Main Story
Manchester now boasts some of the best delicatessens in the UK. Some just concentrate on the retail side of things but many also offer the chance to unwind and relax with seriously fresh, impeccably sourced food. One of the longest-established deli-cafes in the city is south Manchester's Barbakan (pictured on home page), on the border between Chorlton and Whalley Range. Named after the historic city of Krakow, and catering originally for Manches ...more
Restaurant Review
Manchester’s love affair with Asian food continues unabated but the days when only cheap and cheerful curry houses sated the appetites of spice fans a ...more
The Gastrotourist
Some meals are worth a special journey. In The Gastrotourist we profile select destination restaurants from across the UK and beyond. This month:
Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach
The Rant
Hear this, chefs and restaurateurs -- when it comes to choice on an evening menu, less is more. A two-page catalogue signifies your carefully exercised restraint, a focus on your strengths and suggests you’re paying due care and attention to each dish. ...more
Quick Bites
Stars and Stripes Weekend, July 3rd, 4th and 5th at Corbans Gallery . . .Click here for a list of upcoming events at The Hanging Ditch . . .Sapporo Teppanyaki has launched a 10% off food offer for all Student Graduates. . .Aiden Byrne is doing a cookery demo for the Lymm festival Tue Jun 30 featuring his Broad bean soup and Trout recipes from the Great British Menu. Just 10 spaces left for the 5.30pm demo. Contact the The Church Green for details. . . Sweet Mandarin in the Northern Quarter will be holding a James Bond in Shanghai night on the 1st of July. . . Upcoming events at Harpers Tapas include; An Evening of Swing with Alan Burton (July 3rd, July 17th), An Evening of Swing with Johnny Rich (July 31st). . .Ostara in Chorlton will be opening on the 19th June. . .The Heathcotes wine club starts next month in three locations & will cover a different topic each time, including the origins of particular varieties, wine matching, whilst also dispelling some of the common myths about wine. 16th July – Grado, Manchester. 23rd July – Simply Heathcotes, Liverpool. 30th July – The Grill Room at the Olive Press, Preston. . .New Ala Carte menu available at Hei Hei in Ashton Under Lyne. . .That Café in Levenshulme has reopened after a major refurbishment and have replaced all the old tables with locally crafted solid oak giving the restaurant a new less formal ambience. . . Standard Indian Restaurant in Urmston will be hosting a Tom Jones tribute night on the 23rd June. £20 per person including a 4 courses meal. . .Leo's Restaurant in Chorlton will be open from 12 O'Clock on Fathers Day, bookings now being taken. . . Bolton is set to provide the backdrop for Slumdog Millionaire star Mahesh Manjrekar’s next production. Mahesh was persuaded by local restaurateurs Subhash and Geeta Kotecha from Spice Valley that Bolton was the best place for his latest film. . .Showcase of monthly themed events at Manchester’s Zouk Tea Bar & Grill -- Jacksons Night (July 1), Slumdog Millionaire Charity Event (July 30), Frank Sinatra Night (September 2), Eid Ladies Night (September 23). . .Upcoming events at Harpers in Manchester include, 'An Evening with the Rat Pack' on 12th June and "Evening of Swing" 19th June. . .Forthcoming Events at The Waggon at Birtle include Lobster, Champagne and Strawberries (July 16th, 23rd and 30th), Spanish Wines and Tapas Evening (August 27th) and Game Evening (October 22nd). . .Champion of real chocolate Chocolate Cafe in Ramsbottom has opened a new branch on Deansgate in Manchester. . .Wine tasting evenings at Fat Loaf in Ashton on Mersey on the Last Wednesday of every month with Manchester sommelier George Bergier matching wines to the 4 course menu for £35 per person. . .London Road Restaurant in Alderley Edge are hosting an exclusive Royal Ascot Lunch on 19th June with champagne, canapés and lunch in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice with live Coverage of the racing all day and tote facilities available for just £30 per person. For reservations call Judy on 01625 583 453 or email judy@francishouse.org.uk. . .Wine night at Fat Loaf Didsbury Green on 7th July with Canapés and a 4 course meal with matching wines for just £35 per person. . .Gift vouchers available at Sweet Mandarin in Manchester with a selection of unique gift ideas including cooking classes, intimate dinners, books and wine cases. . .Ego Restaurants are celebrating their 10th birthday. . .New A La Carte & Takeaway menus now available at Sweet Mandarin in Manchester. . .It's Bouzouki Night at Rozafa Taverna in Stockport on the last Sunday of the month with live Greek music and a 4 course Meze banquet for just £23 per person. . .Stunning new sun terrace now open at Ambiente in Worsley. . .New Brasilian restaurant & bar Bem Brasil has opened on Deansgate. . .New opening times at Ithaca in Manchester are Sunday to Thursday 6pm-1am and Friday & Saturday 12 noon–1am. . .Abode Sous Chef, Adam Smith has reached the final of North West Young Chef of the Year 2009. . .Jason Harding at The Lowry Hotel wins "Best General Manager" at The Northern Hospitality Awards. . .Spicy Hut has become the first restaurant in Rusholme to receive the Gold Award for Manchester’s Environmental Business Pledge. . .The first UK restaurant to take bookings through social networking site Twitter Sweet Mandarin has now launched Dine4Jobs, networking evenings to teach interview techniques, cv writing and match Manchester people with jobs over Dim Sum. To attend the next event contact Lisa Tse at the restaurant or on Twitter! . .New Spring menu launched at London Road Restaurant in Alderley Edge. . .Upcoming events at Croma in Chorlton include, Ascot Ladies day on 18th June with bubbly on arrival and lunch before the racing on large screens followed by the swinging sound of Cole Page. . .Ambiente in Worsley is now open from 12pm on Sundays. . .New A La Carte menu launches mid March at the Fat Loaf restaurants. . .New menu & wine list from March at English Lounge and new free loyalty card with discounts off all food & drink. . .Alderley Restaurant at the Alderley Edge Hotel has undergone a £200,000 refurbishment. . .Casa Tapas in Didsbury will be open as usual during a major revamp and have opened a second venue in Knutsford. . .4 Manchester restaurants are celebrating wins at this years Hi-Life Dining Awards Sam's Chop House took the Best Overall Restaurant award with Room taking Best Manchester Restaurant, Wagamama Printworks Best Atmosphere and Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant Best Platinum Restaurant click here for full details. . .Brasserie Blanc in Manchester has closed. . .New Cafe Bar Menu now available at That Cafe in Levenshulme. . .Now booking, cookery courses every Saturday 10am-1pm at Sweet Mandarin £75 per person includes lesson, ingredients, recipe sheets and lunch, gift vouchers also available. . .You can now keep up to date with all the latest news from sugarvine by becoming a fan on Facebook. . .Mr Thomas's Chop House on Cross St is now open for traditional roast dinner and Chop House favourites all day Sunday 12pm to 9pm. . .Jazz night with Jon Thorne & Friends every Thursday at Chaophraya with Tapas menu and drinks offers on the night