We didn’t think it could get any better, but Manchester’s favourite slab shack has outdone itself again.
Fans of Lazy Tony’s cheesy creations are now in for an even bigger threat, as it’s been revealed that it’s launched a new sides menu dedicated entirely to macaroni cheese, with four different options to choose from.
Now based for sit-down dining inside Foundation Cofee House NQ, as well as for collection at its original Radium Street home, Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria is fast becoming one of Manchester’s biggest lockdown success stories.
Credit: Lazy Tony’s / The Manc Group
Already beloved for its epic five-layer lasagnas, the team has now gone and launched a new macaroni and cheese sides menu that sees one of our favourite Italian comfort foods loaded with bacon frazzle dust, pesto, chicken fingers and more.
Lazy Tony’s mozzarella dippers have also become an iconic side in their own right, made using massive hunks of quality Italian brick mozzarella – but now you can also indulge in steaming bowls of macaroni encased in some naughty-sounding three and four-cheese blends.
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Credit: Lazy Tony’s / The Manc Group
Think classic elbow macaroni encased in a sauce combining cheddar, parmesan and gruyère, topped with frazzles dust and Italian herbs, then tell us your stomach isn’t rumbling.
Lazy Tony’s has also created a chicken version, loading the classic mac and cheese with breaded chicken fingers, spicy chilli marinara and garlic sauce; and a vegetarian-friendly pesto dish that tops the classic blend with sweet and fragrant homemade basil pesto.
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For us, though, the four-cheese blend with added DOP taleggio has to be the most indulgent mac and cheese side on the list. This iconic semi-soft Italian cheese, with its mild and unusually fruity tang, adds another layer of satisfaction to an already drool-worthy menu.
The five-layer Mancunian lasagne kitchen had Ancoats foodies queuing down a back street for months, before moving into the kitchen at Foundation on Lever Street.
Open in the Northern Quarter from Wednesday to Sunday between 5-10 pm, walk-ins are always welcome, but you can also book a table ahead of time by emailing [email protected].
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Featured Image – Lazy Tony’s / The Manc Group
Eats
All Brewers Fayre and Beefeater locations across the UK are closing down
Danny Jones
It looks to be the end for not one but two of Britain’s best-known and long-running restaurant franchises, as Brewers Fayre and Beefeaters will be closing down all of their locations.
Dating back to the mid-1970s, there will soon be none left anywhere in the country
The pair of recognisable chains, owned by parent company Whitbread PLC – who also own Premier Inn, hence why they usually come as a joint package – have nearly 200 sites across the UK, but they are already in the process of a wholesale shutdown.
News of the impending closures first began circulating back in April, but now the process is said to be fully underway, with multiple Greater Manchester names on the chopping block.
A real shame all brewers fayres are closing down. As a member they’ve sent me a last free main. So enjoying a mixed grill pic.twitter.com/EIHMZ7LCvv
— Daniel Turner⚽️ 🏟️ 1️⃣1️⃣5️⃣8️⃣ (@puffpuff65) August 4, 2026
With roughly 3,800 staff set to be made unemployed as part of the major restructuring by Whitbread, the job cuts will see approximately 12% of their workforce laid off from a total of around 30,000.
One local duo due to face the music is the soon-to-close Stable Gate in Denton and Wheatlea Park in Wigan – both of which are Brewers Fayre branches.
89 of the brand’s boozers have been given until early September (some dates may vary) to shut up shop and hold not just their last orders, but their final dinner service full stop.
The rest of the venues closing next month are Beefeater pubs, including the Heaton Park one in Crumpsall, The Quay House at Salford Quays, and the Whitgate Inn over Oldham way.
As for others nearby, Macclesfield’s Springwood Park is also set to close.
The older of the two British mainstays is Beefeater, which was founded by Whitbread back in 1974 when they opened their first pub, The Halfway House, down in Enfield.
Brewers debuted up North in ’79, with a maiden watering hole called The Farmers Arms in Preston, before going on to open several locations around Lancashire and eventually nationwide.
Most of you will likely have visited or at the very least passed one of those food and drink spots in your time, and while they may be more associated with hotels and service stations these days, they still served as regular haunts for plenty of people who will no doubt be gutted to see them go.
Speaking of services, another big name is expanding further into the North West.
Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying
Daisy Jackson
Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.
The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.
It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.
And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.
The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.
In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.
They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.
“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.
“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.
“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.
“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.
“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th October 2021 
