Manchester food news ft. The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats, Tom Kerridge’s new restaurant, Beardless Beer Week & more

There was great sadness among Manchester’s sushi lovers when news hit that the much loved Japanese restaurant Umezushi was to close its doors a few weeks back. The folks behind the acclaimed dining spot said they’d be back at some point with a new concept and they’ve wasted no time. Less than a month after closing, they’ve reopened in the same space with a new concept – fish and chips. Chish and Fips is, as the name suggests, a small reinvention of the beloved dish with a Japanese and Taiwanese twist. The menu will focus on £10 fish boxes with a choice of battered fish and sweet potato, courgette or normal chips. Expect tempura more than traditional chip shop batter and very high quality fish. Find out more here.

It’s becoming harder to recognise the Ancoats of old as the Ancoats of new takes over with plenty of glass fronted bars, restaurants and apartments shooting up. But – a blast from the distant past is set to be resurrected as The Edinburgh Castle pub opens this Thu 14 Nov. The pub dates back to 1811 and was most recently used as the setting for theatre company Anu’s immersive production Angel Meadows. With The Shamrock lined up to be reopened next year, this means Ancoats will have two pubs to give it the feeling of a neighbourhood. The pub, on Cutting Room Square, is operated by the owners behind Cottonopolis and will also feature a 52 cover restaurant above called Cutting Room.

After what seems like an eternity of waiting, the much trailed opening of award-winning Chef Tom Kerridge’s The Bull & Bear happens this week. Fri 15 Nov will see the grand unveiling of Kerridge’s first Manchester restaurant as the Michelin-starred chef opens up in The Stock Exchange. Here, Kerridge is influenced by the classic British comfort food featured in two of his other ventures, The Coach and The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, with dishes from those restaurants making an appearance. Expect to see The Coach Burger with pulled pork and dill pickle, chicken kiev with cauliflower cheese alongside more classic dishes. The restaurant, in the venue part owned by ex-footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, aims to blur the lines between elegance and informality to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Interest around orange wine has been growing for a few years now but it’s more than just a fad and new Northern Quarter bar The Quick Brown Fox is hoping to show off its centuries-old history with a special exclusively orange wine tasting. Wed 13 Nov will see the bar showcase some of their favourite orange wines, highlighting the versatility of the wine itself. Tickets include tasting and charcuterie and cheese boards.

Rebel Chef star and social media darling Gary Usher has used twitter to announce that he’s launching a new pub. Details are scarce except, surprisingly, a full menu curated by head chef Richard Sharples. When it comes to location, Derbyshire seems to be a good bet, as it is currently without one of the Elite Bistro’s spots so expect a crowdfunding attempt to be whisking its way over the Peaks any day now. In other, less positive news, Usher’s King Street restaurant Kala has been forced to removed the distinctive ‘K’ from its window after a legal threat from an unnamed business. Thankfully the business gets to keep its full title and will not be shortened to Ala.

Great Ancoats Street boozer The Crown & Kettle are bringing back their Beardless Beer Week for 2019 this November. Fighting against the stereotype that beer and brewing is all just blokes and beards, their ten day event celebrates the women in the beer trade, from the brewers to the journalists and the pourers. For over a week there’s a variety of events, as well as a continual supply of beer brewed by women. One of the highlights for beer fans will be the beer and cheese pairing on Sun 24 Nov with award-winning beer writer Melissa Cole. There’ll also be local singer Sally Mason serenading at a couple of sessions and a beardless beer bingo event from Beatnikz. If fruit is more your thing there’s even the launch of Cider Women on Thu 28 Nov celebrating women cider makers from around the country. Of course, being one of the most welcoming boozers in the city, everyone is welcome, beardy or not.

There’s many a person who will tell you that there are few finer days out then a couple of pints and a pork pie at The Magnet – and they’ll presumably be at the Stockport pub to toast to ten years of its success. From the 15 -17 Nov, the pub promises live music, street food in its large back beer garden and plenty of beer on its many taps. Leaf Promotions are also providing original local acts on Friday and Saturday to enjoy a Sonoma over.