A curry house in Manchester is going all out to celebrate the Class of 2023 with free glasses of prosecco, special desserts, and an all-out Indian feast.
Tucked just behind Oxford Road close to the Manchester Metropolitan University campus, Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is getting ready to welcome new graduates for a celebration as caps and gowns flood the city this month.
The popular eatery – known for its delicious curries, whole stuffed lamb legs, freshly baked naans, cocktails, and epic sharing roast platters with spicy gravy – will be pulling out all the stops for new graduates and their families this July.
Kicking things off from the first of the month, Zouk will be handing out complimentary glasses of prosecco to diners sampling its special Graduation set menu.
Starting things off with a glass of fizz to toast your success, the restaurant has also created a special chocolate Graduation cap dessert comprised of a creamy chocolate fondant adorned with rich dark chocolate, decorated with a rainbow belt sweet and a Smartie button.
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Elsewhere, those celebrating can dig into special Graduation sharing platters loaded with Chicken Tikka, Lamb Chops, Tandoori King Prawns, Seekh Kebab, Mango Salad and Katchumber Salad. Served as part of a set menu priced at £28 per person, for this diners can also enjoy a complimentary welcome drink alongside bhajis, popadoms and pickles.
For those really wanting to push the boat out, there is also a £40 lobster Graduation sharing platter piled high with fruits of the sea. Zouk’s Lobster Thermador takes center stage here, surrounded by Spicy Salmon Pakoras, Dynamite Shrimp, Crispy Calamari, Mango Salad and Katchumber Salad.
Accompanied by Basmati Rice, Pilau Rice and assorted fresh naans made in Zouk’s open kitchen, both options offer a stylish way for graduates to toast a new chapter.
Speaking on the special Graduation offer the restaurant has put together this month, owner Tayub Amjad said: “We love graduation time at Zouk! All that hard work, all those evenings of study, the missed nights out and the blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off.
“I remember myself that feeling when the results are in, and you are finally free to venture out and celebrate with family and friends. We love being a part of that celebration.”
Popular children’s TV star to make special visit to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this weekend
Emily Sergeant
You can take your little Mancs down to meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, May is currently ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month down at Manchester‘s iconic Science and Industry Museum, and there’s a whole host of themed interactive and educational activities lined up ready for schools across Greater Manchester to be out for half term – with something for everyone of all ages to get stuck into.
Anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations are just some of the things on the “gloriously gross” schedule.
But, of course, one of the highlights of ‘Brilliant Bodies’ month has to be the world-first exhibition Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You at the heart of it all – which is based off the popular children’s BBC show of the same name.
Popular children’s TV star to make special visit to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
The family-friendly exhibition – which is coming to a close after a massively-successful run in our city on Sunday 9 June – gives visitors the chance understand more about the inner workings of their own bodies, and the important role science plays in supporting our digestive health.
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the exhibition yet, and are keen to do so before it bids its final farewell, then this bank holiday weekend couldn’t be a more ideal time, as one of the stars of the Operation Ouch!TV show, Dr Ronx, is making a special visit to the museum on Saturday.
And this is your chance to meet them.
Anyone who books tickets to visit Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You between 11:30am-1pm, and 3pm-4pm, on Saturday 25 May, will not only have the chance to explore the role of each organ in the digestive system during a “rib-tickling adventure”, but will also get the opportunity to grab a selfie with Dr Ronx from inside the exhibition.
Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by videos and illustrations of Operation Ouch! hosts, Dr Chris, Dr Xand, and Dr Ronx, all before getting to meet Dr Ronx themself.
Dr Ronx will also be hosting three Q&A sessions throughout the day too, and you can see them take to the stage at 10:30am, 2:10pm, and 4:30pm.
Tickets to visit the museum and exhibition on Saturday 25 May are now available to book.
Free standard museum entry tickets will give you access to the Q&As with Dr Ronx, but an exhibition ticket must be purchased for specific times for the photo opportunity, and these are limited, so booking as soon as possible is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Sora – Manchester’s newest rooftop restaurant offers an Oriental adventure with its afternoon tea
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s newest restaurant openings has been receiving plenty of attention thanks to its rooftop views right across the city centre skyline.
But even without the incredible setting, the food at Sora is deserving of attention too.
This beautiful restaurant has a pan-Asian menu of small plates and robatayaki (a Japanese barbecue) dishes, as well as an afternoon tea that’s a little more interesting than your average.
Sora’s afternoon tea experience promises a ‘sensory journey to the orient’ through perfect bites of sushi, savoury dishes, and sweet treats.
For just £35 per person, you’re treated to a tower of delicacies, with a free cocktail added in for readers of The Manc (claim yours at the bottom of this article).
The afternoon tea’s savouries feature tempura prawns with sweet chilli sauce, a cucumber sesame salad, chicken yakitori with tamarind and peanut, and pork belly with burnt apple puree.
Then there are a couple of beautiful sushi dishes – a spicy tuna gunkan and classic California rolls.
The views from Sora in Malmaison in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedThe Manc readers can get a free cocktail when booking afternoon tea at Sora. Credit: The Manc Group
The sweet treats go way beyond your usual scones and Victoria sponges too, infusing exciting flavours from across Asia in this twist on a British tradition.
There’s a blueberry bergamot roll, a matcha chocolate slice, a mango coconut dome, and dinky miso caramel chocolate tarts.
Oh, there are still scones too – these ones are matcha flavoured, with a kumquat compote and clotted cream.
Even the crockery is amazing – the afternoon treats are served on a tower of plates arranged around a ceramic golden stork.
There’s a massive list of cocktails to choose from at Sora, from cherry blossom negronis to passion fruit mai tais.