Despite the last remnants of summer quickly fading, Manchester’s food & drink scene continues to deliver plenty to keep us going through the Autumn months.

Here’s a rundown of the latest goings on across the city–from canal-side natural wine and cheese, to free pints at Bundobust’s new gaff.

Batard’s bakes to get a permanent home on Princess Street

Another of Manchester’s many lockdown success stories, Batard, are set to open a bakery and kitchen at SEESAW co-working space.

After their pop-up operation proved a resounding success, Lewis Loughman—founding baker of Gooey—along with fellow chef Dorothy Jaffa, will begin their permanent setup on Princess Street towards the end of this month, with an official opening date TBC.

Along with the delectable bakes their immense popularity has been built on, local favourites like Littlewoods Butchers and The Crafty Cheese Man will chip in for a menu that covers both breakfast and lunch.
SEESAW co-working space, 86 Princess St, M16NG, Opening date TBC (expected end of September) 

 

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Build-your-own hotpot at Chinatown newcomer XiongQi

A particularly exciting addition to China Town comes in the form of XiongQi, where visitors can sample traditional hot pot dining.

Offering a far more hands-on experience than a regular meal out, visitors can choose a variety of meat, fish and veg, all of which is cooked by yourself at the table using your own boiling broth of choice.

The longer you stick around, the more the ingredients begin to merge, transforming the broth and creating these constantly-shifting, explosive flavours that make the slight manual labour involved, totally worth it.

Located on Faulkner street, right alongside the ever-popular Pho Cue, XiongQi is now open everyday from 12pm-10pm.
XiongQi, 56 Faulkner St, Manchester M14FH

Higher ground’s new natural wine venue Flawd opens in Ancoats

Manchester’s recent and welcome affinity with natural wine continues, as the folks behind Higher Ground continue life at a sure-to-be popular spot in New Islington.

After a string of wildly successful pop-ups with the likes of Kampus, Pollen and Mackie Mayor, the team turn their attention to a more permanent home next to Ancoats marina under the name Flawd.

Complete with their own outdoor terrace, Flawd specialises in natural, low-intervention wine and the best craft beer from across the UK and Europe. For anyone feeling peckish, a small food menu showcases some of the best cheeses, charcuterie and ferments Britain has to offer.
Flawd, Unit 3, Mansion House, Marina Promenade, New Islington M46JL. Wed-Thurs: 5pm-11pm / Fri-Sat: 5pm-11:30pm / Sun: 5pm-11pm

 

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New Cricket-themed chain Sixes now open in the Corn Exchange

Celebrating one of the oldest games in the world, Sixes lets guests face off in the batting nets, while simultaneously sipping through a comprehensive cocktail list.

Along with the simulators—of which you can adjust the difficulty depending on your cricketing experience—guests can book tables to watch live sport and chow down on an ever-changing seasonal menu inspired by “Great British BBQ culture”.

Sixes’ newest spot is open in the Corn Exchange now. Better get practicing your reverse sweep…
Sixes, Corn Exchange, Cathedral St, M43TR, Mon: 4pm-12am / Tues-Thurs: 12pm-12am / Fri: 12pm-1am / Sat: 10am-1am / Sun: 10am-10pm

Free pints at Bundobust’s new brewery on Oxford Street

Now this is a VERY exciting one. It’s been a long time coming, but the beloved Bundobust have finally set an opening date for their much-anticipated brewery location.

Their second Manchester venue will take the same mouthwatering modern take on Indian dining and combine it with a 150-seat taproom, all set in the Grade II-listed St James Building on Oxford Street.

Doors will open at 4pm on Thursday 16th September, with the first 200 pints going for free (when ordered with food).
St James’s Bldg, Bundobust Brewery, 61-69 Oxford St, M16EQ, Open every day from Thursday 16th September

 

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Six by Nico embrace weird with new Guilty Pleasures menu

We’ve all got habits we’re not particularly proud of when it comes to culinary creations—Super Noodle butties, Maccies chips dipped in milkshake, that sort of thing—however, they’re usually enjoyed behind closed doors, free from judgement.

Six by Nico are taking a different approach—instead fully embracing the art of the guilty pleasure, switching up their signature six-course tasting menu to celebrate the dishes you wouldn’t usually want to shout about.

Courses include: Straight From the Can, which is a special twist on tuna ceviche, a spiced belly of suckling lamb kebab and an alternative spaghetti bolognese recipe that intriguingly includes…octopus.

As always, there’s an alternative vegetarian menu too. Spaghetti Hoops, Nico’s Fried Celeriac and Cauliflower Curry all serve up delicious plant-based options. Fancy it? The new menu drops on September 20th, and will stick around until October 31st.
Six by Nico, 60 Spring Gardens, M22BQ, September 20th-October 31st

 

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Words:
Bradley Lengden
Published on:
Mon 13 Sep 2021