When it comes to your other half popping ‘the question’, many people fantasise about how exactly their own proposal might take place.
A romantic holiday, a meal out at a swanky restaurant, or a big surprise in front of family and friends – these are the kind of movie-worthy scenes we’ve come to expect, thanks, in large part, to Hollywood directors.
But one Manchester man has had a different idea, instead asking his favourite pizzeria to help him ask his girlfriend to marry him by inscribing a romantic message inside a takeaway box.
The request came through, independent Northern Quarter pizzeria Noi Quattro revealed, on an order ticket from the takeaway delivery app UberEats.
Image; Noi Quattro
Image; Noi Quattro
Opting for a single Pomodorino and Bufala pizza with classic dough and a Focaccia All’aglio, in the customer notes section the hopeful boyfriend added: “Can you please write <<Will you marry me>> in the Bufala pizza box? I’m proposing to her today.”
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More than happy to help play their part in the couple’s love story, the restaurant obliged – writing the message on the inside of the box in large block capital letters.
Later sharing a picture of the receipt and pizza box itself to social media, the restaurant asked followers in the caption: “Well, how can you say no ?”
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Image; Noi Quattro
Image; Noi Quattro
Since being shared on Wednesday night, the post has been liked over 400 times with followers quick to praise the restaurant and the man in question for such an ingenious proposal.
One person wrote: “a proposta perfetta non esis..” (meaning ‘the perfect proposal doesn’t exist…’)
A third simply wrote: “Inspo” before tagging what appears to be her boyfriend in the comments.
Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is this: did she say yes? Naturally, we asked, and as of yet the restaurant does not know – simply saying “we’re waiting for a sign”.
Watch this space.
Feature image – Noi Quattro
Food & Drink
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Georgina Pellant -
20th October 2022 
