Now open: Tast Cuina Catalana on King Street

As we previously reported, the pedestrianised part of King Street has welcomed a new high-profile restaurant this summer. Taking over the three-storey spot previously occupied by Suri – and Quill before it – Tast Cuina Catalana joins the neighbouring El Gato Negro, as well as nearby Lunya, Iberica and Tapeo & Wine, to add to the city’s high-end Spanish offerings. What sets Tast apart, however, is its ‘tastets’ – Catalan-inspired small portions and nibbles to savour and to share – that definitely aren’t tapas. We visited on a weekday evening and found the place, which is stylish but minimally decorated, bustling with a mixed crowd of food fans of all ages. Highlights from a sample menu included Espinacs a la Catalana – a rich spinach dish also featuring pine nuts and raisins – and Arròs de Verdures, a vegetarian paella-style dish that stood out above all others. The six-section food menu also features bakery items, charcuterie and cheeses, small bites and fried bites at various sizes and prices – from croquetas at £1.70 per piece to the £22 charcuterie board. A separate dessert menu included a ubiquitous Crema Catalana, but we tried the Pinya, Toffee I Mango – a light and fruity option incorporating sage. Tast’s executive chef Paco Pérez, who has two two-star Michelin restaurants to his name, is behind this innovative menu, while investors include the likes of Man City manager Pep Guardiola, plus its director of football Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano. The 120-cover restaurant boasts a private dining room on the top floor and casual, long-table options on the ground floor, as well as the first-floor dining room with an open kitchen.

Tast Cuina Catalana, 20-22 King Street, Manchester, M2 6AG, Tel: 0161 806 0547, Opening times vary (closed Mondays), www.tastcatala.com