With Easter fast approaching, and three Bank Holidays to cram full of stuff to do, there is no better time than now to fill up on all sorts of food and drink news. You can find out what Southern supermarkets think of our food, check out two new sites from two much loved burger joints – Honest and Archie’s, as well as a new record store and cafe from some familiar Manchester bar names.
Manchester mentions in the Good Food Guide 2019
It may not have any Michelin stars yet (you may have heard, though it’s barely mentioned) but that doesn’t mean Manchester doesn’t have its fair share of good places to get some food. In case you need to know which these are, in handy list form, then the Good Food Guide 2019 will let you know 33 Manchester restaurants are worthy of a spot, but just one of these in the Top 50. Adam Reid at The French is the unsurprising winner of that honour whilst El Gato, Mi & Pho, and The Pasta Factory are among the others to get in the book. Obviously, all these and more are covered by your friendly neighbourhood website, and no trees were cut down for Wire.
Good Food Guide is out now, £15.99 published by Waitrose. www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk
Archie’s close to opening at the Arndale’s Halle Place
After a few bits of bad news for the Arndale’s Halle Place recently, it seems things might finally be looking up. The much anticipated site for shake and burger bar Archie’s is set to open up in the next couple of weeks. It’s hard not to spot Archie’s pink branding either down Oxford Road, or on their hoardings on Piccadilly Approach, or under the escalators in the Arndale so it’s sure to be a packed one from the start for those looking for their sugary fix from Archie’s mammoth milkshakes.
Opening April, Archie’s, Halle Place, Arndale Centre, M4 1AZ, follow @lovearchies for up to date news.
Honest Burgers Now Open on Bridge Street with Runaway Tap Room
It’s been a long time coming but Honest Burgers has finally opened up in Manchester. The London burger chain already has an outpost in Edinburgh, and is now bringing its much lauded meat sandwich to the North-West. Setting up in burger lobbing distance from Dishoom and Crazy Pedro’s, Honest have taken over the short-lived Garage site on Bridge Street with a complete refurb. To welcome themselves into the neighbourhood, the chain has created a Manchester Burger, complete with Bury black pudding and Runaway beer cheese sauce. Talking of Runaway, they’ll be hosting their taproom from Thursday to Sunday every week, upstairs. Up one more flight and you can step out onto the heated roof terrace. With burgers ranging from £9-£12.50 with the addictive rosemary chips, that could become a very popular spot over Summer.
Open Now, Honest Burgers, 36 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BT, www.honestburgers.co.uk
Neighbourhood closed until further notice
Talking of the Bridge Street neighbourhood, Neighbourhood Bar has got itself into a bit more trouble again and has had its license revoked. The bar was a much loved spot for celebs and the Spinningfield crowd but after an alleged stabbing at the bar the police have said the bar cannot reopen. This comes not long after a temporary revoking of the club’s license following another incident with a knife last year. The bar’s owners seem keen to appeal this but for now the bar remains shut.
New Record Shop and Cafe in Withington Wilderness Now Open
Withington has welcomed a new record shop and cafe to its streets this past weekend. Wilderness Record Store opened up, aptly, on Record Store Day, and has taken over the site vacated by Deco Records that closed after 4 years. Opened by Junkyard Golf owner Lyndon Higginson, the record store will have an eclectic mix of vinyl and CDs, and will be expanding next door come June with a garden terrace and longer hours to come alongside the cafe.
Open now, Wilderness Record Store, 9 Egerton Crescent, Withington, M20 4PN, www.wildernesstrading.co.uk
Just announced: MFDF Wine and Fizz Festival coming in October
Manchester Food and Drink Festival have announced a new wine festival for Manchester coming this October. Manchester Cathedral will welcome the Wine and Fizz Festival in the first weekend of October, hosting sessions on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th. As well as bringing together brands and shops from around the city, the festival will be introducing Mancunians to producers from around the world with the venue split into four zones – Wines of the world, Fizz Quarter, English Wines, and a Food Matching Area – we think they are all pretty explanatory. With music on throughout, the aim seems to be on showing that wine fairs can be fun rather than fussy affairs. Tickets are £15 and are available now for the three sessions – one on Friday and two on Saturday
October 4th & 5th, Wine & Fizz Festival, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX, www.manchesterfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Stellenbosch Wine Tasting at Mackie Mayor
If October seems a bit far away for you to get your wine tasting fix, have no fear, as Reserve Wines has you covered. This Thursday, April 18th, sees a special tasting with the wine making husband and wife team Mick and Jeanine Craven of Craven Wines. Bringing 6 of their favourite wines from their base in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the couple will talk you through their range as well as their process. Tickets are £18 with 3 whites and 3 reds on offer on the private mezzanine level of Mackie Mayor.
Thu 18 Apr, Reserve Wines, Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, M4 5JZ, Tickets £18, www.eventbrite.co.uk
Co-Op to Open New Grocery Store in Ancoats
Ancoats General Store might be facing some stiff competition from a Manchester icon. Co-Op look set to bring one of their grocery stores to Ancoats, following a planning application from the chain. Whilst rumoured for a while, it seems confirmed that Blossom Street will see the Manchester based supermarket take over three vacant lots opposite Mana and next door to the proposed site of the new Blossom Street Social from the Hanging Ditch team.
Opening TBC, Co-Op, Blossom Street, Ancoats.
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 16 Apr 2019
