Manchester’s food and drink news from Monday 30 November includes the opening of Evelyn’s, a new project from the team behind progressive Indian restaurant Mughli, GRUB’s Christmas fair with craft beer, singers and santa at Sadler’s Yard, discounts at the Town Hall’s Sculpture Hall Cafe, a visit from Aldo Zilli and – just what you’ve been waiting for! – an entirely unseasonal ‘garden’ for socialising in Spinningfields’ Leftbank.

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar opens in Northern Quarter
This week has seen the NQ welcome another new addition to its already vibrant food and drink scene, as the Zanna Group eateries – the team behind Mughli (in Manchester, Knutsford and Alderley Edge) – open their newest venture, Evelyn’s. Occupying the former Superstore unit on Tib Street, the cafe bar offers a fresh, new place to catch up over a coffee or cocktail while still enjoying great food. The menu boasts some truly original takes on foodie favourites, with a wide variety of globally inspired dishes including white fish ceviche with yuzu, lemongrass, shallots and avocado (£7) and their unique take on the ever-popular burger – pairing theirs with sriracha mayo, kimchi and fries (£12.50). There is a strong emphasis on organic wines, which make up a third of the list, and the sleek cocktail menu again features some fascinating twists on the classics, with the Hemingway Daquiri and the English 75 looking particularly intriguing. With a strong feeling of nostalgia, distinctive style and welcoming ambience, Evelyn’s looks good too. If you need a caffeine boost, they are charging just £1 for takeaway coffees on weekdays until the end of the year.
Evelyn’s Cafe Bar, G18 Smithfield Buildings, Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1NB. Tel: 0161 834 3303, Open 9am – 11pm daily, www.evelynscafebar.com

GRUB Christmas Food Fair ft. street food, singing & Santa
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year as Manchester foodie favourites GRUB hold their first ever GRUB Christmas Food Fair. For one day only, the event organisers are promising to bring us a full-on festive extravaganza featuring beers from local craft brewers including Black Jack, Runaway Brewery and Weird Beard Brew Co. as well as a selection of mulled wines and ciders. Food will be provided by Mei Mei’s Street Cart, Caribou Poutine, Fritto Italian Street Food and BakeORama – and the whole thing will be soundtracked by Jo Dudderidge (of The Travelling Band) & The Wicked Path plus Joe Webster (of Mind on Fire Collective) on the decks. In true festive spirit there will be carols sung by She Choir Manchester and the Northern Quarter Boys Choir, and Santa himself will be in attendance – available for #santaselfies.
Sat 5 Dec, Sadler’s Yard, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AB. 12pm – 8pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Aldo Zilli at San Carlo Bottega
If you fancy celebrating Christmas ‘Italian style’, head over to Selfridges for an evening with San Carlo’s Chef Consiglière, Aldo Zilli. The celebrity chef is cooking up a five-course set tasting menu, showcasing Italian cuisine. Guests will of course be greeted with a glass of Prosecco on arrival, followed by five festive dishes including a smoked salmon tartare rich veal tortellini, slow cooked beef-cheek and traditional Italian chestnut cake.
Wed 2 Dec, San Carlo Bottega, Selfridges & Co, 1 Exchange Square, Manchester, M3 1BD. Tel: 0161 838 0540, 7pm, £50 per person (£20 booking fee, redeemable), www.sancarlobottega.co.uk

25% off at the Town Hall’s Sculpture Hall Cafe
In the run up to Christmas, Sculpture Hall Café, located inside the Town Hall, is offering 25% off its North West-inspired menu. Call ahead to book and ask about the discount.
Sculpture Hall Cafe, 2 Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2JT. Tel: 0161 827 8767, Mon–Fri 9am – 6pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm, www.manchester.gov.uk

The Garden social space opens in Spinningfields
December this week will also see the official launch of The Garden at Leftbank, Spinningfields’ newest open green space where people can eat, drink, socialise and relax.
Launches Thu 3 Dec, The Garden, Irwell Square, Leftbank Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AG.Tel: 0161 914 7830. 6pm – 8pm, FREE, www.spinningfieldsonline.com

Tue 1 Dec - Thu 31 Dec
Words:
Ben Hayward
Published on:
Tue 1 Dec 2015