Eats

Inside Sexy Fish as Manchester’s swankiest restaurant officially opens its doors

The definition of opulent.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th October 2023

The arrival of Sexy Fish in Manchester must be the most talked-about and eagerly-anticipated launches of the entire year.

This ultra-glamorous restaurant has become a staple with the rich and famous down in London since it opened seven years ago.

And now the high-end Asian restaurant has expanded its reach to Manchester, transforming the former Armani shop at Spinningfields into a glitzy, spacious dining space.

Huge, glittering sea creatures – crafted by none other than Damien Hirst himself – creep out from the walls.

There’s an enormous octopus above one side of the dining room while a gang of swordfish burst out on the other end.

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As you enter the cavernous room you’re welcomed by a life-size blue mermaid, with her smaller sister smiling out from the bar.

A fish tank filled with real fish covers the entire wall of the private dining room.

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Upstairs in the toilets, you’re welcomed by a glowing pink floor and a mermaid mosaic, plus star fish taps and shell sconces.

Inside Sexy Fish Manchester
A Damien Hirst octopus installation
Inside Sexy Fish Manchester
The Sexy Fish Manchester toilets
Sexy Fish Manchester at Spinningfields
Sexy Fish Manchester has taken over the Armani site
The fish tank at Sexy Fish Manchester in the private dining room
The fish tank in the private dining room

Even the plates are shaped like fish, from a shell-like bowl propping up lobster tempura to a fish jug spewing a cloud of dry ice.

Basically, there are a lot of sexy fish in here.

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Sexy Fish’s light-up pink bar is backdropped by a waterfall and waiters whizz around in sea life-patterned waistcoats and blazers.

It’s a fittingly opulent setting for this high-end new opening in Manchester.

Lobster tempura
Lobster tempura at Sexy Fish Manchester
Duck and watermelon salad at Sexy Fish Manchester
Duck and watermelon salad and yellowtail sashimi
Caramelised black cod at Sexy Fish Manchester
Caramelised black cod
Premium sashimi at Sexy Fish
Premium sashimi at Sexy Fish Manchester

On its Omakase set menu offering, the premium menu comes in at a cool £162 per person.

For that, you get dishes including oysters with smoked chilli, crispy duck and watermelon salad, bone marrow and king crab, premium sashimi, and caramelised black cod.

Sexy Fish Manchester opens to the public today, Thursday 12 October.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb

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
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside 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 are a 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. 

Find out more and book a table HERE. 

Read more: This Manchester suburb has just been named one of the UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2024

Featured Image: The Manc Group

Eats

Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Gail's will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village's name wrong

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.

Gail’s put big red temporary signs in the windows of the old bank it’s moving in to – and managed to spell Prestwich wrong.

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 wrong
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrong
Huge bakery chain Gail's confirms move to Prestwich - but spells village's name wrong in signage
Huge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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