According to the AA, big hitting Simon Rogan at The French is the only restaurant in Manchester which is better than Room, based on them awarding it the highly prestigious accolade of 2 rosettes; something which is not to be sniffed at. A bold claim on paper, especially with the city's foodie ante being somewhat upped in recent times. Still, Room have held onto this award for a while now, long before the celebrated new boys landed in town. Was AA's claim on the money?... [click here for full review]
Turtle Bay; the Bristol based Caribbean bar/restaurant has come to Manchester following a lavish launch event yesterday evening. Located in the former Alibi unit on Oxford Street. Around £1 million has been invested into the venture, with authentic feeling Caribbean décor setting the scene beautifully. Local VIPs and celebrities including Shayne Ward and the cast of Corry were on hand to join the party. Live reggae bands provided the entertainment, whilst the crowd and staff all joined in with the party vibe until well the night.
Turtle Bay offers a cascade of lively food and drink from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad, including beers, cocktails, jerk chicken, patties, and other spicy Caribbean treats. It’s a niche which has yet to be truly exploited in Manchester, and based on our spicy samples last night, a niche which will be well and truly filled before very long.
The management team explained to us how excited they are to get things started, meet new customers and make new friends, not to mention being incredibly enthusiastic about the food and drink offerings. Head Chef Colin Scott stated that the menu will be heavily authentic, with European twists along the way. Chicken wings, salt fish, patties, spicy prawns and succulent ribs all went down a treat with the crowd, who also enjoyed the genuine Caribbean bar offerings including staple such as Red Stripe beer, the lethally delicious Wray and Nephew over-proof rum, and one of our personal favourites; Koko Kanu premium coconut rum.
Based on the party atmosphere from last night's bash, it looks like Manchester has a new destination. Turtle Bay opens on Friday May 30th.
On a weekend when the Manchester 10k run was taking part, we thought it wiser to avoid any of this athletic lark and instead head out for a Sunday roast, doing in a bit of extremely tiring 10k spectating on the way. Sadly, when considering places to find a quality Sunday roast, ideas were slightly less common than the number of runners on the streets of Manchester.
Luckily for us, Grill On The Alley who have been serving fine steaks and generally good quality dishes for many a year now, have recently revamped their Sunday Lunch menu and invited us down to sample the new Sunday offerings. Just after 2pm we ventured through their doors with as much enthusiasm as a 10k'er starting their race. It's fair to say that a Sunday roast isn’t something which instantly comes to mind when considering this long standing Manchester favourite. [click here for full review]
Manchester’s first-class Italian, Rosso Restaurant has created a delectable new À La Carte Menu, boasting traditional cuisine, sensational seafood, exquisite meats and enticing delicacies, designed to please the palette and tantalize the taste buds.
Passionately hand crafted by head chef Steve Hildebrandt, the new À La Carte is a flamboyant fusion of Italian and English cookery, bursting with fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce. Steve’s signature Spring dish IPPOGLOSSO comes in the shape of a flavoursome fish, the “pan seared halibut topped with English asparagus, samphire grass set with a lemon and prosecco jus.”
“I chose this dish because we can source fantastic Halibut loin from our fishmonger at the moment and with the new season English asparagus coming through it is a great combination. Add a few samphire sprigs for a salty hit and our estate bottled Domus Picta Prosecco for a modern English/Italian marriage.” – Steve Hildebrandt
Part-owned by football star Rio Ferdinand, Rosso has established itself as an esteemed, luxury eatery among celebrity and city diners alike. The lavish venue regularly dishes up for famous faces such as David Beckham, James Corden, Coleen Rooney, Harry Styles and a host of soap & showbiz stars.
Situated on Spring Gardens at the top of King Street, Rosso’s beautiful 116-year-old Grade II listed building, is bursting with historical character inside and out; hosting high vintage ceilings, magnificent marble and elegant antique details.
Inspired by the timeless journey that is the Italian meal, Rosso’s lavish bar boasts a stunning selection of delicious drinks, with fine sparkling wines, explosive spirits and top-notch cocktails to accompany your meal and thereafter. Live musical talents entertain guests from Sunday through to Friday, with an eclectic blend of deep jazz, modern classics and swing.
For the ultimate dining experience, be sure to visit Rosso to sample the fresh culinary delights À La Carte has to offer.
Manchester’s new Caribbean restaurant & Bar - let the carnival commence! It's all about rum, reggae and jerk this Spring. Caribbean restaurant and bar, Turtle Bay, is set to open its doors in Manchester this May, bringing a brand new, loud, proud Caribbean dining and drinking experience to the city.
The restaurant and bar celebrates the lively, colourful, soulful and, above all, delicious experiences that the Caribbean has to offer - from explosive flavours to laid back ‘liming’. Their mission? To capture the spirit of celebration that the Caribbean is famed for around the globe - making customers happy by delivering a hedonistic combination of joyous food, delightful drinks and a fun, laidback atmosphere
The £1m, 8000 square foot Manchester development will be located on Oxford Street in the site previously occupied by Alibi Bar. The operation will create 70 jobs. It will feature a 250 cover restaurant space, a large central island bar and indoor ‘veranda’ style drinking spaces – the venue is designed to encourage long, lazy lunches, as well as high octane parties with plenty of space for everything in between!
Food is at the heart of the Turtle Bay experience – just like its central to the heart and soul of Caribbean culture. An eclectic cuisine that is influenced by a rich tapestry of ethnicities, the food at Turtle Bay offers a vast choice of bold flavours and rustic authentic dishes, all inspired by the laid back, social outlook of the Caribbean.
Ajith Jayawickrema, Turtle Bay Founder, commented:“We can’t wait to throw the doors open to Manchester! Turtle Bay is about great food and good times, simple as that. We think the people of Manchester will love what we have to offer, as it’s a city known for its no nonsense approach to high quality food and drink, and of course one that knows how to have a good time! We think we’ll fit in well in our new home” Turtle Bay Restaurant and Bar is set to open on 30th May 2014
Manchester's Italian food mecca San Carlo are set to launch their 5th venue. Fumo, an offshoot of the groups Birmingham cousins, looks set for launch in October, will be the groups largest restaurant yet, and will be based in the still under construction One St Peters Square building. The venture will also receive input from celebrated Italian Chef, Aldo Zilli.
_ 29 May 2014
Manchester city council have received a planning application for a new restaurant/bar. 'Sausage' will be operated by Bites Restaurant Ltd, and will be located in Unit C at 11 St James's Square. A fresco dining looks to be on the cards, as the application also includes permission for alcohol consumption at outside tables, subject to a separate tables and chairs licence. _ 29 May 2014
Hot on the opening of their Louis Roederer room, legendary Lancashire foodies destination Northcote has expanded its operations in the form of new bedrooms, a redecorated dining room, and also an onsite cookery academy. The restaurant is widely believed to be pushing for 2 Michelin stars, and such moves will only reinforce this possibility. _ 23 May 2014
Hot on the opening of their Louis Roederer room, legendary Lancashire foodies destination Northcote has expanded its operations in the form of new bedrooms, a redecorated dining room, and also an onsite cookery academy. The restaurant is widely believed to be pushing for 2 Michelin stars, and such moves will only reinforce this possibility.
_ 23 May 2014
Pop superstar Katy Perry shunned the celeb haunts during her recent concert in Manchester. She and her entourage instead opted for an evening at the Albert Square Chop House, to enjoy some classic pub grub. Good girl. _ 21 May 2014
Northern Quarter's Home Sweet Home are creating some special, wacky donuts for National Doughnut Week. Concoctions include Bacon and Egg, Peanut butter, and Jack Daniels. _ 15 May 2014
The UKs biggest BBQ festival,; Grillstock, is due to return to Manchester on June 28th and 29th. After its maiden event in Manchester last summer, the event looks set to return in an even bigger and bolder format, with 28 teams competing in the BBQ completion which is part of the overall festival. _ 01 May 2014
The former Eat unit in Spinningfields is to be rehoused by Wahu this June, in a start-up which will create 15 new jobs. Wahu allows customers to heavily personalise their meals and their ingredients, and will offer a comprehensive dining experience, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, both to eat in and take away._ 01 May 2014
