Representatives of Manchester's China Town restaurants have staged a protest against plans to abolish free Sunday parking. 50 people delivered a letter to the Town Hall from the Manchester China Town Action Group, which says the move would hurt business and spoil a traditional family day. Warren Yeung, owner of the Little Yang Sing, said "A lot of businesses, particularly restaurants, are on their knees because of the recession. It's not just China Town that will suffer, it will affect the rest of the city centre as well. It will drive people to go to the Trafford Centre." ~ 29th July 2011
Hot on the heels of opening his first restaurant over the Pennines in his home city of Leeds, TV chef James Martin has announced he's set to open a fine dining restaurant in Manchester before Christmas. He claims to be looking at three venues, which, from what we've been told, includes an excellent restaurant who are currently in our 'Best Restaurants in Manchester' list, and an empty unit near the Town Hall.
EastZEast beat off competition from Mughli, Zaika, Zouk, and Akbars to win the Best Manchester Restaurant award at The English Curry Awards which were held in Manchester on the 25th July. Nawaab in Levenshulme won the National Team of the Year and Saajan the best Northwest Takeaway. Indian Ocean in Tameside pipped Blue Tiffin in Oldham and Indigo in Romiley to the Best North West restaurant title.
Papa G's Greek & Cypriot restaurant has reigned supreme in The Printworks 'Burger-Off' competition which aimed to find which of their nine restaurants offered the best burger. The competition, which was held on July 25th as part of National Gourmet Burger Week, was judged by a panel of four critics including local celebrity chef, Robert Owen-Brown. Waxy O'Connors came a close second with their Irish Burger, complete with Ballymaloe relish and chedder cheese
Fresh from his success of forcing the European Commission to recommend the end of discarding fish in last week's proposed reforms of the Common Fisheries Policy, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has announced he'll be taking time out from his campaign to appear at the Manchester Food & Drink Festival in October. The celebrity chef will demonstrate his cooking skills, answer questions and sign copies of his new book.
The Second Floor Restaurant at Harvey Nichols has been chosen as the preferred caterer for its next door neighbour, Manchester Cathedral. The stunning city centre landmark, which dates back to 700 AD, can now host an array of private events from intimate dinners in the chapel, to grand gala celebrations for up to 800 guests; all under the creative directorship of the Harvey Nichols restaurant team.
Piccolino are set to expand into the empty unit vacated by Ego next door. ~ 29th Jul
Malmaison has sold its Manchester hotel to Legal & General and will lease it back over 70 years at £6m a year. Four other properties were also sold in a deal that will reduce the company's £272m debts. ~ 20th Jul
Harvester Restaurants are set to open a new Restaurant in the empty unit next door to Lime Bar at The Lowry in Salford Quays. The only other Harvester restaurants in the region are The Ashton Moss, The Atherleigh, Horwich Park Inn, and The Sir Winston Churchill in Rochdale ~ 19th Jul
The empty Orlando's in Chorlton is set to make way for an all-you-can-eat Mexican diner. ~ 14th Jul
The 18 year old Cachumba Asian and African spice restaurant in West Didsbury has closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen in August 2011. ~ 14th Jul
The top restaurateur lined up, with the aim of bringing Manchester its first Michelin star, in the redeveloped county court house on Deansgate has been named as Steve Pilling, the creator of Sam's Chop House & Mr Thomas's Chop House. His partner in the 450 cover Mr Pilling's Roast Restaurant and Oyster Bar will be chef Simon Stanley, who worked with Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc before teaming up with Pilling at their other projects, Damson in Heaton Moor and The Red Lion in High Lane, Stockport. ~ 8th Jul
James Hitchen's Southern 11 Tennessee-style barbeque pit have moved from the Arndale to the 115 cover site next to Pure Gym in Spinnigfields, opening on 7th July. ~ 7th Jul
Jamie Oliver is set to open his 25th and biggest Jamie's Italian restaurant to date at the end of 2011 in the stunning former HSBC Bank on King Street. He is currently looking for an Assistant Manager, Head Chef and Sous Chef to oversee what is set to be one of Manchester's busiest kitchens with 30 chefs. ~ 7th Jul
Malmaison are set to replace their brasserie with Smoak, a 163-seat upmarket New England-style steakhouse on July 25th. It will feature a smoke grill and an upmarket 'Ember Lounge' cocktail bar. ~ 5th Jul
Asian noodle chain Wagamama, which own 100 restaurants around the world, including those at The Printworks and Spinningfields in Manchester, are the lastest operator to announce plans for a new unit at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays. Based next to the new Prezzo, they will open in early 2012. ~ 4th Jul
Following a £1.5m refurbishment, the owners of the Manchester/Sheffield Felicini restaurant group will reopen The Smithy pub in Cheadle Hulme on July 22nd as The Pointing Dog gastro pub. ~ 4th Jul
