How To Celebrate Anthony Bourdain Day In Manchester: Part One

“Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself”

– Anthony Bourdain

Separation, both temporary and tragically permanent, has brought communities closer together than ever over the last 16 months. Enduring a year without a family Sunday lunch or a pissed up BBQ with your mates in favour of staring at the same four walls, while you and your unwashed and uncut hair await your fifth Deliveroo of the week, has been a grotesque existence to suffer through. The vigour with which the general public soared back into restaurants and pubs over the last two months was proof, if ever it were needed, that we are a society that, at it’s absolute core, yearn for the simplistic; A pint, a plate of food and people to share it all with.

It is this exact spirit which the late, great Anthony Bourdain championed for the last two decades before his untimely death, in 2018.

The chef turned world travelling documentarian and iconic adventurer covered all manner of subjects across various ends of various spectrums during his multiple circumnavigations of the globe (much of which is meticulously documented in Drew Magary’s breathtakingly good biography in GQ a few month’s after his passing), whether they be culinary, political, socio economic or just stupid, half cut bar debates. The one constant that remained, however, was food and drink as the ultimate unifier. It didn’t need to be the best quality produce, it just needed to be enjoyed in an atmosphere of tolerance and trust – The happy places where we can most comfortably feel like ourselves, whether it’s nursing a solo pint on a slow afternoon or Lady and The Tramping a ramen noodle with a best mate or partner after one too many between-course cocktails.

This Friday (25th June) will mark the third annual ‘Bourdain Day’, on what would have been the great man’s 65th birthday (almost unthinkable to fathom he was only three years shy of pensioner age when he passed, isn’t it?). The day was christened by two of his closest friends, chefs Eric Ripert (who had accompanied Bourdain on his final trip, to Strasbourg, in June 2018) and José Andrés, who told Esquire in 2019 that, “I hope that this is a place that many people will go, will enjoy life, will have a drink. They will cook, they will go to a food truck. They will go to [a] picnic. They will go to [a] street vendor. A hot dog, a fancy restaurant, whatever. And they will toast Tony and wish, ‘Happy Bourdain Day.’”

“I suffered so much grief after what happened that I only hope people will turn all that grief into happiness of life, and remembering how Tony made the world a smaller place by bringing us all together.”

– José Andrés

Turning grief into happiness is precisely what we, as a society, have been attempting to accomplish for the last few months, once the doors to hospitality were flung back open, albeit still with varying degrees of restrictions and dangers in place.

Many of us will have suffered the heartbreak of grieving for a loved one, while countless have mourned job losses, the disappearance of their favourite establishments, relationships, you name it, we’ve all grieved in one way or another since last March and this Friday, in memory of a man who so often made us forget our anxieties by allowing us to learn of vibrant, far flung cultures and cuisines, we can continue that process in the most positive, beautiful way possible. By not only toasting Uncle Tony and the invaluable life lessons he taught us, but by indulging in the pastime he became so renowned for – breaking bread across countless tables around a city, from back alley noodle shops to Michelin Star manors and, of course, to Waffle Houses.

So, this philosophy surrounding Bourdain Day had us wondering how we would spend the most idyllic 24 hours working our way round Manchester, from breakfast to ‘bab. As we mulled over our choices, we decided that we could do with a little inspiration from a smorgasbord of the city’s residents, each extremely well known and respected within their fields and, perhaps most importantly, all armed with impressive appetites.

Over the next couple of days, we will bring you the ideal Bourdain Day of half a dozen pretty fearless eaters and drinkers, all of whom are indebted to Bourdain’s own fearlessness, honesty and adventure in one way or another. Not only will this gastronomic sextet reveal where they would send their custom on their day, but they will also share what the former Les Halles hellraiser meant to them personally and where they would have taken him would they have had the opportunity.

So, pre-amble out of the way, here’s onto the opening tag team…

Up first we have the Philippines’ finest, Zosima Fulwell, better known to anyone with even the scantest knowledge of street food in Manchester as Mama Z. You may very well have a bottle of her banana ketchup or Hot Zos in your cupboard right now (if not, we heartily recommend you rectify this immediately and allow your life to be completely and utterly changed) and will have very likely sampled her ludicrously delicious Filipino offerings at any number of pop up events over the last four years, including Hatch on Oxford Road, Grub, Station Hop in Levenshulme and even our very own EATMCR Takeover at The Refuge recently, where she paired up with Pippy Eats to sling some dangerously good noodle dishes.

Image: cookingwithmamaz.com

Being half Filipino, half English and growing up in the Middle East, Zosima is a ‘third culture kid’ who shared her heritage and culture with friends from various different countries during her formative years. It is this pan-cultural identity and knowledge that makes Mama Z such an intriguing and exciting personality for an event such as Bourdain Day.

On the other side of today’s opening round is Luke Cowdrey aka Luke Unabomber – one half of DJ duo The Unabombers, Homoelectric & Homobloc promoter, restauranteur, raconteur and kebab connoisseur. Yes, he’s also off the funny videos on instagram, early Sheffield, Brammall Lane, Sean Bean, what’s wrong with that? Move it on…

Luke, who owns and operates many of the city’s most ambitious and exciting eateries such as The Refuge, Volta, Electrick and the little speakeasy just off Piccadilly called Escape To Freight Island, previously joined us for an immersive kebab tour-cum-history lesson round Rusholme, last year and it was with this experience in mind, on top of his decades of travelling the world, relentlessly tackling all manners of cuisine, that led us back to him. Once again, he failed to disappoint.

So where are our opening act starting their respective days?

Breakfast, Brunch and, erm, Elevenses? (Twelveses as well?)

“My ideal Bourdain Day would definitely have to start with a walk into town,” begins Zosima, “you know, to work up the appetite, but I’d grab some things to eat on the way.”

I would walk down Upperbrook street and hit Venus for a cheeky Lamb Pide and a Turkish coffee outside.

– Zosima ‘Mama Z’ Fulwell

Luke meanwhile, is opting for a meal often hilariously chastised by Bourdain in Kitchen Confidential. Brunch.

“I would definitely go to Trove, I love their brunch, it feels really gentle, really beautifully presented, great ingredients, amazing coffee. Their coffee, for me, is in the top three in the city. I love both the Levenshulme one and the one in Ancoats. The bread’s great, obviously. They’re not trying to be too clever but it’s very modernist. I would always take someone there for a new school kind of brunch and a great neighbourhood atmosphere. The merguez sausage is phenomenal there. I’d also head to Another Heart To Feed. They’ve produced something quite momentous there and the lad from Northern Ireland who does their coffee, I forget his name now, but he’s one of the best baristas in the city.

“Anthony Bourdain would love what they’ve done, he’d recognise that it’s not just style over substance. Both have developed their menus so well, they’ve done it very slowly.”

The vegan breakfast from Trove – A work of art. Image: Trove/instagram

As with all day long sessions, sometimes more than one breakfast is an absolute necessity, as Luke attests with a quite bold strategy of not only an elevenses (not heard of that course since the ’90s tbh) AND a pre-lunch twelveses. Then again, if it is the most important meal of the day, you might as well have it three times just to be sure.

“For elevenses, it would definitely have to be North Tea Power. I think they’re the greatest when it comes to coffee in the city. Everything they do is so subtle and wholesome without any shouting or showing off. Their cheese toastie is a thing of utter genius, so I’d have that, one of their freshly squeezed orange juices and a macchiato. That for me is the stuff of the Gods.

– Luke Unabomber

“Then it’s onto Federal’s Just Natas in the Arndale. They’re better than anything I’ve had in Lisbon or Porto. Taking a box of them for a sit in the Northern Quarter is a wonderful thing.

Long Lunches and The Beginning of Bevs

Tastebuds and stomachs sufficiently awoken, lunch is next on the agenda as well as, quite importantly, those first thirst quenching bevs.

“Further up the road from Venus is Seoul Kimchi” continues Zosima on her journey into town, “another spot I really love and such a hidden gem. If I was with a pal I’d share a main, probably a Bibimbap or Tofu Kimchi stew with a side of Beef and Kimchi dumplings.

A hidden gem. Image: @dillpickle85/instagram

“You are pretty much halfway to town so I would walk that food off and get a drink in town, probably in Ancoats square in Jane Eyre on a sunny day. If I got a bit peckish I would definitely get a portion of the ham croquettes because they are one of my favourite things and a great little bite.

For Luke, meanwhile, he’s getting his early afternoon serviced just off Cheetham Hill Road.

“For lunch, there’s a few places but one that really stands out for me, and I’ve been there so many times the last couple of weeks, is That’s Thai, on Cheetham Hill Road. It’s owned by a couple and it’s attached to an MOT garage, so the wife runs the cafe and the husband runs the garage. I told an MEN reporter about it a few years ago and have regretted it ever since.

“It’s such an off piste, back alley, hidden gem sort of place but it’s serving the best bowls of Thai food in Manchester.

– Luke Unabomber

Their Pad Thai is the best I’ve ever had, bar none. But all the other dishes they’re serving there are authentic bowls that you just aren’t getting anywhere else in the city. Their broth is magical. The flavour and the depth is on another level.

“When you get there, quite often, there’s a fair few rum lads knocking about, but they all behave because the woman who owns the place is very matriarchal, so they don’t muck about. If he was still alive today, I’d have loved to have been able to take Anthony Bourdain there, it’s definitely his sort of place. You go there and get away from everything, it’s no nonsense, authentic Thai street food or peasant food or whatever you want to call it. I just love it.

“Similarly, if I’m having a bowl of noodles, I might also go to Mi & Pho, which is one of my absolute favourite places. You know they’re doing something right when people are flocking to Northenden for Vietnamese food. Their pho is utter magic and all the flavours and ingredients they use are really on point.”

A man in his element. Very nice, move it on. Image: Luke Unabomber/instagram

However, as we have explored before, Luke’s appetites also lie in the Middle East when it comes to his lunchtime habits.

“At Kurdistan Cafe, they do everything really well, but what you want are the proper Kurdish lamb kebabs, done over the wood grill, which gives them this gnarly crispness on the outside, but somehow keeps them tender in the middle. Mix them with the flatbreads from their tandoor and you’ve got something very special. What I also love there is the soup they bring you before the kebab, which is a traditional dish made with turmeric I think and a few other herbs and spices. But yeah, the go to are the long lamb kebabs done over the wood grill. Then they serve that with pickles, parsley, onions, tomatoes and top it off with sumac, which gives it that acidity to cut through. It’s all so fresh and the combination of flavours is amazing.

“It’s a place you walk into and, much like That’s Thai, you feel like you’re walking into someone’s home and again, that makes it somewhere that I’m sure Anthony Bourdain would have loved.

“Just down the road from there, at Al Jazeera, I go for the Qabili Palau, which is a traditional Afghani lamb dish cooked over rice with this amazing broth. They do it better than anyone there and it’s just a great meal to share with someone which, again, I know Bourdain would have loved.”

“If I’m getting a shawarma, I’m going to Al Zain. I would say to get there between 1-3pm, because they will sell out. That’s probably the perfect time to go and get the lamb, don’t get the chicken, go for the lamb shawarma with all the salads, pickles, chilli sauce and yoghurt, which they make in house.

– Luke Unabomber
The Rusholme Revolution on full display

With Zosima settled at Jane Eyre with a plate of stomach lining croquettes, Luke continues with his pint based plans.

“Drink heavily with locals, whenever possible.”

– Anthony Bourdain

“I’d start at The Levenshulme, which is in Levenshulme, as you might have guessed. It used to be a proper old school Irish pub back in the day and it was taken over by two gay lads, I think about two years ago now. They’ve decorated the front of the pub in a giant LGBTQ rainbow and I just loved the balls it took to do that in an area which has never had a gay pub or club. I go in because it has this amazing mix of people and characters, which is how a pub should be and for that reason it would go down as one of my favourite places, even though I’ve only just started going there. Again, the type of place Anthony Bourdain would love, the realness of it, it’s no bullshit. The two lads that run it, they don’t fuck about, they’re really friendly, really decent. But if you fuck about with them they’re gonna sling you out.

“Across the street you’ve got some of the more new school places in Levenshulme, which is changing so much and I think Bourdain would have loved it there. It’s become arguably the most exciting area in Manchester. If I was only to go to one area for this day it would be Levenshulme. It’s almost got that early Northern Quarter feel to it. It’s very mixed racially, there’s not a lot of money there but with that comes a complete authenticity and warmth and community. Nordie there is probably my favourite craft ale bar in the city. It’s more than that though, they do natural wines and amazing food and I just love their attitude there.

Uncle Tony going local in Glasgow. Image: CNN

“I’ve then got to go to Northenden Untapped, which has the best selection of Pomona I’ve ever seen anywhere, which is crafted to such a high level of finesse it’s almost like drinking wine. The owners of Northern Tap are so rooted in the area, they’re Mancunian born and bred, Lee and Debs. It’s a perfect example of a bar done right. They also serve Wrexham Lager, which is really weird, but Wrexham Lager is amazing and I love the fact that it sits next to some of the most forward thinking beers around and natural wines.”

But while a selection of the more modernist, craft bars are high on Luke’s agenda, one particular pint reigns supreme, which is, of course, the black stuff.

“The best pint of Guinness in Manchester, which I love, despite the recent fucking need to be ‘Oo look at Guinness, bit obvious, bit commercial’ fuck all that, I love Guinness and the best pint of it is in Fiddler’s Green in Levenshulme. It’s a rough old gaff occasionally but everyone behaves themselves and the woman who runs it does so with an iron bar. You won’t get a better pint of Guinness in the city.

“Likewise with the Jolly Angler, which is tragically shutting down, if you had to take Bourdain to one place for a lock-in, it’d be there. I’m not knocking them but they had less product than Kwik Save in early Russia. There was about three fucking drinks on the back bar but they did the best Guinness and the guy and his mum who ran it were the nicest fucking people. It was a community pub in the most perfect way.

Long Live The King. Image: Jolly Angler/instagram

Approaching the evening, cheeks warmed and eyes beginning to lilt ever so slightly under the influence of a few afternoon liveners, it’s onto the next course…

Dinner/Tea, Whatever You Want to Call It, We’re All Mates Here…

“Dinner thoughts will definitely be discussed during drinks in the afternoon and could be in many places. A big bowl of Scoglio at Sugo or even sharing some bits at Bundobust is up there”

Zosima ‘Mama Z’ Fulwell

“We could actually end up hitting Oneplus on Oxford Road depending on my mood. We are so lucky to have such fantastic eateries in the city and the list is endless. If anyone fancies doing this day with me, let me know.”

We may just have to take Zosima up on her offer and hit up every single on of Sugo, Bundobust and OnePlus, just to be on the safe side.

Mama Z would also likely have a fellow diner in Luke at OnePlus, who heralds the three storied Chinese dining powerhouse as one of the best spots in the city.

“Noodles wise, my favourite place has to be the basement of OnePlus. Honestly the lunchtime food they’re doing in there is the best in the city. They have a limited menu with about eight dishes, it’s a big Chinese community, particularly students, who eat there. I love it. They all think I’m fucking mad. It’s always delivered perfectly.

“My partner’s half Chinese, her mum’s from Kowloon, so I’ve grown an absolute love for Cantonese food. The roast meats; duck, roast pork, char sui, chicken, rice and cabbage have become an absolute staple for me. I crave it and when I do I go to Happy Seasons. It’s iconic with the ducks hanging in the window and I always go there for the roast meats.

As with Luke’s other courses today, he’s not stopping at just one haunt, however.

“I can’t do this day without a curry, so when it comes to Rice and Three, the holy grail is Yadgars. They have specialist curries throughout the week like a fish curry on Tuesday and it’s been owned by the same family forever. I’ve been going there for over 30 years and they still do it and it’s fabulous. However, they do have competition from Real Taste, over in Cheetham Hill. Honestly, they do the best curries in Manchester, it’s rice and three and the customers in there are nearly all from the Asian community. It’s proper food, almost like rice and three used to be in Manchester back in the ’70s around the rag trade. The vegetarian dishes there are a thing of absolute fucking beauty.

Creators of the best curries and instagram feed in Manchester

“If I’m not doing rice and three, though, I’m going to Chappati Corner on Derby Street for the lamb nihari, which is the Pakistani equivalent of a Sunday roast. They slow cook a lamb shank in this amazing sauce, I’m not sure what’s in it exactly, but the flavour is incredible. Then you eat it with a couple of chapatis or, if you’re me, about five.”

“Moving away from street food though, I think it’s important in life to have that aspirational magical meal and I think Mana is it. It’s arguably the best place in the entire city and is probably on a level pegging with the best in the country.  The Creameries as a neighbourhood spot is fantastic too. The food is produced with a mind blowing level of finesse. Baraxturi is a thing of beauty. There is no other place in the north that matches the raw passion, love and energy they goes into their food . Likewise Erst, who are outrageous. They’re such a dynamic young team there and the flatbreads they make in particular are insanely good.”

But where to take the man himself were he still here today to indulge and immerse himself in our city?

Continuing the trend of Levenshulme love, Zosima keeps it very local for her meal with Bourdain.

“In true Zoss fashion and also being incredibly proud to live in Levenshulme, I would have to take him to Levenshulme Bakery. I would suggest he ate a shawarma on a Samoun as the bread is just so fluffy and delicious, and maybe getting a Fatayer on the side.

“It’s so cheap but just 11/10 banging and somewhere I know Anthony Bourdain would fuck with.”

– Zosima ‘Mama Z’ Fulwell

Luke, meanwhile, has already touched on a few establishments where he would happily sink a few suds and slurp broth with the great man, but one place in particular stands out.

“When the modern flow of the city all gets too much, and ‘Manctopia’ engulfs you, if you wanna see where the reaI life is, just walk off Oxford Road towards Hulme, where I used to live for many years and go to Kim By The Sea. It’s one of these outliers of life that have unified all the old clans in Hulme and a lot of people still drink there. It’s the maddest crowd, full of characters who have done things you couldn’t even begin to imagine, sat there having a pint. It’s one of my favourite places to realign, recenter and I’ll guarantee you, it’s somewhere Bourdain would have loved the realness of.

The aforementioned lessons we learned from Bourdain’s work, whether it be on paper or screen, often centred around making the world seem both bigger and smaller at the same time, expanding people’s horizons and worldview while bringing them closer to us, the viewers. But it wasn’t just the uninitiated among us who were so touched by his efforts. The communities and cultures he reached out to also appreciated the genuine honesty and openness of a world weary traveller, who yearned to better himself through new experiences. Zosima, in particular, explains how Bourdain’s work in the Philippines spoke to her on an emotional and personal level.

“Anthony Bourdain broke narratives especially when he visited the Philippines. He accepted the eclectic mix and unknown dishes of Filipino cuisine, tucking into a Jollibee (the number 1 Filipino fast food chain) and said that in that moment he broke his hatred of fast food. He particularly enjoyed eating another Filipino dish called Sisig on a roadside Carinderia (canteen) and loving it. He saw the Philippines and Filipino people as I do which means a lot, particularly when he highlighted how hard working Filipino OFW workers are in Parts Unknown. ‘Filipinos are, for reasons I have yet to figure out, probably the most giving of all people on the planet’.  

“I will always hold a special place in my heart for Anthony. Thank you for recognising and loving The Philippines through our food, our struggles, our people and our culture.”

– Zosima ‘Mama Z’ Fulwell

And what of the lessons Zosima and Luke learned from the New Jersey native? What was Bourdain’s lasting legacy on their lives?

“What I learned from Anthony Bourdain was that there was a complete honesty with his work,” begins Luke, “In a world of self proclamation and marketing and fucking campaigns and influencers, he came out as someone with no agenda. He was fragile, vulnerable, passionate, warm and an amazing character. It’s interesting that a lot of young men warm to him and I think it’s a sense of realness, because there was no bullshit or marketing or any of that with him. He was empathetic and he wanted people to win. He loved little places like shitty little backstreet cafes. 

“He recalibrated the world to getting back to sitting down with a big fucking bowl of chicken stew like coq au vin or whatever and just getting shit spilled on your shirt and eating like an animal and enjoying it. People overcomplicate food and he took that back.

“I think if he could walk round Manchester now he’d absolutely love it. The wave of immigration has brought a real viagra to the food scene here and the balance is perfect.”

His final ever episode. Lower East Side, NYC. Image: Anthony Bourdain/instagram

For Zosima, the emotional attachment to Bourdain’s work comes from a personal level that perfectly encapsulates how much his work transcended everything that had come before it.

“I learned from Anthony the universal language of good food, accepting that most food comes from struggle and finding the beauty of that in the most interesting places. He was open and just interested to share the amazing things happening across the globe, giving everyone access to that food culture that perhaps some of us can’t get. He chose to recognise people as people, accepting their history and learning about their culture. He was never a tourist but a guest in many peoples homes and that’s what made Anthony amazing. He chose to be different and that is why he is so missed.”

A-fucking-men.

Part two will drop tomorrow. In the meantime, go follow Zosima and Luke and love their various works and talents. Our city is a much better place for the pair of them being here.

The Picture Perfect Manchester Pubs You Need To Be Drinking Inside

During the peak of his hell raising prowess, the late Peter O’Toole once found himself staggering into a hole in the wall in a small village just outside Dublin with fellow oft-inebriated actor Peter Finch. The pair, entering the final furlong of yet another lost weekend of debauchery, were ultimately refused service after seeing off a few 4am rounds. Rather than go quietly into that good night, however, they simply bought the pub.

While O’Toole and Finch would return the following day to receive their uncashed cheques back from the pub landlord (who would go onto become a friend for life to the point O’Toole and Finch attended his funeral, albeit after initially turning up at the wrong one) what their lash-fuelled frivolity exemplified is how fucking wondrous a great pub truly is.

Watching the rain pelt the concrete and cobbles from within the safety of a Guinness soaked embrace, collapsed into a well worn corner seat while a jukebox whirs in the background is an experience so cathartic, so uproariously joyful, that it should be available for prescription on the NHS. Day turns to night in the sup of a pint (or six) and you couldn’t care less about where the afternoon disappeared to, because within the four walls of any proper Mancunian watering hole, all potential bad vibes are barred, well away from the two flatly opened packets of salt and vinegar McCoys or Seabrooks that are serving as an impromptu late lunch. Traffic, tram delays, bills, your arsehole boss peppering you with five pm Friday emails, it can all wait. Order another bev and talk shit about who should start up front tomorrow afternoon or about what the most accurate ranking of all the Arctic Monkeys albums is.

“Alexa, play the theme tune to ‘Early Doors’

Fortunately, in Manchester, we’re blessed with more than a few establishments in which to immerse ourselves in this sort of fare.

Given how cutthroat pub ownership is at the best of times, let alone in the midst of what we’ve had to endure over the past 16 months, it’s imperative that these historical sites are not allowed to stumble, punch drunk into a post-lockdown abyss, timelessly resilient though they may have proved to be over the years. They are, after all, the fabric of the city, for more than a century providing shelter from the storm, powered by debates, piss takes and knees ups from generation to generation.

So while this weekend’s weather may call for beer gardens, terraces, patios and the like (several of which we can recommend here), there are those establishments which are best enjoyed indoors, among the wood panelling, knackered leather seats, magic eye patterned carpets and scampi fries. Here are just a few to send your business to…

Peveril of the Peak

You will, by now, be more than familiar with the two tone green tiled exterior of the Eric Cantona approved ‘Pev’, sitting as it does on it’s own island of opportunity at the cross section of Bridgewater Street and Chepstow Street. Said opportunity being the chance to enjoy a perfectly poured pint inside one of Manchester’s most historic, beloved boozers.

A work of art

Named after Sir Walter Scott’s 1823 novel of the same name, ‘The Pev’ is home to the UK’s oldest landlady, 91-year-old Nancy Swanick, who has been keeping patrons expertly watered for 50 years now. The County Donegal native has long been a part of the furniture and is replete with stories of the countless happenings that have occurred under her half a century watch. And it is this sort of history that makes The Pev such an irresistible place.

You feel at home the second you step through the intricately tiled doorway, soaking in over a century of memories (which include a former life as a Victorian brothel), from the decades old framed photographs loosely hanging off the similarly aged, textured wallpaper to the mahogany and stained glass artistry of the bar. A crimson, patterned carpet, paired with seats and curtains of the same colour gives the impression you could almost be sat having a pint in your gran’s front room. In a good way. In the best way, in fact. To regenerate or refurb such a monument of Mancunian pride would be a crime against humanity. God bless the Pev. Here’s to another 100 years. At least.

The Briton’s Protection

Just over the road from The Pev, it’s slate roof glowing under the lights of the much more modern Manchester skyline behind it, you’ll find the equally historic and eye catching Briton’s Protection. Sitting on the corner of Great Bridgewater Street and Lower Mosley Street, it is one of the oldest and finest pubs in Manchester, dating back to 1806 and offering a quite terrifying selection of whiskeys (over 330 varieties at last count). It’s the sort of pub that will always stand the test of time – divided into two rooms by the bar on the inside, with a narrow, mahogany and bottle green colour scheme, endlessly varnished furniture and plush, well worn leather – you’ll struggle to find any sort of urge to ever leave.

There are, we have counted on previous visits, six rooms to retire to with your beverage of choice, with moulded ceilings and copper fireplaces straight out of the 1930’s providing a snug sense of belonging, which we have seldom been able to enjoy in a socially distanced age. Like any self respecting, historical boozer, Briton’s Protection is liberally adorned with varying degrees of tile-work, plaques (including their CAMRA recognition for being one of Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs) copper top tables and, perhaps most eye catchingly, a mural of the Peterloo Massacre. The Grade II listed building that houses BP is going nowhere due to it’s protected status and, once your first pint hits your table, you won’t be going anywhere for a while either.

Tom & Sam’s Chophouses

Now, the original plan was to give Sam’s the limelight here, given that Tom’s was showered with attention in our Beer Gardens feature a few weeks ago. However, we received word that, unfortunately, Lowry’s favourite subterranean drinking den is remaining closed for the foreseeable future while structural work is carried out on their building. However, you can still shower Sam’s with your support by ordering from their Home Service, which includes their chef ready meal kits and sommelier hosted virtual wine tastings.

So, to Cross Street and Tom’s chophouse. This Industrial Revolution era Victorian icon, once celebrated by the New York Times as ‘probably Manchester’s most venerable pub’, has been adored by the masses since it flung open it’s doors in 1901, perhaps owing to the fact it’s wood panelled and green Minton tiled interior is so relentlessly welcoming and difficult to leave. Oh and also because, y’know, every pint that is placed under your beaming face is a work of art, as is the fish and mushy pea butty and pretty much everything else on their menu, let’s face it (we will happily throw hands with anyone who challenges us on the fact old Tom serves up the best steak and kidney pudding and corned beef hash in the city).

“Just a pint and five fish and mushy pea butties, please” Image: Tom’s Chop House

Much like Sam’s up the road, Tom’s place could be a scene straight out of a Lowry painting, with, in pre-covid times, silhouettes gleefully heaving and swaying through windows blurred by condensation. Bankers, lawyers and barristers would be shoulder-to-shoulder with retail workers, blokes fresh off any number of nearby construction sites, students and artists. All walks of life seamlessly collaborating on an atmosphere of contentment and camaraderie. And a shared enthusiasm for THOSE fish and mushy pea butties (just going to have to write a 3,000 word feature on them alone at some point, aren’t I?)

The Crown and Kettle

You may have noticed a post about this place became pretty popular the other evening over on our instagram. Yes, one of the team had had a bev or four, but the sentiment was true as fuck. We love the Crown and Kettle because, well, just look at it. Look at what they’ve managed to pull off over lockdown with their al fresco bevving facilities and Mira hook up for soaking up so many gloriously pulled pints.

Yet, as applause worthy as their shift outside may be, it’s the interior of the Crown and Kettle which forever transfixes us. The Ancoats institution feels practically cathedral-esque, with it’s ornate, original roof from the 1800s and windows drawing your eyes skywards, the exposed brick and heavy duty radiators offering the industrial, dirt under your fingernails history that has been so synonymous with the area in bygone eras. A pub has stood on this site since 1734 and, given how well run it’s current incarnation is, as a free house offering 20 independent keg lines, we’re confident there will still be one standing in the same spot in another 287 years time. Probably run by different people, like. But still, there’s clearly something in the water on this Ancoats street corner that keeps enthralling the masses. Long live the Crown and Kettle. Our favourite place to get giddily pissed and share inspirational insta posts.

The Marble Arch

You’ll notice that a recurring theme of this piece is tile-work and grandiose architectural triumphs. And Marble Arch has both in an absolute abundance. Plus about 4,000 ales to choose from. Not exaggerating. That much.

On the Northern Quarter outskirts, situated quietly on Rochdale Road, there is little inclination radiated from the outside that would suggest you are about to encounter an absolute behemoth of a pub upon entry, but somehow here you are, in the early 1920’s, illuminated by gaslight style chandeliers, trodding on a floral mosaic floor, azure blue intermingling with terracotta and bottle green. The windows to your left, practically gargantuan, ascending towards the roof and draped in lush ruby curtains that look like they’d be an absolute bastard to tie back.

The myriad of cask ales is enough to make your head spin, yet the staff friendly and experienced enough to talk you through them without the slightest hint of pretension or exhaustion. To soak up this selection? How about a do-it-yourself cheeseboard, which you curate yourself from the impressive litany of cheeses listed on the blackboard above the bar. You can opt from three for three for £9.95 all the way up to 12 for £22.95, should you be in the mood for a touch of gout to go with your hangover the next day.

While it’s wonderful to see the Northern Quarter’s revolutionised European boulevard teeming with punters, there is something absolutely magical about sloping away from it all and secluding yourself for a few solo pints at Marble Arch. Just you, your bev and some, quite frankly, ludicrous architecture. Oh, and a dozen cheeses.

Manchester’s Past Still Has A Bright Future

Obviously, the half dozen establishments listed above is far from an exhaustive, comprehensive list, but we could also be here for at least another dozen or so entries without even scratching the surface of Manchester’s proud tradition of producing world class ale houses. The Castle Hotel, on Oldham Road, for instance, is more than deserving of it’s own feature. In fact, it’s jukebox alone is worth 5,000 words. But, in the current climate, they are remaining closed until all restrictions are dropped, so live gigs are able to resume at full capacity.

Likewise, The Circus Tavern on Portland Street – Europe’s smallest bar, is an absolute delight. A pint sized treasure chest hidden on one of the city’s busiest roads. The Vine, meanwhile, a stone’s throw from the central library, is one of the unsung back street heroes, a genuine hidden gem tucked out of sight, but certainly not out of mind. A few minutes further south, as you approach Oxford Road, you could do a lot worse than veering right towards The Thirsty Scholar, in the shadow of the breathtaking Kimpton Clocktower, a longstanding favourite among students and pre/post gig crowds. Your pocket won’t take too much of a hit and the playlist will be reliably decent. While continuing down the road will also bring you to the Lass O’Gowrie, all Victorian Threlfall tiling and ‘Stout and Ale’ signage, this Charles Street stalwart is well worth the extra few steps outside of the city centre.

Adjacent to the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, The Angel is still cosily holding it down, offering dog friendly fireplace vibes which, touch wood, will be able to once more come into it’s own when the clocks roll back in October. Meanwhile in Salford, entire nights could be lost bar side at the Eagle Inn, or just a couple of minutes away at the legendary King’s Arms, an establishment now into it’s 215th year and still favoured by Housemartins and Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton, who served as landlord between 2011-2015. Heralded as “Britain’s most bohemian back-street boozer” by The Guardian, this proudly ‘alcopop free zone’ is a vital, vibrant hub for local artists and creatives alike, with an award winning jukebox and City Life’s ‘Pub of The Year’ gong among it’s lengthy list of accolades.

It seems that, wherever you turn in Manchester, you’ll fall into the loving arms of an old faithful if you look hard enough. These institutions have been keeping Manchester in high spirits, even in the direst of hours, for countless generations, and will continue to do so as long as we continue to show them the same affection in return. So swerve Tim Martin’s furlough dodging dives and immerse yourself in the most welcoming hospitality Manchester has to offer.

Where to watch England’s games at Euro 2020 in Manchester

A year later than it was supposed to take place, the Euros will finally be kicking off this Friday 11 June.

There are a few venues screening the games outdoors but the majority of places will be showing them inside.

Wherever you’re watching it, look forward to once again shouting at the telly with a bunch of strangers.

City centre

The Crown and Kettle

Showing the games on both indoor and outdoor screens, the Crown and Kettle is open for walk ins for the Euros matches.

They’ll be serving up craft beers and ‘cool concoctions’ from around Europe, and they’ll also be playing price-drop pints for key fixtures.

The Oast House

Showing live matches on their big outdoor screen is The Oast House. There’s a full programme of matches that will be shown for free but all England games will be ticketed.

Tickets will be £10 in tables of 6 and each come with a free pint. Book here.

Smithfield Social

The Smithfield social will be showing all the Euros matches, at socially distanced tables of six with table service.

Enjoy small plates, cocktails and Sunday Roasts. They recommend booking 90 minutes before kick off for the England matches. Book here.

Bunny Jacksons and Junior Jacksons

Bunny Jacksons and its ‘little cousin’ Junior Jacksons in the Northern Quarter are both screening all matches for the Euros.

Open 5pm to 3:30am every day, there’ll be cold beers, whiskey, £1 sliders. Walk ins only.

Lost Cat

The first floor bar at the Lost Cat will be screening all Euro 2020 games where there’ll be big screens and lots of beer. The Ground Floor will remain a football-free zone.

Walk ins only.

The Bull & Bear / Stock Exchange Hotel

The Vault at Stock Exchange Hotel is taking bookings for Euros fixtures with food and drink packages from Tom Kerridge’s The Bull & Bear restaurant.

Packages start at £49 per person, and include beer and bowl food. There is a minimum of two guests per table and the space which fits a maximum of 54 people can be privately booked on request.

For bookings and information, contact: events@stockexchangehotel.co.uk 

Great Northern Beach Club

The newly opened Great Northern Beach Club has private beach huts available to book for Euro 2020.

The hut bookings include a 42″ TV screen, a welcome drinks package and a personal host.

Book here.

Tib Street Tavern

The self-proclaimed home of NQ sports is another spot to watch the Euros matches this month. They’ve got a large outdoor area where you can watch the matches too.

Walk ins welcome or call 0161 834 1600.

O’Sheas Beer Garden

O’Shea’s Irish Bar has limited availability for bookings of four, five and six for Euros matches. Tickets for each game are £5 per person.

Links to book here.

Cafe Football

Cafe Football in the National Football Museum has packages available to book for the Euro games such as the Euro 96 package which includes a six-pint beer tower.

Book here.

Dive Bar and Grill

Dive Bar and Grill in the Northern Quarter is hosting indoor viewings of all major Euros matches.

Walk ins are welcome or call 0161 826 3080 to book.

Brickhouse Social

Opened in September last year, Brickhouse Social is taking bookings for all games. Enjoy the games with burgers by Icon Burgers, cocktails and more.

DM them on Instagram to book.

The Shack

The Shack is selling tickets for tables of four and six for the England games, which include food and drink. There are also booths with a private screen available to book.

Book here.

Pen and Pencil

Northern Quarter bar Pen and Pencil are taking bookings for the upcoming fixtures.

Reserve a table via their website and quote Euros when booking.

Stage and Radio

Port Street bar Stage and Radio is screening all major games for the Euros.

Walk ins only.

The Hangover Food You Need Now The Pubs Are Open Again

Brilliant, isn’t it? Pubs, bars and restaurants being open again. Beyond words almost. The sight of reunited friends and families engrossed in passionate conversation over half empty glasses, plates and dishes. Not having to race through reunions because of some bullshit 10pm curfew and just being able to enjoy the hum of revelry and contentment bouncing from every corner of a beer garden or patio. Just off for a big cry. Excuse me.

Stuttering home with sticky shoes from spilled drinks and waking up on your settee at five in the morning next to a half eaten, burned-to-shite Chicago Town pizza is an irreplaceable experience topped only by what follows it a few dry mouthed hours later.

Hangovers may be an anxiety ridden hellscape, punctuated with insufferable pangs of existential dread and throat shredding vomit, but they’re also, actually, a right laugh.

JUST LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL EVERYTHING IS

Hear me out: Hangovers from impromptu nights out may be an utter horror show because they were never intended to happen and now they’ve bled into some very serious business you need to take care of the day after. OK, nuclear situation there, wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But for the most part, you’ve intentionally decided to throw back your own body weight in lager, questionable cocktails and, for some reason, black sambuca. So you’ve planned on not being any use to anyone the day after. Perfection. There are literally no expectations of you and the day is your’s to wear a big jumper, watch Superbad, reminisce in group chats and soak up last night/this morning’s hedonism with as much food as your stomach can physically handle. What’s not to love?

Fortunately, Manchester has no shortage of spots to soak up a hangover/kickstart the next one and, with most of us definitely nursing one at some point this weekend, we thought it would be wise to point you in the direction of a handful of places that can help cure them…

Birria Brothers Tacos

You’ve all seen the dip a hundred times over by this point and it doesn’t get any less hypnotic with each drool inducing viewing. Slow…cooked…beef/goat…tacos…dipped…in…spicy consommé. That consommé, known as ‘red gold’ is made from the delectable cooking juices that drip from the beef and goat that fills each tortilla and has been responsible for the most ‘uhhhhhhhs’ per capita since Master P in ’97.

This and about five Margaritas. What more could you possibly need? Image: Birria Brothers/instagram

Birria Brothers is an offshoot of the Northern Quarter’s longstanding hangover curers Koffee Pot (shoutout Big Yins and Ulster Fries), inspired by the breakfast of choice in Tijuana, Mexico and, upon debuting on Oldham Street last month, generated queues that ended roughly somewhere around Stockport. The hype is very fucking real and so is the majestic spice/flavour combo that kicks you clean in the jaw when you first douse your mouth and face in all that hot, hot goat and Oaxacan cheese. Chuck some diced onion in there, a few sprigs of coriander and your choice of red or green jalapeño salsa and any cobwebs will be blown clean off.

Speaking to eatmcr in March, owner Sam said, “Chris (the other co-owner) has been going on about these for ages, he first tried them in his 20’s when working in New York, great on a hangover. Our consommé is inspired by our favourite curry the Nihari.”

A portion of these should also probably be followed by a sampling of the Margaritas on offer, too. The rhubarb one is an absolute winner, fyi.

Mumma’s Fried Chicken

Yes, we know the temptation to Deliveroo the Colonel to your door so you don’t have to peel yourself out of your pungent trackie bottoms is very over-fucking-whelming, but you absolutely should make the effort when the end result is going to be devouring Mumma’s Fried Chicken.

All of this, pls. Image: Mumma’s Fried Chicken/instagram

Whether it’s from their Altrincham Market or Mackie Mayor outposts, Mumma’s is always worth the trip, no matter how substantial the hangover. Their birds are brined for 12 hours then fried twice in the in-house spice blend. Thigh meat only, of course, so you’ve got all that dark, juicy flavour pouring out with every bite, the aforementioned blend of herbs and spices perfectly permeating the various adornments, whether it be Nashville hot sauce, buffalo and blue or the house hot sauce and aioli. The accompanying sides are also a delight, with the jacket fries a particular favourite. The Yuzu slaw and pickled chilli newcomer also looks a bit special. Prime tackle for soaking up last night’s mistakes and putting a big, dopey smile back on your face.

Yadgar Cafe

Seriously, even if the food at Yadgar’s wasn’t up too much (it is. And then some) they’d be making this list for their instagram feed alone. One minute there’s a close up of a Delhi Garlic Shashlik, the next there’s a video of a chimpanzee and a tortoise sharing an apple together. A roti or paratha shot will sit seamlessly alongside an aerial image of the cafe’s location. There was much more madness on there a little while ago, but much of it has since been deleted, which is a crying shame.

One of the most spectacular landmarks in all of Greater Manchester

What is not a crying shame, however, is just how spectacular Yadgar’s dishes are across the board. Their rich, deep Nihari will nourish your soul, the various breads will soak up your ills. Everything about the place will make you grin deliriously. It’s one of the few establishments where there’s really no wrong way to go. Whether it’s karahi or keema, chana or kofta, you’re going to come away feeling a lot better about the waves of tequila still sloshing around your system. This NQ stalwart is a Hall of Fame worthy rice ‘n’ three that is wonderfully ungentrifiable, with it’s day-glo pink and yellow signage a Thomas St landmark that should be preserved for posterity for generations to come. Shuffle down here on a doomed Sunday aft and save your weekend.

Bada Bing

In life, whether absurdly rough from eight solid hours of Pilsener or fresh as a daisy after a morning of peppermint tea and yoga, there is absolutely nothing that tops a massive, triumphant sandwich. Nothing. Actually, the only way slapping a selection of your favourite fillings and condiments between two slices of bread can be evolved into a superior experience is by enjoying it with your favourite TV show. Which is obviously The Sopranos.

“OH, there he is”

Fortunately, in Manchester we can now combine these two elements by immersing ourselves in the two fisted sans being slung every weekend by Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter at Bada Bing, the hoagie hole-in-the-wall named after the finest fictional strip club in North New Jersey. Gabagool, mortadella, sharp provolone, salami (both Napoli and ventricina) and various other assorted meats are piled high on in-house rolls, accompanied by mounds of fresh salad, olives, homemade giardinara and pickled peppers. Veggie options, such as the magnificently named, ‘oof marone!’ inducing, mushroom shawarma filled ‘Paulie Walnuts’ are equally as satisfying as their cured meat counterparts. It’s safe to say the Bing produces the very definition of Hero Sandwiches, so slip on the Italian branded leisure wear of your choosing and a crisp white vest and be prepared to shout “OH!” a whole fucking lot. Oh, and their fizzy pop selection is Lilt and Vimto heavy, so you know they’re absolutely unfuckwithable.

Tokyo Ramen

Let us count the ways in which we’ve missed Tokyo Ramen over these last 13 Covid ridden months. How could we not? So many hours have been lost daydreaming about slurping up their chicken bone broth soaked noodles, feeling that torched pork belly effortlessly fall apart between our teeth and the sense tingling crunch of that koji fried chicken. Seriously, it’s been a whole lot. But now with the team at TR landing on Deliveroo, as well as offering up their sensational instant ramen meal kits, there’s no need to merely fantasise over each face steaming dish, they are once more a reality, long awaited and rapidly devoured.

ART. Image: Tokyo Ramen/instagram

This haven of eye glazing umami and yuzu notes has long been one of our favourite spots in the city, hungover or not, but when you’re trying to flush about 12 litres of rum soaked toxins out of your system, there are far, far worse ways to do it than via a Shoyu steam bath.

Cà Phê Viet

Pho, with it’s glacial clear, bone broth, usually of beef, chicken or oxtail (with seafood and vegetarian variants also popular) draws you in like a siren, all furiously flavoured scents and hypnotic colours. In Manchester, we’re blessed with plenty of premium options when it comes to the Vietnamese delicacy, but our hangover haven of choice has regularly been the unassuming Ancoats joint Cà Phê Viet, on Oldham Road.

A ‘Little Vietnam’ original since 2014, Cà Phê Viet can sort you out with some of the city’s finest Pho. Pre-lockdown, you could be sat, back to the window, eyes closed, with the chattering of a regular Vietnamese contingent (the cafe is reassuringly popular with the city’s Vietnamese community, many of whom live around Ancoats and Miles Platting) dancing around your ears, being transported to Ho Chi Minh for a brief, brilliant few seconds. For the time being, of course, you’ll have to make do with takeaway, but the pilgrimage to Oldham Road is never not worth the effort, especially as it affords you the opportunity to peruse the in store grocery, deciding what items to take with you to replicate the experience from your own kitchen for when you don’t feel like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to the inside of your head.

Wolf At The Door

One…Quid…Tacos…And…Baos. ONE…..QUID.

Very difficult to get past that, isn’t it? Even if you’ve been French kissing porcelain all morning and afternoon, if someone tells you there’s baos and tacos on offer for a quid each, you’d make the effort to shovel them down your throat, wouldn’t you?

OK, so it’s just a small selection of the menu that is actually available for a quid each (one of them is the Chippy Tea bao with curry dust, though. Don’t sleep on it), but even so, the pricier offerings aren’t going to set you back that much more at the Thomas Street cocktail bar. Personal favourites include the Volcano Beef Bao, all full of sumptuous, spicy, beer braised brisket and the jerk chicken tacos with their invigoratingly effective pineapple salsa, sharply piercing through the final throes of slurry still lodged in your stomach from the night before. Blissfully basking in the NQ sunshine, WATD has plenty of outdoor space for you to enjoy, soaking in that sweet, sweet serotonin as you decide that yes, you should add a portion of garlic butter fries to your order and, now you’re here, let’s see what this natural wine menu is all about…

Al Zain

Let’s face it, we often don’t make very wise kebab related decisions when we’re staggering around at 4am like a knackered shire horse that’s about to be led into a quiet barn, never to be seen again. Rubbery Doner (good name for a band, that *makes note*) stuffed into a tooth extracting naan, crudely adorned with boulder sized hunks of tasteless tomato and drowned in curdled garlic mayo and searingly aggressive, fluorescent chilli sauce, is not a combination that is going to agree with you a few hours later. But in the cold light of day, when your decision making is perhaps a bit more up to scratch, you should be 100 percent affirmative about your need to hit up Al Zain’s in Rusholme.

A master at work

A Kurdish owned shawarma joint, Al Zain’s serves up the finest vertical Lebanese lamb in town. Two shawarma spits (one lamb, one chicken) twirl mesmerically like ballerinas in front of you upon entrance, the much fuller chicken version a clear second best to the ludicrously popular lamb variety, crowned with tomatoes and onion, which permeate through knee tremblingly tender meat. All wrapped in a traditional flatbread that delivers the perfect amount of chew, as you proceed to tear through meat that just glides apart, mixing effortlessly well with the bread and accompanying pickles and salad, all luminous oranges, purples and greens. The mule kick of chilli sending the utter bastard of a hangover you’re enduring running for it’s fucking life, not to return for another week.

Depending on how hellacious you’re feeling, you could frequent a few of our other favourite establishments on Wilmslow Road, all of which featured in this little ditty we put together back in November with Luke Unabomber.

That’s Thai

Now, ordinarily you wouldn’t expect a garage on Cheetham Hill Road to be the source of some of the most glorious Thai food in all of Greater Manchester. But somehow, there is wizardry occurring at That’s Thai that we can’t explain. But what we can explain is how obsessed with it we are and how you all should be flocking there immediately.

Just to confirm, the food isn’t being served in the garage, but rather next door. A worse-for-wear black awning provides the distinction between restaurant and mechanic’s shop and lures you in with the sizzle of chilli, allowing you to drift helplessly towards the street side serving hatch to place an order that, and we’re not being dramatic here, will probably change your life.

Owned by Wan Pradit Hewitt and her husband, who also owns the garage next door, That’s Thai is as ‘hidden gem’ as it gets, all secluded and secretive in an area of town more synonymous with Middle Eastern and Eastern European cuisine. The usual suspects of Pad Thai and green curry are available if you want to keep things simple, but Wan is also cooking up more adventurous tackle in her diminutive unit, such as Kual Tiew Num Tok (broth with sliced pork, pork balls, rice noodles and morning glory) and Laab Moo (spicy minced pork salad with rice powder, chilli powder, lime leaves and Thai herbs), so you can rest assured that you’re being revived with the good stuff when you take the trip to Cheetham Hill. And, if your car’s as knackered as you are, you can get it sorted while you wait for your drunken noodles. Perfect.

Gladstone Barber & Bistro

Palestinian breakfast rolls? Yes fucking please.

OK, when you hear the word ‘barber’ in the name of any restaurant, you’re immediately going to be a bit suspicious. Especially when we’re out here suggesting hangover cures. No one is going to fancy a funky new summer ‘do when they’re nursing an absolute whopper. The nauseating buzz of the clippers, the itch of the rogue hairs drifting down the back of your neck. It’s not the one. Which is why a trip out to Gladstone’s in Stalybridge comes with much more than a fresh trim.

This followed by a nice wholesome country stroll. Absolute magic, tbh

Owner Yezzan has laid on a selection of childhood favourites, like his Mum and Dad’s beans on toast and egg kofta roll. The extra large hash brown muffin with house made brown sauce is also another surefire winner, while the chicken musakhan is a speciality you really can’t miss. Aaaaaaaaand, maybe decimate a shawarma hash and the big, dippy yolked fried egg that’s sitting atop it. Belly full and suds soaked up, you’re then free to have a big wholesome stroll around the nearby Stalybridge Country Park. Fresh air and a flask of tea and you’re absolutely laughing.

Honourable Mentions

Obviously, there’s a distinct lack of pizza on here, but with Manchester’s ‘za options now operating at a ludicrously high level of quality and variation, we’d need to dedicate an entire article alone to them. However, one option that does criminally slip under the radar is Cuckoo’s stonebaked menu, out in Prestwich, where you can also revitalise your weary brain with their blisteringly good Bloody Mary and baked eggs. Hot sauce, eggs, marinara. Yes, yes, yes.

Elsewhere, since the beef patty renaissance of 2012, there’s been no shortage of burger blessings to keep our hangovers occupied in the city – shoutout Almost Famous, Burgerism and Triple B as well as Wholesome Junkies and V Rev for those top quality beyond meat choices.

Or, if somehow none of the above are ringing your bell (and we’re not sure how they couldn’t), just head to your nearest chippy. Chippy teas are eternal, aren’t they? Don’t ever trust anyone who’s ever not in the mood for one.

The Lesser Known Manchester Beer Gardens to Hit up After Reopening

July 4th, 2020 – We descend en masse to pubs, bars and restaurants, promising to never take them for granted again, following three-and-a-half pintless months, where freshly poured bevs had been replaced by the hernia inducing horrors of Joe Wickes’ home workouts. Jesus H Christ, we thought, let us never speak of March-June 2020 ever again.

Then everything promptly closed back down a few months later and we didn’t even have boozers available for the usual festive debauchery that is so gloriously synonymous with December. There wasn’t even a takeaway pint to be glugged desperately on a Northern Quarter street corner. End times territory.

This Monday, however, to paraphrase one of Baltimore’s smoothest Kingpins, Stringer Bell, the word is out there………. that we back up.

Condensation is going to trickle down glasses, puddling on picnic benches and curiously balanced patio furniture once again. Day sessions will evolve into all nighters under the sunshine and heat lamps, lagers gradually making way for shorter measures of stronger units. So many bags of crisps are going to be opened so, so flatly on so many tables. And naturally, some of those big umbrellas are going to be sent careering through the streets by rogue North Western winds, like an obscenely pissed up level of Total Wipeout. It’s going to be fucking glorious.

But where should your outdoor reunions take place from April 12th and beyond? Unsurprisingly, reservations are being snapped up quicker than a portion of birria tacos at the moment, while walk up jobs may be a fraught, face masked free-for-all as eager boozers pile into the city centre on Monday morning.

Naturally, all eyes will be cast towards the triumphant, pedestrianised stretch of outdoor amenities at our disposal through Thomas Street, Stevenson Square and Edge Street, basking in all their communal, European City vibes. Then there’s the Aperol spritzed gloss of the Corn Exchange and Spinningfields and, of course, the Sam Smiths soaked sun trap of Sinclair’s Oyster Bar. Not to mention Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, tempting you Eastwards of the city with the promise of al fresco bevving and Rudy’s pizza.

Yet these heavy hitters are all a bit obvious, aren’t they? That’s not a dismissal. Far from it. But it just means they’re likely to be utterly chocker come reopening time. So where should you look to away from the queues and the chaos? What corners of the city centre are going to be that bit easier to negotiate for a Guinness and a packet of Scampi Fries? Let’s take a little tour, shall we?

Tom’s Chop House

Old Mr. Thomas not only knows his way round classic pub staples like corned beef hash and steak and kidney pudding, he’s also knocked out one of the finest beer gardens in the city centre, tucked cosily behind his Chop House on Cross Street, backing onto St. Ann’s Square.

Guinness, fish and mushy pea butties and sunshine. What more could you want?

Yes, this Industrial Revolution era Victorian icon, once celebrated by the New York Times as ‘probably Manchester’s most venerable pub’, has been adored by the masses since it flung open it’s doors in 1901, but it’s outdoor facilities still feel somewhat overlooked, perhaps owing to the fact it’s wood panelled and green Minton tiled interior is so relentlessly welcoming and difficult to leave. Outside, however, you can kick back with a view of the Grade I listed St. Ann’s Church and all its intricate stained glass, while expertly poured pints are placed under your beaming face, alongside one of their utterly wondrous fish and mushy pea butties. Yes to all of that, please. All afternoon and evening.

The White Lion

When you think Castlefield beer gardens, the usual suspects of Dukes, Albert’s Shed and The Wharf often, understandably, dominate the conversation. It’s hard not to yearn for their teeming patios as you’re pressed against the glass of a post-work Met pulling into the Deansgate stop. But venture further towards the city centre, onto Liverpool Street, and you’ll be rewarded with a less frantic, but much easier going experience.

Castlefield’s finest. Image: White Lion/Facebook

At the Lion, you likely won’t be stood around, barely able to make conversation in case a couple of seats at the arse end of the garden suddenly appear empty. You’ll comfortably slot in to a no nonsense session of pints, chips and people watching, all Timothy Taylor’s cask ales and salt and vinegar sending you into a heady haze of euphoria as you are somewhat ominously overlooked by the foreboding Hilton Hotel. The White Lion remains steadfastly locked in time, never altering what it does best, which is simple, effective, red brick pub tackle, with a set of pretty impressive festoon lights illuminating your evening session once the sun lilts behind the surrounding glass fronted high rises. Solid crisp selection as well, which is obviously crucial.

Bar Fringe

The rejuvenation of Ancoats in recent years has perhaps led more than a few people to forget that there’s plenty happening outside of Cutting Room Square in the city’s former Little Italy. Most notably perhaps, on Swan Street where, over the road from the imperious Mackie Mayor, lies the unassuming, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Bar Fringe. The Belgian inspired boozer has been operating since 1996, picking up a few CAMRA awards for its beer and cider offerings and a loyal following along the way.

Psst, round the back…

Dubbed ‘a haven of eccentricity’ by the Manchester Evening News in 2003, Fringe has lived up to that moniker in the intervening 18 years, pulling in plenty of delighted regulars with it’s vast array of local and continental lagers (think Vedett, Timmerman’s Delirium, Duvel and Leffe), yet it doesn’t seem as though many have shared their knowledge of the back garden tucked away out of sight and out of mind. Rightfully so, too, as once the pandemonium of next week hits, most of us will be glad of a safe haven where we can have a tipple and tab in peace. Ideally served alongside one of Fringe’s notoriously solid chip butties. According to their instagram, the garden is open for business from the 17th, rather than the 12th, so be sure to use this knowledge wisely.

Big Hands

‘Drink, dance, fall over!’ says the bio of one of Manchester’s most beloved cult bars. Pretty sound advice, innit? What is also sound advice is venturing out to Oxford Road at any point from next Monday onwards and allowing yourself to be allured by the neon red of the Big Hands sign, which you can follow all the way to their secluded roof garden.

Yep. This’ll do. Image: Big Hands/instagram

While your pints may not be followed by a sweat, weak lager and piss stained gig at the Academy afterwards, as is so often the routine when visiting Big Hands, they will be accompanied by a feel good factor that is pretty fucking hard to beat and has been since the Violent Femmes inspired saloon opened in 2001. Operating on a walk-ins only basis from Monday, you are encouraged to ‘bring a mask and a good attitude’, so saddle up with yourself and up to five others and soak up some very positive energy over a few pitchers of Tuborg and what is guaranteed to be an utterly mesmeric playlist. Then plan your first jukebox hovvering visit for when indoor bevving becomes a reality in May.

The Briton’s Protection

Sitting on the corner of Great Bridgewater Street and Lower Mosley Street, the Briton’s Protection is one of the oldest and finest pubs in Manchester, dating back to 1806 and offering a quite terrifying selection of whiskeys (over 330 varieties at last count). It’s the sort of watering hole that will always stand the test of time – divided into two rooms by the bar on the inside, with a narrow, mahogany and bottle green colour scheme, endlessly varnished furniture and plush, well worn leather – you’ll struggle to find any sort of urge to ever leave, yet that will all have to wait until May, because it’s the Briton’s beer garden where you will be having to situate yourself for the next month until indoor boozing kicks back in, next month.

Slots are available to book via DM on instagram, so while walk-ins may not be possible, you should still act quickly and secure your spot and then plan how you are most effectively (and responsibly!) going to work your way through that almost infinite whiskey menu or, if that isn’t your thing, there’s a pretty vast selection of interesting and international lager and cider to plough through, sequestered away from the noise of the nearby tram stop and main road, you can enjoy a wholesome slice of history while the throngs jockey for position round the corner at the sure to be heaving Gasworks and Bunny Jackson’s.

The Pilcrow

This Sadler’s Yard stalwart is perfectly located near Victoria Station, meaning it’s ludicrously easy to stumble home from, while also offering the benefit of being tucked away from the delirium of the mad dashes that will be made throughout the city centre next week.

Keep your pecker up at the Pilcrow

Being part of the Common family, you can rest assured The Pilcrow really does give great pub (read that in the voice of Father Todd Unctious from the Father Ted Christmas Special), with 17 rotating, seasonal beers in operation (their insta will usually keep you updated on what they’re offering), Ancoats Coffee for the tee totals/designated drivers among us and, on top of their sensational sharing boards, scotch egg and toasties they, remarkably, were also offering NELL’S DELIVERY TO YOUR TABLE via the Common app pre-winter lockdown, which is very, very * does Italian hand gesture and pouts lips *. Here’s hoping that service makes a welcome return post-April 12th.

Lock 91

Cobbled streets and cocktails is a winning combination in anyone’s book and fortunately, Lock 91 has both in abundance down at their Lock Keeper’s Cottage on Deansgate.

Effervescent drinks accompanied by 100+ year old brickwork and Dickensian flooring may sound like someone’s had a go at remaking Sex and The City on Coronation Street (would watch, would love, fyi) but propping yourself up with a plethora of expertly mixed, industrial strength concoctions underneath a covered canalside terrace is an afternoon or evening that is hard to beat. The excellently situated Lock reopens for weekends only on Friday 16th with tables only available via reservation. Book for one of their Bloody Mary’s to send one hangover packing before working your way towards another.

Cobbles and cocktails. A winning combination in anyone’s book. Image: Lock 91/instagram

Sir Ralph Abercromby

Bratwurst and Beers. That’s almost all that needs to be said for The Aberbrombie’s al fresco offering, because what’s better than a hotdog and a cold beer on a sunny day? There’s a reason millions of Americans got bang into baseball and it’s because game day is an excuse to sit in the sunshine with a ballpark frank in one hand and a tall, frosty lager in the other (although, admittedly, someone absolutely twatting a Home Run before everyone belts out ‘Take Me Out To The Ball Game’ is fucking great gear as well). Substitute the frankfurter for the more substantial brat and Fenway Park or Wrigley Field for Sir Ralph’s gaff between Bootle Street and Jackson Row and you are well and truly in flavour country.

The Abercrombie’s seating area can house 130 safely socially distanced drinkers, who will be served at their tables with the aforementioned meat in tube form and ale from an in house Victorian cart. The pub is the only remaining structure from the time of the Peterloo Massacre, when those wounded during the violence were brought to the ale house for medical treatment, making the Abercrombie one of the most historically significant watering holes in the entire city. With walk ins only being accepted from next week, you should stroll over and enjoy a pint or three in the garden of this cultural landmark, as it’s one of the last of a dying breed.

The Angel **We’ve kept this in but it turns out the beer garden was full of people drinking there whilst the pub was closed, we’re trying to find out when it’ll reopen*

Sitting on a corner of Rochdale Road, almost equidistant from the Northern Quarter and Ancoats mobs, The Angel could have easily become a forgotten boozer, struggling to compete with it’s surrounding areas. Instead, the former Beer House persevered with tradition. It’s a real ale haven and dog friendly to boot. While it’s upstairs log fire is idyllic during a regular autumn/winter, the Angel’s recently re-turfed exterior is what will keep you coming back over the next month, with plenty of space to sink a few ales, ciders or wine from their impressive selection.

Oh, and you could do a lot worse than soak up your suds with a plate or dish off the Angel’s food menu too. Solid, honest pub fare that will see you right for an afternoon of IPA’s in the spring sunshine/drizzle. After the year the Angel have had, which included a pre-pandemic war of attrition with the council and MODA Living/Caddick, they’re well deserving of your custom.

Crown & Anchor

If top secret supping is what you’re after, then Crown & Anchor on Hilton Street is where you need to be heading. The NQ bolthole hasn’t advertised it’s hidden beer garden, but the pub which shares its owners with the Shack Bar & Grill have given the space a refurb, ready for reopening week.

The side terrace is tucked away from street view and, it must be said, isn’t often heavily populated, which makes it ideal for a period of time where patios and terraces and gardens will be utterly heaving. You can get yourself situated with a steady stream of glasses to empty and enjoy a couple of hours of relative solitude. We’ve yet to see the Shack inspired refurb in all it’s glory but rest assured, this is a secluded slice of the city that we’re more than happy to keep coming back to, and you will be too.

Of course, this streamlined selection is by no means a definitive list of hidden gems or anything like that, with plenty of Greater Manchester’s suburbs and neighbourhoods providing excellent outdoor options. But if city centre pinting is going to be your thing this week, you could do a lot worse than these suckers.

Now, let’s just hope for plenty of sunsh *checks weather app* ah for fuck sa……see you under the brollies and patio heaters then, yeah?

Places to go this weekend for your Easter fix

The Easter Bank Holiday weekend is upon us – four days off in the sunshine (or potentially the snow if you believe the forecast).

With Covid restrictions having eased at the beginning of this week, there’s now potential to get together in groups of six or two households for meet ups in the garden or in a park.

Whether you’re staying in or heading round to a friends garden, we’ve rounded up some delicious Easter treats to enjoy from a range of independent restaurants, cafes, bars and retailers in Manchester.

Easter Eggs

Cocoa and Bloom are crafting some of the prettiest Easter Eggs we’ve seen. Available in dark, milk and white chocolate, the eggs are filled with 12 of their chocolates. There is a vegan option available too.

They are also doing limited edition boxes of hot cross bun chocolates made with caramelised white chocolate and hot cross bun ganache. Everything is available for collection from their unit in Pollard Yard. Order at cocoa-bloom.co.uk.

Other great chocolatiers in Manchester include Dormouse Chocolates in the city centre, Slattery in Whitefield, Cocoa Tree in Chorlton, and Cocoa Cabana in Ancoats and West Didsbury.

Hot Cross Buns

The classic Easter treat, warm and spicy, soft and sweet; perfect fresh out of the oven or toasted with butter.

Longbois Bakes in Levenshulme will have fresh hot cross buns on the counter at the weekend, as well as Creme Egg pop tarts, chocolate caramel Easter nest tarts and mini egg cookies, alongside their our usual menu. They are open as usual on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Mini Egg Doughnuts

Now for a sweet treat that’s a little less traditional but one that still screams Easter – Siop Shop‘s mini egg doughnut – topped with a chocolate nest and a cluster of Mini Eggs.

They’ve also got a sticky hot cross bun doughnut. Both Easter specials will be available Wednesday to Sunday this week. For more information visit their Instagram page.

Hot Cross Bun Cookies

Gooey has revealed their Easter special cookie which is – you guessed it – a hot cross bun cookie.

Available for one week only, it’s got milk and dark chocolate chips, raisins sultanas, mixed peel and hot cross buns spices and it’s finished with a buttercream cross.

Order for delivery and collection at thegooey.co.

Easter Egg Cruffins

Easter Egg Cruffins from Pollen

For the bank holiday weekend, Pollen Bakery will have lots of Easter Egg cruffins on the counter. Croissant dough, swirled into the shape of a muffin, filled with a silky chocolate cremeux and topped with Easter Egg chocolate.

Pop into the bakery this weekend to try one.

Wine and Chocolates

Salut has created a special wine box for Easter including three bottles of wine – perfect for the Bank Holiday weekends – as well as chocolate bunnies from Cocoa Tree in Chorlton.

The box includes a luscious Spanish white to pair with Good Friday fish, an elegant red to go perfectly with a juicy leg of lamb and a rosè to enjoy in the sunshine!

You can order their box here.

Italian Easter Cakes

Similar to a Pannetone, the Colomba di Pasqua is a dove-shaped sweet bread traditionally eaten on Easter in Italy. Salvi’s has different varieties at their deli in the Corn Exchange.

They did even have some limited edition Dolce and Gabbanna cakes in stock but these are always pretty popular so you’ll have to pop down to see if there’s any left in store.

Easter French Toast

Federal is serving up a special Easter French Toast this weekend for takeaway from their Northern Quarter and Deansgate cafes.

The brioche French toast is served with chocolate orange sauce, vanilla mascarpone and Mini Eggs. Available from Saturday to Monday this week, pop in to order.

Vegan Creme Eggs

Vibrant vegan baker, Drizzle City Bakes has a range of Easter treats available to order for this weekend including vegan Creme Eggs, cakes and cookies.

They can be ordered via the Drizzle City website, through the Grub-E-Mart shop before Thursday lunchtime or from Herbivorous at Ancoats General Store.

Bank holiday BBQ

Argentinian red prawns from Baratxuri

Baratxuri are offering BBQ kits for the Bank Holiday weekend with a selection of tapas dishes designed to feed two to four people. Dishes include Basque chorizo, Iberico pork, Galician octopus and Argentinian red prawns.

The dishes can be cooked on the BBQ or in your kitchen. They also have Basque burnt cheesecake available to order for this weekend. All kits and dishes available to order via their website.

Restaurants where you can still get a table in April

The day is finally arriving when we’ll be able to, once again, head out of our homes to eat food and drink drinks at restaurants and bars.

From Monday 12 April, you’ll be able to visit venues to order food and drink outside. There’ll be no substantial meal rule and there’ll be no 10pm curfew. Hallelujah.

But with restaurants’ diaries understandably filling up fast, it’s a bit tricky to know where you’ll actually be able to get a table.

Here, we’ve rounded up places that still have availability for bookings and the times when you have your best chance of securing a table, as well as places that will have tables available for walk-ins.

This list was correct when it was last updated on 17 March.

Elnecot

Apart from the first weekend after restrictions ease, Elnecot has good availability for tables in April. They’ll have their outdoor tables in Cutting Room Square and will also be accepting walk ins.

Book here.

El Gato Negro

After being inundated with requests after they opened their terrace for bookings, El Gato Negro announced last week that they are taking bookings for their ‘pavement terrace’ on King Street.

Even these are filling up fast with tables only available in the daytime and later on in the evening for the first few weeks of April.

Book a spot here.

Canto

Also taking part in the ‘tapas on the terrace event’ is El Gato’s sister restaurant Canto. There will be 50 covers on Blossom Street, looking out onto Cutting Room Square.

Both events will run 12pm to 10pm in the run up to the restaurants’ official reopenings on May 17. Fridays and Saturdays are busy but other than that there are tables available.

Book for Canto here.

Tapas on the Terrace

The Refuge

Having recently announced their transformed outdoor terrace, The Refuge by Volta still has some limited availability for online bookings. These bookings will be for dining only but there will be limited opportunities for walk-in drinks, especially towards the end of the night.

They’ve also told us that there is availability that opens up each day as people change there plans, so it’s worth checking back regularly if you fancy dining at The Refuge.

Escape to Freight Island

Freight Island has had huge demand for bookings since they were announced so as you’d expect, availability is quite limited. However, they do have evening slots free each week from Sunday to Wednesday, so you should still be able to get a table if you book soon.

They’re currently taking bookings until 16 May via their website, where you can also sign up to the mailing list to get early access to bookings next time around. Book here.

Hatch

Hatch is taking bookings for half of their available tables and saving half for walk-ins. The two opening weekends are sold out but there are still lots of options throughout the week. Take a look at what’s available here.

Freight Island still has a few tables left from Sunday to Wednesday

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is taking outdoor table bookings for food or drinks only. Friday and Saturday evenings are quite full but there is still decent availability during the daytimes and plenty of tables during the week. Walk-ins will also be available.

Book here.

Rudy’s

Taking bookings at its Ancoats and Peter Street restaurants from April 12, Rudy’s is totally booked up for the first weekend after reopening but apart from that there is still decent availability for lunchtimes and throughout the week. You can book a table via their website here.

Crazy Pedro’s – NQ

Crazy Pedro’s NQ has JUST released more availability for Bottomless Brunch bookings, most of them are just before 5pm if you’re struggling to find free spots. They’ll also have space for walk-ins on the day too.

Tampopo

Tampopo will be opening the outdoor seating area at Albert Square restaurant from 12 April. There’s still plenty of availability at the moment. You can book a table here.

Salut

Wine bar and shop Salut will be open for drinks, small plates and sharing boards in their outdoor area from 12 April. It’ll be walk ins only and you can find out more on their Instagram.

Oast House

The Oast House has midweek availability for table bookings but they will still be accepting walk-ins on the weekends at their large Spinningfields outdoor areas.

Book a table here.

Salut’s outdoor area

Scene

Scene Indian Street Kitchen is taking bookings for their outdoor terrace, they’ve got lots of room at the back looking over the river and heated seating areas at the front too. They are fully booked the first Saturday back (April 17) but apart from that they have lots of tables available.  You can book here.

Common

The outdoor tables on Edge Street will be returning and Common will be open for walk ins only from Tuesday to Friday 4pm until late and from 12pm on weekends.

The Beagle

With tables available in their conservatory, The Beagle in Chorlton is taking walk ins only from Tuesday to Friday for drinks and slices of Nell’s Pizza.

Hatch

The first couple of weekends at Hatch have sold out completely but there are a few tables left here and there during the first few weeks of opening. They are also saving half the capacity for walk ins so even if you’ve not booked, you should still be able to get a table.

You can check availability here.

Hatch is fully booked for the first couple of weekends but they will still be accepting walk ins

Con Club, Altrincham

The Con Club restaurant in Altrincham will be reopening for dining in April and will be accepting walk ins in their outdoor area.

For their latest updates, visit their Instagram page.

The Botanist, Media City

There are plenty of tables still available to book for The Botanist Media City’s outdoor area when they reopen on 12 April. Book here.

Levanter, Ramsbottom

Levanter is taking bookings for their covered and heated outdoor space on Square Street. Aside from the opening couple of weekends, they still have good availability, especially midweek and on Sundays. Towards the end of April there are still some tables available on Fridays and Saturdays, and May bank holiday weekends still have availability too. Book at levanterfinefoods.co.uk.

Nutters, Norden

Fine dining Rochdale restaurant, Nutters is taking bookings for their terrace for nibbles, desserts and drinks. They opened the phone lines to start taking bookings at the weekend so there are still plenty of tables available. To book, call 01706 650167.

Nutters in Norden

Sugo, Altrincham

From 13 April, Sugo is taking bookings at their Altrincham restaurant only. The Ancoats restaurant isn’t opening until May for indoor dining. For Altrincham, there is very limited availability in April but if you’re desperate for a helping of Sugo, we’ve just seen two tables open up for dinnertime on 15 April and there’s one late table on 21 April too. There’s some more availability in May.

Book a table for Sugo Altrincham here.

Volta, Didsbury

Volta announced they were taking bookings this week and they have already filled up pretty fast. The first week and first couple of weekends are pretty full but there’s still the odd table here and there, and there is more availability for evenings during the week.

Book here.

The Hive, Stretford

The Hive has created a brand new covered and heated outdoor area outside their restaurant and bar in Stretford Mall. They are taking bookings from 15 April.

Book here.

Do you know somewhere else that should be on this list? Feel free to get in touch on Instagram: instagram.com/eatmcr.

A Guide to Manchester’s New Openings in 2021

With a roadmap out of lockdown in place, it felt like a good time to start thinking about what’s to come in Manchester. What better way then, than to track all the openings in the city centre and beyond for the rest of the year, inspired partly by a similar piece saw in Eater London.

Whilst the pandemic is still ongoing, these dates and openings will potentially have to change which is why we’ll regularly update this as often as we can. It’s been a long 12 months for the industry but it seems like the new openings are going to continue almost at the pace they were pre-Covid.

Heard about somewhere we should add? Get in touch here.

LAST UPDATED. 31st March 2021

APRIL

Ramona

What is it. A Detroit inspired pizzeria & bakery, with a large beer garden and campfires (Currently in soft launch)
Where. Great Ancoats Street, Ancoats
Who. The team behind Trof, Gorilla and Deaf Institute

The Smithfield Social

What is it. An all day drink + dining venue in the former Teacup Kitchen site on Thomas Street
Where. Thomas Street and Edge Street, Northern Quarter
Who. Liam Fray, Jobe Ferguson of The Liar’s Group and Anthony Fielden of  TNQ restaurant

O’Shea’s Beer Garden

What is it. A huge outdoor beer garden venue by O’Shea’s Irish Bar
Where. Behind Piccadilly Station
Who. O’Shea’s Irish Bar which first opened on Princess Street in 1994

May

The Blues Kitchen MCR

What is it. A huge two storey live music venue + restaurant. Bourbon, bbq and blues
Where. 13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
Who. The creators of XOYO, The Jazz Café & The Blues Kitchen

Jimmys

What is it. Jimmy’s is back, the live music bar that got kicked out of its NQ home early last year
Where. Ancoats
Who. Brothers Jimmy and George Craig

Summer 2021

Lost Cat

What is it. A florist, a cocktail bar, a live music venue and the NQ’s first and only rooftop terrace
Where. 64 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Who. Lyndon Higginson of Crazy Pedro’s, Cane & Grain, The Liars Club & more

Junior Jackson’s

What is it. A dive bar in the NQ will be Bunny Jackson’s 2nd bar in town, the other at First Street
Where. 68 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Who. Same again. Lyndon Higginson

Circle Square / Hello Oriental Market Hall

What is it. A new neighbourhood from Bruntwood that will include a 3 story underground market hall
Where. Circle Square, Oxford Road
Who. Bruntwood SciTech / Hello Oriental, Ocean Treasure

Society – Food Hall

What is it. A new £1 million street food market hall ft an Elnecot pizzeria, Falafel Guys & more
Where. Barbirolli Square, Manchester, M2 3AB (across from Bridgewater Hall)
Who. By Vocation Brewery behind Underground Assembly in Leeds

BrewDog Hotel

What is it. A three floor hotel + restaurant + bar with a rooftop terrace from BrewDog. Their first in the country.
Where. 35 Peter St, Manchester M2 5BG
Who. BrewDog

Sometime in 2021

Slice Pizzeria

What is it. A Rome inspired cafe and pizzeria that was previously in Stevenson Square is set to reopen
Where. Oxford Road Station Approach
Who. Same owners, same team

Salt Dog Slims

What is it. American style chilli dogs + speakeasy
Where. Somewhere on King Street
Who. GSG Hospitality. The team behind a whole host of Liverpool bars + Duke Street Market

The EATMCR Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2021

Mother’s Day last year was the very first event that we spent in lockdown. I remember, during the first few weeks, walking past closed pubs with signs for Mother’s Day roasts and free prosecco deals for weeks.

As we roll around to another Mother’s Day in lockdown and with pub doors still shut for now, sons and daughters are going to have to get creative once again for the day dedicated to mums and mother figures.

As ever, let’s all try support independent businesses.

Food

So, you can’t take your mum out for a meal just yet but at least there are more at-home options compared to last year including roast deliveries, afternoon tea and brunch boxes.

Rudy’s bake at home pizza kits and Cocoa & Bloom’s beautifully designed chocolates

Afternoon tea

Nibble NQ has a range meal boxes which can be delivered across the UK. The afternoon tea box includes herby cheese scones and sweet scones with clotted cream, lemon curd and compote, mini quiches, sausage rolls, brownies with creme egg, Turkish delight and beetroot fudge, banana bread, treacle tart flapjacks and rhubard crumble cake.

The box costs £30 and deliveries are on Friday 12 March. There’s also a vegan version, plus a ‘breakfast in bed’ box and cake boxes too. Order here.

Other afternoon tea boxes on offer are from Grand Pacific MCR (starting from £19 per person), Propeller Coffee in Sale, Tea Hive in Chorlton and an East meets West afternoon tea from Backyard Bakes (with Desi snacks, cakes and scones).

Sunday roast

So we’ve had afternoon tea, now for the other classic Mother’s Day meal – the Sunday Roast.

Albert Schloss has announced they are delivering three-course Mother’s Day Sunday lunches, with a choice of Cheshire chicken supreme, roast Lancashire beef, slow cooked porchetta or pumpkin, beetroot and lentil wellington for mains, plus a choice of starter and dessert. They can be ordered here.

Other Sunday roast deliveries in Manchester include Edinburgh Castle, Cibus, Don Giovanni, Sam’s Chop House and Trof.

Dinner

If you’d normally go out for a nice meal with your mum, then delivering her a takeaway or meal kit might be the closest you’ll get this Mother’s Day.

Some new cook-at-home options that you might not have tried yet include Tattu‘s new sharing menu which includes a selection of their most popular dishes and Nell’s new ‘grandma style’ bake-at-home pizzas for a more budget-friendly option. Rudy’s are also doing Mother’s Day Bundles which include pizzas, desserts, and drinks.

Pasta Factory has also created a lasagna kit especially for Mother’s Day, with their fresh pasta sheet, traditional beef ragu, bechamel and parmesan.

Grand Pacific’s High Tea at Home and Palm’s Bakery’s cakes

Hampers

Whether sending it to someone you can’t be with, or enjoying it together as an outdoor picnic, a hamper full of goodies is a wonderful gift.

We’re a big fan of Abeja Tapas Bar’s board-in-a-box hampers which include a choice of wine, Cava or Sangria, a sharing board (with meat, cheese or both), olives, sesame flatbreads, extra-virgin olive oil, handmade chocolates, hand-tied bouquet of dried flowers and a personalised message. Order them here.

Eat Well MCR’s luxury weekend hamper includes bagels to boil and bake at home, smoked salmon, eggs, apple juice and milk all from local small producers. There’s also a bottle of natural fizz. Profits fund meals for vulnerable people in Manchester, including many mothers sheltering with their children in temporary accommodation. Available to order for shipping across the UK if your mum isn’t Manchester based. Order here.

Elnecot have created a special Mother’s Day selection including homemade scones and miso caramel brownies made by Elnecot, as well as other products from local companies including smoked salmon and paté from Manchester Smokehouse, Companio Bakery sourdough, three cheeses from The Crafty Cheese Man. The Elnecot box also includes a 20% discount voucher for when they reopen.

You can also order hampers from traders at Altrincham Market by emailing order@marketoperations.co.uk who will send through all the information.

Vouchers

As we approach reopening, many restaurants are now beginning to take bookings for diners from 12 April outside and from 17 May inside. And, another way of supporting these places ahead of the reopening is by buying a voucher.

Most restaurants will do vouchers for you, so it’s just a case of picking one your mum will love and giving them a call.

Sweet treats

If your mother figure has a sweet tooth, there are plenty of small bakery businesses in Manchester to support this Mother’s Day.

For whole cakes there’s the shaggy cakes from The Palms Bakery and floral cakes from Eve In the Oven.

Manchester Brownie Box are doing brownies with edible flowers, there’s the Mother’s Day edition box from Get Yer Macaron and a Mother’s Day cake collab between Pollard Yard neighbours, Loaf Manchester and  Cocoa and Bloom. Sam’s Bakehouse is doing cannoli treat boxes, there are cake hampers from All Day Cake, cupcake boxes from Little Moon Bakery and Mother’s Day sweet treat boxes from Sweet Chorlton with cupcakes, mallow pops and cookie sandwiches.

Drinks

If your mum is more of a liquid lunch kinda gal, there is plenty of great drinks and experiences you can get delivered for Mother’s Day.

Wine picks from both Le Social (left) and Isca Wines (right)

Wine

Grape to Grain is hosting one of their regular virtual wine tastings on the day itself with a Mother’s Day / International Women’s Day theme. It’s all about celebrating women as all the wines are from female wine makers and each ticket includes a donation to women’s charities. Wines can be ordered in 100ml tasters, 500ml carafes or full bottles. Link to book is here.

Other brilliant wine shops in Manchester include Le Social in Pollard Yard, Isca in Levenshulme, Salut in the city centre and Reserve in Didsbury.

Gin

Ah the old Mother’s ruin – a great gift for mums and plenty of Manchester distillers to choose from including the new Prestwich Gin, which launched at the end of last year. It’s a small batch gin made in Prestwich with 12 natural botanicals.

Other local distillers include Manchester Gin, Didsbury Gin, Four Sis4ers, Thomas Dakin, Manchester Three Rivers, Worsley Gin and Zymogorium

Gifts

If you’re looking for a gift of the non-edible kind, why not take the opportunity of Mother’s Day to support some small Manchester makers with an order.

A Northern Flower bouquet and a cup from Grace and Greene Clayworks

Ceramics

We love the small-batch ceramics by Grace and Greene Clayworks like beautiful mugs, vases, bowls and plant hangers. You can shop all the products on their website here.

Flowers

Of course, no Mother’s Day guide would be complete without flowers in what must be one of the busiest days of the year for florists. So, if you’re looking to bag yourself a beautiful bunch, it’s time to get those orders in.

Northern Flower are doing special Mother’s Day bouquets, and Frog also has a specific Mother’s Day themed blooms in bouquets, hat boxes and under glass cloches.

There’s also Glass House, Northern Lights Home, Verdure Flowers, Luv Floristry and Olive and Wild.

The best pies in Manchester for British Pie Week

National food days come and go. There seemingly isn’t a food on earth that doesn’t have a day dedicated to it. National Banana Bread day, National Hummus Day, National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day (?!).

But one thing we can’t let pass us by is the opportunity to celebrate the humble British pie. A food so important, it warrants a full week of revelry rather than a measly 24 hours.

British Pie Week starts today (1 March) and runs up until Sunday, and we’ve rounded up some of the best pies from across Greater Manchester for to enjoy this week and beyond. There are traditional pies, curry pies, sweet pies, and lots more in between.

Lord of the Pies

Lord of the Pies

The menu at Lord of the Pies in Chorlton features four pies which have been recognised with awards at the British Pie Awards (how much I would love to be a judge at that). Said accoladed pies are British pork and cider, beef and blue cheese, mixed cheese and onion, and beef and ale with roasted mushrooms.

There’s also meet and potato, pork and black pudding, chicken balti and ‘The Chorlton Pie’ which is filled with a superfood vegan stew with kale, edamame beans and celeriac puree.

Order on Deliveroo here.

Pieminister

If choice is what you’re after, then check out Pieminister‘s 15-strong range of award-winning pies which includes classics like steak and ale and chicken, ham and leek. There are more unconventional fillings too like Indian butter chicken and beef and stilton. Plus, there are six veggie pies (of which three are vegan) including jackfruit ‘steak’ & ale, Saag Pie-Neer, and goats cheese, sweet potato and spinach.

All their classic pies can be served as the ‘mothership’ with creamy mash, minted mushy peas, crispy shallots, cheddar and gravy.

Order through Deliveroo here or Uber Eats here.

Patel’s Pies

Indian inspired pies from Patel’s pies

It’s becoming abundantly clear that pie and curry is an absolutely killer combination. Well, how about a full menu of them?

Patel’s Pies make Indian inspired pies which can be found at Bernie’s Grocery Store in Heaton Moor, Nordie in Levenshulme, Groceries and Beer in Sale and Stretford Foodhall. Fillings include Keema Lamb, Desi Chicken and Aloo Matar (potato and pea).

Visit their Instagram page for more info.

Great North Pie Co

Currently in testing – the mac and cheese pie from Great North Pie Co

MACARONI CHEESE PIE?! A topic that caused great debate in the EATMCR camp this week when we spotted this creation on Great North Pie Co’s twitter. Before you get too excited/outraged, we must stress that it’s only being tested at the moment and is not actually available yet but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled.

On the menu at the moment is Swaledale beef and onion, roast chicken and ham, Lancashire cheese and onion, spinach and cheese, and keema and peas. They are available to order in boxes of four or eight for home deilvery and they can also be collected from their bakery in Wilmslow (Tue-Fri 10am-2pm) or from Altrincham Market from Tuesday to Sunday too.

Order via their website here.

Ate Days a Week

Tandoori Chicken Pie of the Tiger

Stockport restaurant Ate Days a Week serves up a menu of handmade pies, alongside sandwiches, fish and chips, and ‘proper’ meals. They had opened a stall at Hatch for just a day last year before Manchester went back into lockdown, but they’re still doing deliveries from Stockport at the moment.

Their ‘Pie of the Tiger’ menu includes slow braised steak and ale; rosemary lamb, potato & mint; caramelised red onion, cheddar and brie; tandoori chicken pie; and cottage pie. They also do any of their pies ‘Died in your Barm’ with minted mushy peas and proper gravy on a buttered barm.

Order through their website here.

H.M.Pasties

Bolton-based H.M.Pasties

Made by ex-offenders with produce from local prison farms and gardens, Bolton-based H.M.Pasties makes handmade pasties and pies which can be delivered to your door.

Fillings include steak and stout, cheese and onion, aloo saag, jerk chicken, and leek and mushroom. There are also pasties, sausage rolls and a DIY pasties kit.

Order online here: hmpasties.com.

Beehive Food

Pies and scotch eggs from Beehive Food

Beehive Food is a small batch food provider which normally provides food to restaurants and bars around Manchester. They create high end pub food, including a range of handmade pies and scotch eggs. They’ve got pies filled with pork and Bramley apple, goat’s cheese and red pepper, tarka dhal, and a homity pie.

There’s free delivery on orders over £20 and they are delivered every Wednesday if placed by Monday.

Order through their website here.

Idle Hands

Rhubarb and Blood Orange Meringue Pie from Idle Hands

Just in case you thought we were all about savoury pie, this sweet beauty deserves a mention this week – the rhubarb and blood orange meringue pie from Idle Hands. This can be ordered as a whole pie alongside a range of other sweet pies which are available for home delivery.

Other pies include smores pie, salted caramel brownie pie, vegan bakewell pie and banana cream pie.

View the full selection and order via their website here.