Below you'll find all the news of what happened in Manchester restaurants in December 2017.

Click here for all the latest news.

The Harvey Nichols Winter Dining menu is back for 2018, keeping diners warm during the cold months with three regionally sourced courses and a cocktail for just £22. It will be available at Second Floor Brasserie from 3rd January until Friday 28 February 2018. [more info]

Randall & Aubin have introduced an exclusive Oyster Club which rewards regular oyster shuckers. Collect a stamp for every six oysters you order, and once you've reached eight stamps, you will receive a complimentary half dozen oysters. [more info]

Tokyo Ramen is set to open on Church Street in the Northern Quarter, in Spring 2018, specialising in chicken broth based Tsukemen (where the noodles are served separate). Whilst ramen restaurants are nothing new (Wagamama and Tampopo have been around for years), specialist Japanese ramen bars are becoming extremely fashionable across Europe's capitals. We advise you to visit the brilliant Shoryu Ramen at Piccadilly Gardens to see what all the fuss is about.

Double Michelin Star celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has announced his Pub in the Park festival will return to Knutsford on the 7th - 9th September 2018.  The fun weekend will showcase live music, great food and drink, as well as demos from top chefs. 

Manchester's Kamani family, who co-own Rosso restaurant with United legend Rio Ferdinand, alongside fashion labels Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Nasty Gal and many of the buildings occupied by bars in the Northern Quarter, have donated a generous £500,000 to Key 103's Mission Christmas campaign, which provides for local families during the festive period. 

With growing numbers of people living in relative poverty, especially in Manchester, the donation, as well as the wider fundraising, will be a massive boost to a lot of families this Christmas. [more info]

Not everyone agrees on what their perfect Christmas dinner is, so GBK Spinningfields are giving you the choice between beef, chicken or venison for their special burger the ‘O Christmas Three’. Topped with a hash brown, smoked Applewood cheese, cabbage and bacon, and tarragon mayo. They have also thrown in a devil on horseback, and GBK Christmas gravy.

Christmas just isn't Christmas without Eggnog and their Brandy Eggnog milkshake takes Eggnog to a whole new level. With Vanilla ice cream, Warninks Advocaat, cinnamon and whipped cream. For £5, you can also enjoy a Deer & Beer (mini bottle of Jägermeister with a San Miguel). [more info]

The former Red Hot World Buffet site on Deansgate is to be reopened as Cosmo World Kitchen, on December 19th.  Offering dishes from around the globe, albeit with an emphasis on Oriental cuisines, with live cooking stations featuring a Teppanyaki kitchen. 

Local independent restaurateur Steve Pilling, of Damson and Dockyard fame, has been given the nod to spearhead the hospitality end of things at the Produce Hall in Stockport. In a project with a current budget of around £6.5 million, it is believed that the venue will be transformed into a series of pop-up Food Hall vendors. 

Don Giovanni has got together with Mangrove this Christmas to create a very special cocktail list.

Building on their reputation for producing some of the best Amaro cocktails in the city, the Oxford Street Italian restaurant's festive concoctions including "A Berry Merry Christmas", (a Christmas twist on the classic Bramble), "Naughty or Spice", (a take on the elegant French 75), "Jingle Juice", (inspired by the herbed flavours of Don Giovanni's special Christmas gravies) and "The Tiramisu" (for those who fancy taking their dessert in a coupette). [more info]

You can now enjoy unlimited Prosecco at Chez Mal with their gigantic Sunday lunch, for just £35. Enjoy unrestricted visits to the Chef’s Table for hors d'oeurves, followed by a signature soup, and then a choice of brunch dishes, mains or Sunday roasts [more info]

King Street Townhouse, part of the Eclectic Hotel Collection, have renovated their award-winning Townhouse Tavern restaurant. A warm and inviting retreat, with soft lighting, plush booths and lavish décor, designed by co-founder and interior designer Sally O’Loughlin, there's also a new Cheese & Wine Cellar.

An all-day dining destination, the menu remains the same with popular Afternoon Teas and favourites like Black Pudding Hash Browns and Grilled Jerk Chicken Burger. [more info]

Why not take a break from the turkey, the washing up and the endless planning and preparations this Christmas Day and head to Zouk for a special festive banquet, an indulgent 6-course delight that beats slaving over a hot stove any day!

There’s traditional Samosa Chaat, luxurious Butter Chicken, a roasted leg of Lamb fit for a Maharajah and fabulous Chicken Berry Biryani, all for £30 per person, plus of course Prosecco, popadmons and pakoras aplenty. [more info]

Hard Rock Cafe Manchester have announced their line up for one of the busiest nights of their year. They will be open late on Sunday 4th February especially for "The Big Game" in Minneapolis, Minnesota... apparently they're not allowed to use it's better known "super" name for American Football legal trademark reasons.

As well as a special game menu, available for one night only, big-screen TVs will project the game around the bar. There’ll also be plenty of American Football themed entertainment on the night, including half time DJs, cheerleaders, a Kiss Cam and more. [more info]

Christmas parties might mean Christmas hangovers however Pho are offering to help you combat the effects of the night before with their Pho to Go takeaway menu, packed full of all the hangover busting goodness.

To help make your little'uns happy while you slurp down your ramen, Shoryu Ramen have created a brand new kids menu.

For just £6.90, the three course Kids Menu offers a choice of three mains with a starter of Edamame and dessert of Matcha soft serve. [more info]

How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza? Deep and crisp and even. Well you’re in luck Wenceslas, as the Crazy Pedro’s December special, "Mary, Joseph & Baby Cheese’s" is the one for you. This year, the standard Christmas dinner just won’t do. Christmas on a pizza however?

The Mary, Joseph and Baby Cheese’s is a festive taste sensation with delicious helpings of all your Christmas favourites. Bite into turkey, pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, honey roasted parsnips and cranberry sauce and it will literally have you rocking around the Christmas tree. [more info]

It might be Christmas Party season and the restaurants might be packed to the rafters, however there's still some new offers to be found in Manchester:

New Christmas offers added to the site today include...

As announced in October, celebrity chef Nigel Haworth has now stepped down from his role as chef-patron in favour of a role as an ambassador to his Northcote restaurant in Langho, the nearest Michelin Star restaurant to Manchester.

Having spent 33 years in the Lancashire kitchen, he will retain his shareholding in the luxury manor and its sister business Ribble Valley Inns, but will resign as a director to spend more time with his unwell wife.

He will still be contracted to work 50 days a year for the 4 AA Rosette property and will continue to run the Obsession gastronomic festival. Lisa Goodwin-Allen will continue in her role as executive head chef.

Come in from out of the cold and escape the Christmas shopping hustle and bustle by relaxing in the warmth of Opus One at the Radisson Edwardian, where you can listen to the angelic sounds of carol singers over a Festive Afternoon Tea (12-14 Dec).

Choose from Traditional or Gentleman’s Afternoon Teas, each infused with Christmas flavours for the festive season. [more info]

• Also see Christmas choir lunch at Pen & Pencil (17 Dec)

The perfect Christmas gift for cooks in your household, Zouk have released the dates of their new cookery classes for 2018. The classes, which usually sell out fast, are designed for novices and more experienced cooks. Learn how to use a fusion of traditional and contemporary cooking techniques at the multi-award winning Indian restaurant.

Classes for 2018 include Vegetarian, Seafood, Punjabi, Tikka and BBQ Masterclasses, British Indian Favourites, Days of the Raj and Zouk Signature Dishes. [more info]

New Christmas offers added to the site today include...

This winter, you can enjoy your favourite Don Giovanni dishes at Per Tutti as they have taken over the Castlefield kitchen with a special festive pop-up that will be running through to the end of January.

As well as the classic a la carte favourites from their Oxford Street restaurant, you can also enjoy 15" wood-fired Neapolitan sourdough pizzas (with a beer for £10), Head Chef's Weekly Specials, a two course lunch for £12, or a three course Christmas party feast for just £29.95. [more info]

You can now enjoy unlimited Prosecco at Chez Mal with their gigantic Sunday lunch, for just £35. Enjoy unrestricted visits to the Chef’s Table for hors d'oeurves, followed by a signature soup, and then a choice of brunch dishes, mains or Sunday roasts [more info]

The brand new Kashmir 1887 at Old Trafford are offering 30% Off food and drinks until the end of February 2018, or enjoy a curry with rice or naan and a pint for only £12.95 until the end of March, including match days. [more info]

Manchester House, the elegant and contemporary fine dining destination in the heart of Spinningfields, has launched a new afternoon tea menu, just in time for the festive season.

Developed by new Head Chef, Nathaniel Tofan, it will be served in The Lounge on the 12th floor, and can be paired with a range of loose leaf teas, Champagne or a matching cocktail flight, which consists of bespoke creations such as Elderflower Fizz, Cherry Sour, Raspberries & Cream and Salted Caramel. [more info]

You can now enjoy unlimited Prosecco at Chez Mal with their gigantic Sunday lunch, for just £35. Enjoy unrestricted visits to the Chef’s Table for hors d'oeurves, followed by a signature soup, and then a choice of brunch dishes, mains or Sunday roasts [more info]

Celebrity owners of Menagerie, Seema Malhotra and Stacey Forsey, have joined forces with New Bailey and premium vodka brand Cîroc, to open their festive bar – Cîroc Around the Christmas Tree.

• Boxing Day Brunch at Menagerie

Didsbury Gin and Gusto Didsbury paired up to present an evening of gin tasters, gin cocktails and deli boards on Monday 27th November 2017.

King Street Townhouse has transformed its listed cellar space, with its unique vaulted brick ceiling, into ‘The Cellars’; a beautiful brand new and exclusive wine cellar, private dining space and luxurious screening room.

In December, the intimate wine cellar will host three Cheese and Wine Tasting events, during which you will be served a glass of Montaudon Champagne, followed by five different cheeses, together with a selection of chutneys, figs, celery, grapes, crackers and freshly baked breads, alongside paired wines. [more info]

All Star Lanes are offering Restaurants Of Manchester readers a free bottle of Prosecco when you book your Christmas meal with them before November 30th, and dine before the 30th December 2017.

As well as the free bottle of bubbly, for £32, you can enjoy a game of bowling, half a bottle of wine and a 2 or 3 course Christmas feast, which includes a turkey, cranberry & chestnut patty Christmas Dinner Burger. Don't miss their 90s style New Year's Eve party too. [more info]

Following the appointment of his long term prodigy, Nathaniel Tofan, as Head Chef at Manchester House, Living Ventures have announced that celebrity chef Aiden Byrne will be leaving the business in January 2018. He has been confirmed as Head Chef at the soon to be named rooftop restaurant at No.1 Spinningfields, operated by London's D&D Restaurants.

Jeremy Roberts, CEO of Living Ventures, commented, “We’re sorry to see Aiden leaving us and I want to take this opportunity to thank him publicly for his enormous contribution in establishing Manchester House on the culinary landscape of the city. We wish him every success for the future. Living Ventures have a history of developing young talented people within the company and we’re excited to see Nat achieve his potential."

Wood have teamed up with the lovely gents at Alderman’s Didsbury Gin for a special festive cinematic banquet featuring the beloved Christmas film Elf on the 12th December 2017.

With a glass of fizz in hand, the night will start with cinema style canapés and flavoured Didsbury Gin & Tonics to accompany the first part of the film in the restaurant’s private screening room. In the intermission guests will be served a dish from the kitchen of Simon Wood - MasterChef Champion 2015 - along with more Didsbury Gin G&Ts. After the movie, coffee and petit fours complete the evening. [more info]