The Oast House has already started getting into the Christmas spirit with the return of its famous winter tipi.
Arguably one of the most festive parts of the city centre each year and billed as a “winter escape in the heart of Spinningfields”, the Curious Tipi never fails to be a massive hit – with thousands of Mancunians and visitors to the city taking refuge from the cold and descending upon venue to enjoy a steaming mug of mulled wine and some good hearty grub next to an open fireplace.
And this year will be no exception.
After the much-loved event sadly had to be closed for a big chunk of the festive season last year, “Manchester’s original and most loved” tipi is back, and there’s plenty of exciting things lined up.
Manchester’s original and most loved tipi is back at The Oast House / Credit: Instagram (@theoasthousemcr)
In case you didn’t already know, The Oast House is currently celebrating its 10th birthday, and has been throwing a series of special parties to celebrate this big milestone.
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The venue is throwing 10 parties with the aim of raising £10,000 each for 10 worthy local charities.
The next party on the list is ‘Oastoberfest’ – the pub’s take on Oktoberfest, with Back Chat Brass, lots of bratwurst, and endless tankards of its signature lager, Budvar – which is happening this Friday 15 October, and then the week after that on 21 October, there’ll be a special ‘Hanging Kebabs Showcase’ the week.
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To round off this month’s busy events schedule, there’ll be a party celebrating both old and new Oast House staff members on 29 October.
The Curious Tipi never fails to be a massive hit, with thousands of people descending upon the venue each year / Credit: Instagram (@theoasthousemcr)
Speaking on the events taking place over the next couple of weeks, The Oast House’s Matt Lewty said: “We’re super excited to bring back Manchester’s original – and most loved – Tipi [and] I’m looking forward to seeing old faces from days gone by for The Oast House staff celebration on October 29th.
“If you’ve ever done a shift behind the bar, hung a kebab, greeted guests, played the stage or ran around the floor helping customers, we’d love to see you.”
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Throughout the winter, there will also be a number of Christmassy events taking place – including the iconic cinema nights, wreath making classes, and more.
The Curious Tipi will also be available to hire out for functions and staff Christmas throughout the festive period.
You can find more information about Christmas 2021 at The Oast House here.
Featured Image – The Oast House
Food & Drink
Family behind Salvi’s launch new concept, weeks after iconic restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Just weeks after the closure of its iconic, 16-year-old Italian restaurant in the Corn Exchange, the family behind Salvi’s have revealed a brand-new concept.
And this time, the reins are being handed over to the next generation.
Salvi’s founder Maurizio Cecco has helped to shape Amò, but it’s all the brainchild of his daughter, Sienna.
Sienna will run the business out of a unit up on Deansgate Mews, serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza sandwiches, tubs of tiramisu, and two-for-£10 spritzes.
The deli aspect of the original Salvi’s has been carried over to Amò too – you’ll find shelves almost to the ceiling filled with Italian pasta, wine, olive oils, pistachio spreads, and more.
Sienna has grown up in restaurants, with her parents launching Salvi’s when she was just two years old.
She said she wants the space to be a livelier, fresher version of the Italian restaurant that has been so loved by Mancs for so many years.
Sienna outside AmòFresh pasta dishesInside Amò by Salvi’sTheir viral frozen crema di caffeLemon granitaInside Amò by Salvi’sTiramisu pots
Amò, which is Neapolitan slang for ‘my love’, will have loads of fresh Italian dishes, including arancini, gnocchi, and hearty pasta plates.
At lunchtimes, guests can order from a £10 lunch menu, with dishes changing daily depending on the best produce the kitchen can get – it could be a pizza sandwich with proscuitto and tomato, a spicy pasta, or a gnocchi bake, always served with your choice of soft drink.
With its position on Deansgate Mews, Amò basks in the sunshine at lunchtimes.
And while it’s definitely a different concept to the original Salvi’s, Amò looks set to carry the family’s Italian food legacy into its next generation.
Award-winning Didsbury bakery La Chouquette reveals incredible new site
Daisy Jackson
La Chouquette is one of Greater Manchester’s top bakeries – an award-winner, with queues down the street every weekend for its authentic French pastries and loaves.
And now they’re ready for a new chapter, revealing a major expansion today.
Owners Catrina and Flo have painstakingly expanded the bakery into the unit next door, creating what feels like a true French bakery.
And in the midst of this huge renovation project, they’ve welcomed a tiny new baby boy – quite the summer for the couple.
Catrina and Flo launched La Chouquette in lockdown, and in a time where people could only get their hospitality fix from takeaways, immediately became one of the most popular spots in the region.
Their success has been so great, you’ll still consistently find queues down the street every weekend, for their top sellers like their authentic almond croissants.
Then in October 2024, they grew the business and launched Piqniq, a new deli in Didsbury village, serving freshly-baked baguette sandwiches, breakfast butties, toasties, tiramisu pots and their legendary pastries.
The new-look La Chouquette features beautiful details like mosaic floors, rich blue walls, wooden shelves, and brass light fixtures.
La Chouquette’s best-selling almond croissantsInside the stunning new La Chouquette in DidbsuryNew savoury bakesThe chausson aux pommesThe counter stuffed with artisan French bakesChocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns
The huge new counter displays more pastries and breads than ever before, like a hearty chausson aux pommes filled with apples that will be perfect for autumn, plus seasonal treats like a rhubarb creme brulee pastry, and homemade quiche.
Speaking at the grand relaunch today, Catrina said: “The layout has changed, it looks so much more chic, it looks like a traditional French bakery. We’re really excited about it.”
As for what’s on the counter, Flo reassured fans that their beloved almond and pistachio croissants remain, but with some new savoury editions, like a truffle croque monsieur made with croissant dough.
La Choquette has reopened today, and will be open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm.
Emily Sergeant -
12th October 2021 
