A new Vietnamese-style restaurant is due to open in the former Blackhouse Grill site later this autumn.
Called Namii Kitchen & Cocktails, it will take over the space in Manchester city centre this autumn – opening just behind Piccadilly Gardens bus station on New York Street.
Now Namii is moving in, bringing the building back to life after over a year of it sitting empty.
Featuring authentic pan Asian cuisine with a heavy Vietnamese influence, the new Manchester restaurant will serve traditional favourites such as Vietnam’s national dish, Pho, Bahn Mi and summer rolls.
ADVERTISEMENT
Opening for breakfast and brunch from 10am daily, its mid-morning offering will also include Asian twists on brunch classics like an Eggs Royale with a honeyed miso dressing.
Namii Kitchen & Cocktails features authentic pan Asian cuisine with a heavy Vietnamese influence / Credit: Namii
On the drinks side of things, Namii is promising to deliver an innovative cocktail menu inspired by Vietnamese mythology and folklore.
ADVERTISEMENT
One drink called The Horse of Iron combines Roku gin, ginkgo kernel and wasabi syrup – drawing on an ancient legend that tells of a horse belonging to Saint Giong that spit fire from its mouth to defeat invaders, then flew away into the sky.
The restaurant and bar will also offer an extensive wine and sake selection alongside its signature cocktail menu, as well as teaming up for monthly residencies with respected spirit and wine brands.
Namii Kitchen & Cocktails will host four ticketed events each month as part of the residencies from sensory tastings to tasting menus with paired drinks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Entertainment-wise, guests can look forward to a variety of live music and DJ’s every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the holiday period, as well as a planned scotch whisky event that is due to take place in January.
The venue has been working to eliminate packaging waste and overall reduce its carbon footprint, collaborating with brands including ecoSPIRITS to ensure that sustainability is at the core of its drinks menu.
The restaurant has revealed its opening date on social media as Saturday, 6 November 2021 / Credit: Namii
Owner and Managing Director Terence Lee, said of the opening: “We can’t wait to open our doors in Manchester.
“The city has established itself as one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations over the past decade and we’re thrilled to be able to add to the line-up.”
Sales and Marketing Manager John Clossick added: “Namii Kitchen & Cocktails is a new, bold concept, blending authentic Vietnamese food, flavours and technique with modern service, style and setting.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Food is the centre of so many social occasions, and we want the restaurant to be somewhere friends can get together and catch up over a great dining experience.”
The restaurant has revealed its opening date on social media as Satuday, 6 November 2021 – announcing that bookings are open now.
To keep up with news about Namii ahead of its opening, you can follow the restaurant on Instagram here or email the team directly.
Featured Image – Namii
News
Floral tributes and minute’s silence confirmed to mark eighth anniversary of Manchester Arena attack
Emily Sergeant
Manchester City Council has announced its plans to mark the eighth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
This Thursday 22 May 2025, it will be exactly eight years since a terror attack saw 22 people tragically lose their lives, and left thousands more injured and affected, during a bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena back in 2017.
Every year, the city of Manchester comes together and joins the rest of the world in marking the day and remembering those who went to a concert and never returned home.
As has been the case for the past few years since it opened to the public, the focal point for this year’s personal remembrance and reflection will be the permanent Glade of Light memorial, near Manchester Cathedral.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Carmine Grimshaw, Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and Council Chief Executive, Tom Stannard, will each lay floral tributes at the memorial on behalf of the people of the city in memory of those who lost their lives.
The names of those who sadly died will also be read out on 22 May during services at Manchester Cathedral – firstly at 9am (Morning Prayers), then at 1:10pm (Holy Communion), and finally at 5:30pm (Choral Evensong).
The Cathedral will also be open throughout the day for those who wish to light a candle or pray.
Two one-minute silences will take place at Manchester Victoria station during the day too – one at 12 noon, and then one at and 10:31pm, which is the exact anniversary of the attack.
Floral tributes and minute’s silence will mark the eighth anniversary of Manchester Arena attack / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
Cllr Bev Craig called the Arena attack ‘one of the darkest days in Manchester’s history’.
“But its aftermath also showed the city’s remarkable solidarity and Mancunians’ refusal to give in to those who would seek to divide us,” she added.
“We will never forget those who were lost that day, their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone who was affected. We remember them throughout the year but each anniversary is especially poignant.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Gary Lineker set to leave BBC this week following more controversy
Danny Jones
Former footballer and veteran presenter Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC earlier than expected following further political controversies and social media backlash.
Lineker has been butting heads with the presenter for a couple of years now, being suspended by the national corporation back in March 2023 for his comments about language used by the Conservative government, and has continued to take issue with certain aspects of their news coverage.
He has since gone on to share a further video expressing his regret over what he called an “honest mistake”, as well as confirming that he will be making a premature exit from the BBC.
As you can see in the clip above, he says: “I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused,” insisting that he didn’t see the emoji in question
Lineker is now expected to leave following his final Match of the Day programme this weekend after having already confirmed he would be leaving the role after 26 years at the end of the season.
The ex-English footballer was set to present the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, but given the latest furore, he will be stepping away ahead of schedule.
Having gradually wound down his work with networks like TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) and the BBC in recent years, he has been slowly shifting his focus to his own Goalhanger Podcasts company, which includes several popular audio formats under The Rest Is… brand, including his own flagship The Rest Is Football show.
He goes on to add that he’s “stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all my life.” Since the most recent Israel-Palestine conflicts began, he’s been particularly outspoken on the events. One recent interview with the BBC itself sparked plenty of discussion online.
Gary Lineker, "What's going on there (Gaza), the mass murder of thousands of children is something we should have an opinion on"
Amol Rajan, "The BBC needs to be impartial about it"
Lineker reiterated that he would never “knowingly share anything antisemitic” and removed the problematic post as soon as he was made aware.
Nevertheless, the BBC and director general Tim Davie have been facing pressure to address the situation ever since it happened, with many calling for the household name to be sacked.
It seems the ex-Everton, Leicester, Spurs and Barcelona player has made the decision for them.
As he goes on to conclude, despite expressing gratitude regarding his relationship with the BBC, he feels the “time is right […’ to go our separate ways.”
Georgina Pellant -
25th October 2021 
