Two of the best spots in Manchester, Hawksmoor and Burgerism, have come together to create a brand new smash patty special sandwiched between two perfect Pollen Bakery bakery buns for one of the best burgers you’ll find anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Trust us, we’ve tried it and it did not disappoint.
Having officially dropped on Monday, 9 October, the Hawksmoor x Burgerism‘Smashed Patty Special’ is one of the hottest new culinary collaborations anywhere in the region, with the two brands combining their respective talents and award-winning expertise on red meat for this limited-time-only burger.
You have a week to eat this thing and we seriously recommend you do.
Credit: The Manc Group
Being served up from the Hawksmoor site in Deansgate, renowned for its luxurious setting on the corner of Spinningfields, the restaurant already showcases the very best dry-aged beef, sustainable seafood and seasonal farm produce from the UK. And things only get better when there’s a burger involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for Salford-based spot, Burgerism — which now boasts five different locations across the UK and serves over 10,000 hungry fans per week with their classic meal being the most-ordered dish in Manchester on Deliveroo — their involvement is as simple: make a delicious but no-nonsense burger.
And that’s exactly what they did.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keeping it real (as they always do), the duo have managed to create an uncomplicated, straight-down-the-middle smashed burger that still feels like ultimate indulgence where every bite is packed with flavour. It costs £16 and they’ve made sure you taste every penny’s worth.
The special is comprised of two grilled beef and bone-marrow smashed patties, cooked over charcoal in traditional Hawksmoor fashion; Dewley red Leicester, Burgerism’s famous recipe burger sauce, gherkins, lettuce, tomato and a Pollen Bakery sesame-seeded brioche bun to top it off. Phwoar.
It’s always hard to sum these things up in just a few lines but the first two things that came out of our mouths after taking a couple of bites were, “It’s basically the best of Burgerism in 4K” and “like a luxury Big Mac on steroids”. The bun itself was cloud-level fluffy too — an added bonus.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you knew the extent of our love for all three of these things, you’d understand the level of praise we’re dishing out here.
Available exclusively until Sunday, 15 October only from the Hawksmoor bar area, you can book in to eat the Hawksmoor x Burgerism x Pollen ‘Smashed Patty Special’ HERE, or you can always try for a walk-in if you’re feeling lucky.
There’s another burger that’s been on our minds lately too and it’s also a limited-edition affair, so you best not mess about:
‘Hidden’ Manchester cocktail bar shuts down after only six months
Daisy Jackson
A cocktail bar in Manchester city centre that opened only last December has reportedly closed down, with its final service today.
Ego Death, a ‘hidden’ speakeasy-style bar in the Northern Quarter, told CLASS magazine that they were told by backers that they would have to close.
It opened under the steer of acclaimed bartender Cressida Lawlor, co-founded by Beau Myers, who also founded the original Almost Famous.
The bar is beneath newcomer smash burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe and accessed through an unmarked door within the takeaway.
Shortly after Super Awesome Deluxe opened, Almost Famous went through a high-profile closure of all of its restaurants this year, later bought out and reopened by D2.
And now just six months after launch, Ego Death looks set to be closing for good.
Cressida told CLASS: “The team here is wildly talented so the goal now is to get them into jobs so they can pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads.
“No one wants Ego Death to die and I think we’ve made enough of a stir in the six months that we’ve been open to find a new site and investment.
“Our last day is going to be Sunday, so anyone who can get here for one final party should come down.”
She later added on Instagram: “Truly gutting but there is always light in any form of darkness. Come see us this Sunday for the final service as we go through a true ego death.”
Ego Death came from the same team behind Socio Rehab (which if you remember it from 2004 was a bit of a local institution) and had a cocktail menu inspired by the speakeasy bars of New York City.
Behind the bar the stars were bourbon and champagne, plus cocktails inspired by the Big Apple – including one named after Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones.
Beau Myers, co-founder at Ego Death said at the time of its opening: “It’s been 20 years since we opened Socio Rehab so it seems pretty poignant to be opening another amazing cocktail bar. We changed the landscape of cocktail bar culture then and that’s something we’re trying to do again.
“We’ve partnered with Cressida Lawlor to make this dream happen. She’s a total firecracker and reminds me a lot of myself 20 years ago, she’s the future of cocktails and bartending and has that maverick spirit.
“Together we’ve created Ego Death, hidden in a basement behind an unmarked door at the back of a burger shop will be this cocktail haven. An underground escape throwing out the best classic cocktails, bourbon, and champagne from top level bartenders.”
This Manchester bar serves a bottomless cheese fondue with endless beer and wine
Georgina Pellant
There’s a bar in Manchester serving a bottomless cheese fondue with endless wine and beer, and it honestly sounds like the perfect treat.
While it might scream cosy winter night in, with a huge outdoor terrace, The Mews is also a firm favourite during the summer months.
Add in a board of melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie, springy pieces of garlic sourdough and a host of crunchy cheese biscuits, and you’ve got yourself the ideal afternoon if you ask us.
But there’s more. Alongside all that cheese and meat and bread, included in the price of The Mews’ bottomless fondue, cheese lovers can also enjoy 90 minutes of non-stop drinks.
Bottomless cheese fondue at The Mews on Deansgate in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Costing £37.50 each, included in the deal is a huge pot of melted Italian Fontina cheese served with homemade garlic croutons, sourdough crackers, and slices of British charcuterie.
You’ll also get to enjoy an hour and a half of endless pints of house pilsner and carafes of red or white wine to enjoy alongside.
Serving up to six people, the bottomless cheese fondue is available only when you pre-book, so make sure to get in touch ahead of your visit to let The Mews know that you’re coming.
If you’re not on the sauce, you can opt for the cheese fondue alone. Without the booze, it’s quite a bit cheaper at £25 for one, and £2.50 on top for any additional people who want to get stuck in.
Housed up on Deansgate Mews, just behind the main hustle and bustle of Deansgate, there’s plenty of space inside as well as a large, secluded terrace that is quite the suntrap (when the Manchester sun is shining).
Danny Jones -
9th October 2023 
