It may be difficult to know Summer has fully started beset as we are by Northern rain, but there are still plenty of outdoor events on the food and drink calendar to get excited about. Manchester Food & Drink Festival is bringing a couple of Manchester icons together for some vegan food and a chat whilst Grub is hosting a special wall to wall burger festival. More indoors, Common have got a new pizza venue and there’s a new space about to open up on Thomas Street, whilst Dogs ‘n’ Dough unfortunately shuts its doors at the end of the week.
Bundobust & Shaun Ryder Collaboration
When thinking of plant based food in Manchester, Bundobust is never far from one’s thoughts, Shaun Ryder however maybe less so. This might be changing now the unlikely pairing are getting together for a special vegan street food event as part of Manchester Food and Drink Festival. September 29 will see the Festival Hub, based in Cathedral Gardens for the 2019 event, become a celebration of all things plant and edible. Included in the day of vegan variety will be a talk between John Robb, a committed vegan, and Shaun Ryder, a less committed one, accompanied by a special banquet laid on by Bundobust. Also hosting events during the day will be Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney, former Allotment head honcho Matt Nutter, and a whole host of vegan specialising street food traders.
Sun 29 Sept, Vegan Street Food Fair, Cathedral Gardens, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3BG 12-4pm, www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
Grub Burger Special
Back to more regular street food fairs, and Grub is set to host its second ever themed festival later in the month. Starting on Friday 28th June and running through until Sunday 30th, the Mayfield Depot will greet a burger special. With over eight different vendors bringing a burger bonanza, including Bakeorama with a special cake burger and enough variations on traditional burgers to keep any sandwich lover satisfied, there will also be a tap takeover from the folks at Kernel Brewery. Don’t worry, vegan burger lovers, as is usual the Sunday will be 100% plant powered.
Fri Jun 28 – Sun Jun 30, Burger Food Fair, Grub, Mayfield Depot, M12 6HR, 12pm-10pm, Free, www.twitter.com/GRUBMCR
Wilderness Bar + Kitchen
After just a few months being open in Withington, Wilderness Bar + Kitchen is set to turn up at the old Odd and Folk and Soul spot on Thomas Street. The record shop and cafe will be focussing more on the food and drink side of things and you can read more about it here.
Open July, Wilderness Bar + Kitchen, 30-32 Thomas Street, NQ, Manchester, M4 1ER, www.wildernesstrading.co.uk
New Pizza Venture at Common
The Northern Quarter elder statesman Common has gone through a few iterations in its time, and hosted a few different types of food. Now, they’ve launched a brand new pizza venture for most Thursday nights. Teaming up with Jim Morgan, the man behind Rudy’s, is a smart move for anyone in the hunt for a pizza maker but they’ve taken a slight detour from the Neapolitan sourdough that made Rudy’s such a hit. Whilst the base is still thin, ‘8s’ will take their lead from NYC with larger pizzas able to be eaten by the slice. The massive 21 inch pizzas will be available as either a slice or a pie on most Thursdays when 8s will set up in the basement of Common.
Most Thursdays, Common, 39-41 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW, www.Twitter.com/Common_Bar
Levenshulme Reggae Night Market
One of Manchester’s most popular markets will be the setting for a special reggae themed night on Friday 14 June. Though the rain may suggest otherwise, Summer has descended on Manchester, and the folks at Levenshulme Market see no better way to celebrate than with some reggae tunes and a sizzling barbeque. There will be night time shopping as well as the usual raft of street food vendors and a DJ set from Ruf. Beers from Buxton Brewery will feature alongside Hungry Little Critters’ authentic Jamaican street food, the Samosa Shack, and a whole heap of others set to reggae tunes filling the dancefloor. There’ll be fingers crossed before then that the market will be celebrating victory in the BBC Food Awards, with the popular spot up for Best Shop or Market, when they’re announced on Wednesday.
Fri 14 June, Reggae Night Market, Levenshulme Market, Levenshulme Train Station Car Park, M19 3AB, 5-9pm, www.twitter.com/LevyMarket
Dogs ‘n Dough to Close
For those of you who liked your video games with a slice of pizza and a hot dog on the side, it’s sad news that Dogs ‘n’ Dough is set to close this Sunday. 16 Jun will be the final day for the Bow Lane venue, though they promise to be back very soon. 17Below, the arcade underneath, is unaffected by this announcement but if you want to enjoy the pizza and hot dog joint before they go, happy hour Monday to Friday between 4 and 7 is as good a time as any.
Closes Sun 16 Jun, Dogs ‘n’ Dough, 7 Bow Ln, M2 4FW, www.Twitter.com/DogsNDough
Central Pri-Perk
Finally, if you’re a big fan of the Friends gang, you’ll be excited to hear that a replica of Central Perk has landed at Primark. If you were a fan of the main character, Gunther and his six acquaintances, you’ll be excited to see where he worked and buy a coffee and a whole host of Central Perk branded stuff.
Open now, Central Perk, Primark, 106 – 122 Market St, Manchester M1 1WA, 0161 923 4772
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 11 Jun 2019
