twitter famous half escalator, Halle Place has opened with a massive prosecco bar, and a selection of restaurants to keep you fed whilst shopping without having to resort to the fast food court. An £11 million redevelopment has seen prosecco bar Frizzenti join the Arndale as well as Wolf Italian Street Food and another store front for Barburrito. More restaurants and bars will be added over the coming months.
Now open, Halle Place, 16-18 Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3AB, www.manchesterarndale.com
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 8 Jan 2019
