Manchester Valentine’s food & drink round up ft. vegan & dessert supper clubs & Grub

This week’s food and drink news is largely Valentine’s related – but there’s a whole host of eating and drinking to be done that breaks the rules. We recommend North Star’s Vegan Valentines spectacular, a Lady and The Tramp themed supper club, The Real Junk Food Project, Casablanca and cocktails at Kosmonaut and much more…

Book now: Ethical, waste-using The Real Junk Food Project pop up at The Koffee Pot
Heading back to one of their original venues, the food waste champions will be rustling up a menu from food otherwise destined for landfill, at The Koffee Pot. Based on Oldham Street, they will open the bar and have made it clear that doesn’t operate under the pay-as-you-feel basis! But the food does. You can pay the amount you think the food was worth with cash or via PayPal on the night, with all funds raised going back into the project. Booking is required, register your free place via the link below.
Wed 8 Feb, 7-11pm, The Koffee Pot, 84-86 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE. Tel: 0161 236 8918, 7pm, pay what you like, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Cinema & food pop up: The Village Screen & Bar at Victoria Baths
The Village Screen is back, opening up Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths for screenings of 10 Things I Hate About You, Beauty and the Beast and Moonrise Kingdom over a two day stint this weekend. More information and tickets available via the link below. During the screenings, The Village Screen bar will be open, serving up prosecco, wine and craft beer, plus food pop-ups Prove Pizza, Caribou Poutine and Ginger’s Comfort Emporium will be on hand with sweet and savoury food options.
Fri 10-Sat 11 Feb, Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE. Tel: 0161 224 2020, times and prices vary, www.thevillagegreenevents.co

This Saturday: GRUB Food Fair at Alphabet Brewing Company
As if they’d never been away, GRUB Food Fair marches on, occupying Alphabet Brewing Company underneath the arches. Just a five minute walk from Piccadilly train station, the bar serves up the brewery’s beers straight from the source as well as a variety of ciders, wine and soft drinks. They accept cards, but remember to bring cash for the food stalls. This week, food options come from Manchester street food stalwarts, with burgers from What’s Your Beef, Latin American cuisine from Yakumama, mezze from The Ottö-Men and handmade treats from The Manchester Doughnut Company. There will also be a guest appearance from London pop-up outfit, the Raclette Brothers. Bringing the traditional Swiss dish to proceedings, they’ll be serving it onto garlic potatoes and there’s talk of them doing a collaboration with What’s Your Beef to make the ultimate oozy burger.
Sat 11 Feb, Alphabet Brewing Company, 99 North western Street, Manchester, M12 6JL, noon-10pm, www.facebook.com

Book now: Lady and the Tramp-themed supper club at Claire’s Market Café
With couples, friends and family welcome, this weekend sees a Lady and the Tramp-themed supper club arrive at Smithfield Market. It’s a ‘bring your own booze’ arrangement, but there will be a specially concocted gin and wine pairing on offer. The menu begins with a starter of duck prosciutto salad, with home-cured duck breast, chicory, pickled mushrooms and crispy noodles and a plum and sesame seed dressing. An artichoke soup will follow before a main of the film’s classic dish, spaghetti and meatballs. To finish, there will be a rhubarb baked cheesecake with custard cream base and rhubarb jelly. Tickets are £26 per person, available via the link below.
Sat 11 Feb, Bella Notte Supper Club, Claire’s Market Café, A27 New Smithfield Market, Manchester, M11 2WJ, 7.30pm, £26, www.facebook.com

Film screening & matched cocktails: Casablanca at Kosmonaut (pictured)
Northern Quarter bar Kosmonaut will be screening classic film Casablanca this Sunday. To accompany Sam playing it again, they will be offering a menu of classic cocktails, inspired by the story. Tickets include the film and two cocktails, available via the link below.
Sun 12 Feb, Kosmonaut, 10 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF,4-8pm. £12, www.eventbrite.com

Book now: Valentine’s supper club at the Kitchens
The Spinningfields-based restaurants Platzki, Yard Food Shop and Beastro are joining forces to bring a six-course menu to couples, solo diners and groups alike. Beginning with Jamaican cho cho soup, a ham hock bon bon will follow, served with crispy belly pork. Then, lemon thyme dumpling stuffed with confit duck and cherry jus, before moving on to lamb loin stuffed with black pudding, crushed pea, pancetta and beef dripping potato. A final savoury course of jerk chicken with rice and peas will be served before a walnut cake dessert, on a bed of almond mousse, accompanied by Polish mead.
Tue 14 Feb, The Kitchens, Leftbank, Manchester, M3 3AG, 7pm, £35, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Book now: 5-course Vegan Valentines supper club at North Star Deli
Conveniently located next to Chorlton tram stop, North Star Deli has created an ‘aphrodisiac-filled five-course taste explosion’ for that special vegan in your life. The menu begins with black figs, roasted beetroot and quinoa salad, followed by courgette pasta with grilled asparagus and Himalayan salt with Mediterranean vegetables. The main course is Moroccan spiced chickpeas with roasted cauliflower, apricot and giant cous cous, ending with an avocado lime cheesecake.
Tue 14 Feb, North Star Delicatessen, 418 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 0SD. Tel: 0161 237 9619, 7-10pm, £25, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Book now: Dessert Supper Club at And the Dish Ran Away with The Spoon
The monthly supper club is offering diners an alternative experience this Valentine’s Day, with all guests invited to gorge on their delicious homemade desserts. They invite couples wanting to do something different, groups en masse, and sweet tooth enthusiasts. There is more information on the link below plus a contact, should you need to check on dietary requirements.
Tue 14 Feb, And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, 230 Burton Road, Manchester, M20 2LW. TeL0161 637 5517 7.30-10.30pm, £25, www.eventbrite.co.uk

IN SHORT
Reminder: Malaysian Food Fair is coming this Sat 11 Fen to Trinty Sport Centre on Cambridge Street; the next food pop up at Ancoats General Store will be bagels and subs from Eat New York on Thu 9 Feb, 12-8pm.