Tarts, Texas and turtles all feature in this week's round-up
We're all awaiting news of what next week holds but in the meantime, we bring news of wonderful things that are happening in Greater Manchester's eating and drinking world.
As the curfew chaos continues, smart cookies are turning back the clock, opening earlier and introducing brunch menus to keep our socially distant and hyper-hygienic hospitality alive. There's also more awards being won, beer being brewed and Portuguese tarts for the win.
Spice by Nico
Six By Nico has announced its new six-course tasting menu will be Bombay Kitchen. Inspired by the flavours of Mumbai, diners can expect Nico’s usual creative take on traditional Indian dishes. The menu includes spiced lamb boti with crisp potato, cucumber & naan, roasted cod with a spiced onion broth, bhaji & curry leaf, and a mango lassi inspired dessert. The menu is priced at £29 per person with the option of a wine pairing for an additional £26pp. As ever, there is a vegetarian alternative available for every course, as well as Parsi café inspired snack sides. Bombay Kitchen is available from Monday 19th October - Sunday 29th November 2020, bookings are open now.
Tarts only
Joining the ranks at the Arndale’s disarmingly excellent food market, is a stall dedicated entirely to those ridiculously good, cinnamon dusted Portuguese custard tarts: pasteis de nata. Moving into the spot vacated by Suppa, Just Nata come from the folks behind the much loved brunch spot Federal Café Bar. Just Nata is open from 10am-5pm but be quick, it closes once the tarts are gone which is sometimes much earlier than 5.
Food, well cheap
Those generous folks at Foodwell have extended their EOTHO offer so customers can get 50% off throughout October. The offer is valid all day Weds-Fri and can be used on any menu. So whether you fancy a platter of sushi, a ‘dirty’ wagyu burger or a whole load of small plates from Korean cauliflower wings to lobster mac n cheese, you can have it at half price. If you like, you can always book a yoga class beforehand to bring a bit of balance to things. Check out more fantastic dining deals for October here.
Oh Carolina
The latest creation from Honest Burgers is the Carolina, a spicy burger with a Southern American accent. Honest fans may remember that they used Bull’s-Eye's smoky and sweet BBQ sauce in a Texas special in 2019. The hot sauce brand has since added three new sauces to its range, all made with hand-picked chilies. The Louisiana Chipotle sauce brings fruity smokiness to a sharp, crunchy pickleback slaw while the black garlic Carolina Reaper is folded into mayo to turn the heat down a couple of notches while letting that pepper note sing out. The Carolina features honest beef, candied bacon, double American cheese, shoestring fries, pickleback slaw and Bulls Eye Carolina Reaper black garlic mayo with homemade rosemary chips. Available to dine in or click and collect.
Can-nabis
Northern brewers, Cannabrew have launched a Northern Soul inspired lager with 12mg of full spectrum and organic CBD per can. The Soul lager is available to purchase from Cannabrew’s website priced at £2.60. They say it’s ‘clean and crisp with citrus and vanilla hop flavours and a traditional malt base’. Cannabis and Hops were the same plant millions of years ago, before evolving into separate species. The jagged-edges leaves and distinctive scent of both give you a clue to their relationship. Elliot Horner, owner and master brewer of Cannabrew, says, “We are buzzing to finally have a CBD lager that we are happy with. Since last year, we have been brewing with CBD oil, combining traditional and successful Northern brewing methods with a modernised outlook.” The brewers also plant two trees for every case of beer sold, with the aim of planting one million trees to contribute to the fight against deforestation and climate change.
Vod an accolade
The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, home to Manchester Gin, has secured the prestigious Vodka Master upon the release of their first vodka, Manchester Spirit. The botanical grain vodka has wowed judges at the Spirits Masters and received the highest award, even outperforming long-established premium brands. The vodka promises wafts of bergamot, Earl Grey tea and a hint of caramel the nose, unpinned by citrus. On the palate, warming orange is backed up by creamy almond and candied lemon. Determined tasters might also find subtle notes of sweet white pear and yuzu. Manchester Gin founders, Jen Wiggins and Seb Heeley - who started-out distilling in their dining room, wanted to create their own vodka for use in bar and restaurant Three Little Words. They’re thrilled to win this award which can sit alongside the many others on their shelves. Manchester Spirit Vodka is available from Hammonds of Knutsford, C&O Wines and direct from the Manchester Gin website.
Baywatch
Turtle Bay has launched a Caribbean breakfast menu, now serving from 8:30am at their Oxford Road site - dishes are two-for-one till 11am. Turtle Bay’s Bottomless Brunch is on offer from 10am–3pm daily. For £27pp you can get brunch, burger or rotis with unlimited cocktails, mocktails, prosecco, craft lager or Red Stripe for two hours. Expect Island brunch dishes like avocado smash with grilled roti, roasted tomato, chilli & chives topped with poached eggs, mushroom, jerk sausage or jerk bacon, or how about a curry goat hash with pink onion & two fried eggs? If you’re more plant(ain) based, there’s the Big Vegan Grill Down (veggie breakfast), or the Vegan Yardbird - a fresh roti stacked with chicken-style vegan patty, smashed avocado, rich maple syrup, hot sauce & watermelon. Oh and happy hour now runs all day until 8pm.
New Tattu
Tattu has launched its winter a la carte menu. Developed in partnership with executive chef Andrew Lassetter, the menu is inspired by the Chinese waterfall legend which tells a story of overcoming adversity and showing resilience and strength. New small plates include Szechuan rock shrimp with carrot, sancho pepper and pickle, tuna sashimi wonton cup with sesame soy and avocado, and shredded lamb buns with chilli oyster sauce and sticky dates. New large plates include a vegan OK glazed tempeh with padron peppers, cape gooseberry and grapes, and green pepper lobster with smoked sea salt, jalapeños and crispy shallots. New desserts include Tang Yuan doughnuts with black sesame, raspberry and ginger. Tattu is also continuing to offer its Tattu to You service, with food and cocktails available for home delivery.
Buttered trumpets
Albert’s ‘Musik Hall’ (above Schloss) is hosting a Bottomless Bavarian Brunch this Saturday, 10th October. The first of its kind brunch event will be hosted in the Grade II listed Wesleyan Chapel with live music from Twisted Tubes - a brass band blasting timeless chart hits. So you can enjoy a bit of sax and trumpet with your coffee and crumpets. Only, they don’t do crumpets, but they do, arguably, do the best breakfast in town. Guests will also be treated to bottomless prosecco, Espresso Martinis, Pornstar Martinis, Manchester Rein and endless pizza. It’s £29.50 a ticket, get yours here.
