A restaurant in Rochdale has scooped the top prize at the ‘Curry Oscars’ to be named the best curry house in the UK.
The prestigious awards reveal the best of UK Asian cuisine from thousands of nominations, and celebrate the UK’s Curry Industry.
Categories include National Takeaway of the Year, Fine Dine Restaurant of the Year, and Street Food of the Year, as well as awards recognising the best in Korean, Japanese and Sri Lankan cooking.
But this year the big prize – the Champion of Champions Award – went to The Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale.
The Dale Street restaurant is loved for its authentic Indian cooking, and its neon-soaked restaurant space in the heart of the town.
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It’s an extra victory for The Milnrow Balti Restaurant, which last year received the Regional Restaurant of the Year award for the North West of England.
Speaking on the red carpet at the awards ceremony in London, which is nicknamed the ‘Curry Oscars’, a spokesperson for the restaurant said: “This is massive for us.
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“You know, to win an award today, but to win this one over everything else – it just goes to show that hard work and dedication that everyone’s doing, and how much the customers enjoy coming to the Milnrow Balti, it just goes to show the dedication that all the staff put in there. We’re really delighted and over the moon with this one.”
The restaurant has shared a heartfelt message today after receiving the huge award last night, thanking their ‘curry-loving community’ for their ‘unwavering support’.
They wrote: “This award belongs to each and every one of you, our amazing customers. It is a testament to your trust, loyalty, and love for our curry creations.
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The Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale has been named the best curry house in the UK. Credit: FacebookThe Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale has been named the best curry house in the UK. Credit: Facebook
“Your continued patronage and recommendations to family and friends have contributed significantly to our success.”
The Milnrow Balti Restaurant also said: “We are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who consistently strive to bring you the best curry experience you deserve.
“From our talented chefs who skillfully craft each dish with passion, to our attentive staff who ensure your dining experience is exceptional, every member of our team goes above and beyond to make your visit memorable.”
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
Daisy Jackson -
9th October 2023 
