There’s always been something incredibly romantic and almost Wes Anderson-like about the idea of dinner on a steam train if you ask us.
Whilst dining cars have all but disappeared from today’s everyday train travel experience, it was once the norm to have a restaurant on board and to be wined and dined on the move.
As late as 1995, there were still 250 trains running daily with onboard cellars stocked with fine wines and menus serving up the likes of fillet steak.
Image: East Lancashire Railway
Unfortunately, the privatisation of the railways wasn’t particularly kind to England’s restaurant cars – and the days of cordon bleu dining on the move have all but disappeared from everyday travel.
But there are still places to go and enjoy the experience – if you know where to look.
Whilst steam train experiences have always been popular with a certain crowd, thanks to the human serotonin that is Tik Tok star Francis Bourgeois it’s safe to say they are now more popular than ever.
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Closest to Manchester you’re looking at taking a trip on the charming East Lancashire Railway, which offers a range of different dining experiences throughout the year.
Image: East Lancashire Railway
This Valentine’s, they’re offering diners a four-course silver service meal – all whilst travelling through the stunning surrounding countryside.
Priced at £69.90 per person or £250 for a table of four, you’ll be treated to four lovingly-prepared courses including chicken ceasar salad with parmesan shavings, fire-roasted tomato and basil soup with fresh chives, and steak sauté with peppers, horseradish mash and a Diane sauce.
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Vegetarians, meanwhile, will be served a tzatziki-dressed falafel and feta salad to start, with a Mediterranean vegetable Wellington as their main.
As for pudding, there’ll be strawberry and Champagne torte with marbled pencils to finish on a high.
Image: East Lancashire Railway
As you dine, you’ll enjoy a beautiful three-hour steam train ride through the Irwell Valley – drinking in twinkling lights from across the rolling countryside outside your window as you go.
As part of the price, you’ll also be treated to a sparkling wine drink as you’re welcomed on board, as well as a choice of tea or coffee alongside dinner chocolate at the end of your meal. What’s not to love?
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The East Lancashire Valentine’s Dinner on a steam train takes place from 7.30pm on 12 February 2022, to book your ticket click here.
Further dining experiences taking place later this year include a St George’s Day dinner on 23 April and an Italian dinner on 17 June.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Georgina Pellant -
28th January 2022 
