Following the success of Bakerie bread and wine bar, which hit the Northern Quarter in November 2011, the hotly anticipated Bakerie Tasting Store opens on the 27th April at The Hive, next door. Serving quality wines and freshly baked bread to take home alongside small plates of food and wine flights in the store, this unique concept will also house Manchester’s first wine dispenser which preserves opened bottles of wine for at least two weeks in perfect condition. ~ 27 Apr
2,400 strong pub, restaurant and hotel group Greene King have announced a 4.5% year-on-year increase in sales with a 6.7% increase in food sales up to 15th April, thanks largely to the March heatwave. Mother's Day meal sales were up 16% with wine sales up 18%.
The group had enjoyed record Christmas sales although an earlier Easter saw flat sales. Greene King operate Loch Fyne, Hungry Horse and Exchange Bars together with The Royal Oak in Chorlton, Orange Grove in Fallowfield, Ye Olde Cock in Didsbury and The Kings Ransom in Sale. ~ 23 Apr
The restaurants at The Lowry Outlet, next to The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays, have enjoyed a 21.4% year-on-year increase in sales, thanks largely to the increased footfall from MediaCityUK next door. The food court and seven restaurants, including Burger King, Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, Pond Quay, PIzza Express Harvester and Lime, have all benefited from the arrival of the BBC, Salford University and SIS amongst others. ~ 13 Apr
The latest company to run Manchester restaurant guide, Manchester Confidential, has been wound-up following a petition brought against it by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs. Cpub Ltd is the third company to have operated Manchester Confidential in the past three years to have entered into formal insolvency proceedings, owing over £500,000 to the tax man in the process. Interestingly, Mark 'Gordo' Garner, linked closely to all three failed companies, amongst many others before that, still owns Manchester Confidential, which somehow continues to operate under its latest guise after making key staff cut backs. ~ 4 Apr
Fantastic Indian restaurant Zouk Tea Bar & Grill played host to an unlikely pairing as controversial Manchester City footballer Mario Balotelli treated Canadian rap star Drake to a slap up meal ahead of his Arena gig. To coin the title of Drake's album, it was Zouk's Manchester United supporting owners who were "thanking him later" as Balotelli was blamed by his manager for effectively handing the title to the Reds after fighting with his own players in the draw to Sunderland and being sent off in the defeat to Arsenal. He also crashed his Bentley in the same week. Drake later ordered a takeout from Zouk to be delivered to his hotel. ~ 2 Apr
As if to maybe prove that not everything Living Ventures turns to gold, Spinningfields deli style café Peppermint Bay has closed down barely four months since opening. With the company's other units, The Alchemist, Australasia and The Oast House performing well above expectations next door and news of a neighbouring Michelin- standard members only restaurant on the way, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Knutsford based restaurateurs return with a new concept for the unit. Based above Australasia, Peppermint Bay offered snacks, salads, sushi and fresh meals. ~ 1 Apr
The world's largest T.G.I. Friday is to open in the historic Royal Exchange building this June. The American chain restaurant will be set over two floors and employ over 140 staff. ~ 25th Apr 2012
Dubai's Jumeirah Restaurants are set to bring their Noodle House concept to Manchester, amongst 26 other UK openings with the first opening later this year. ~ 25th Apr 2012
Manchester's Individual Restaurant Company have announced a £4m investment plan with Restaurant, Bar & Grill on John Dalton Street set for a £750,000 revamp and fifth floor roof terrace, whilst Piccolino on Clarence Street will benefit from a £1m expansion into the unit vacated by Ego next door. ~ 17th Apr 2012
Property developer Bo Khan has announced he plans to open five new branches of his Italian restaurant Per Tutti, after the first four months of his Castlefield opening hit all targets. ~ 16th Apr 2012
Mimi's Italian restaurant in Sale plan on opening a new Manchester city centre branch in the premises vacated by Mirage Beauty Salon in the Great Northern Warehouse on Deansgate. ~ 16th Apr 2012
The owners of Sam's Chop House and Mr Thomas's Chop House have unveiled £3.5m plans to open The Albert Square Chop House, a new restaurant and bouteque hotel next to the Town Hall in the beautiful Grade II listed Memorial Hall, a five storey building previously occupied by the Square Albert pub. ~ 2nd Apr 2012
