When the chef team behind Unagi first unveiled their Trafford food truck Lil Kimchi back in early 2020 they had no idea of the success that was coming their way.
Originally, their plan had been to focus entirely on katsu – a Japanese dish of fried chicken made with panko bread crumbs, generally served with a light and fragrant Java curry sauce. Keep things simple, one dish, one trailer, sounds easy enough right? Maybe too easy.
Within the space of a week, the country had gone all topsy-turvy. Restaurants were being forced to close, kitchens were giving away food and staff were being paid to stay at home, whilst food trucks and takeaways had seemingly never been more in demand.
Staring into the face of adversity, Unagi triumphed – and soon found that the demand for their food was high enough to start opening other sites.
Soon came permanent sites in Altrincham, Didsbury and Wilmslow, followed by a branch in Media City. Then, last year, the team opened up a fifth spot in Cheetham Hill: assuaging those city centre folk who had, up until now at least, been feeling a little left out.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Serving up a host of on-the-go street snacks like crispy fried squid and best-selling bang bang chicken wings alongside a huge selection of sushi, on the menu here you’ll find heavy-hitting sushi rolls like their truffled avocado Spider, and the Mushu special made with seared salmon and black tobiko.
All fish is delivered fresh every morning and broken down on site by their expert sushi chefs, who ensure that nothing goes to waste. The very finest pieces are used in their quality sashimi, while others are used in sushi rolls and hot dishes like Unagi’s sweet and sticky salmon teppanyaki.
Salmon teppanyaki over steamed rice at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Chicken katsu at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Highlights include the ‘chef’s choice’ omakase platters, an ornate assembly of the freshest sushi rolls that day – typically a mixture of nigiri, sashimi, hosomaki and urumaki rolls.
Elsewhere on the Unagi menu, you’ll find street-style Japanese tuna tacos with mango and avocado salsa, deep-fried pumpkin and prawns, kimchi, edamame and a kaiso salad with seaweed and goma sauce.
Salt and pepper squid at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Bang Bang chicken wings are a bestseller at Unagi. / Image; The Manc Eats
After being possibly the busiest Manchester takeaway during a lockdown and even recruiting their own driver team, Unagi has just gone exclusive on Deliveroo so you know we had to get down for an episode of Takeaway Champions.
We even managed to score a discount code for you to get £5 off when your order from Unagi with Deliveroo.
To see the full menu click here and to find out more about Unagi head over to their Instagram page here. Oh, and to save on your next Deliveroo order make sure to use our code 5OFFUNAGI when you check out.
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 -
9th March 2023 
