A former Grade II-listed banking hall in the heart of Manchester is to be transformed into a steak and seafood restaurant The Cut & Craft.
Already an established name in York and Leeds, the all-day dining spot will open this year on the corner of Mosley Street and York Street.
The huge venue will be serving premium locally-reared steaks, as well as a menu of expertly delivered seafood specials and meat butchered in-house.
The Cut & Craft is currently taking shape inside the former Manchester and Salford bank, one of the city’s finest examples of Victorian architecture, which dates back to 1862 and is now known as Bond by Bruntwood SciTech.
The restoration of the former banking hall includes transforming the former subterranean vaults into private dining and entertainment spaces, including a state of the art ladies room, ‘gossip room’ and sommelier lounge.
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The building itself is a stunning example of a palazzo-style building, having been originally designed by famed Mancunian architect Edward Walters, who was famed for his adopted Italian style.
The Cut & Craft will proudly show off some of the space’s original features, from the cornicing on its double height ceiling to its floor-to-ceiling windows.
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As for the food, the restaurant will focus on quality steak and affordable seafood, served from lunch through to the evening.
The grand former banking hall that will soon be home to The Cut & Craft. Credit: SuppliedThe grand former banking hall that will soon be home to The Cut & Craft. Credit: Supplied
Dishes will include freshly-shucked oysters, Exmoor caviar and hand-cut beef tartare with breaded yolk and sesame croutons, plus grilled monkfish, king scallops, fish and chips, grilled lamb cutlets and a signature 10 oz flat iron steak, which is butchered by an expert team in house.
In a LinkedIn statement, Oscar Akgul, co-founder at Lucia and The Cut & Craft said: “Manchester is soon to have The Cut & Craft and in all honesty we simply cannot wait.
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“Our new venue is located on Mosley Street inside the iconic Grade II * building. Filled with history and its original features including vaults, soon to host private dining, combined with state of the art ladies room, ‘gossip room’ and sommelier lounge.
“Our new restaurant will be filled with elegant yet timeless style settings giving you the ultimate luxury at accessible prices.
“Working closely with the local authorities to bring back this rare building to its glorious days. Once this is completed, I believe we’ll make Manchester proud, as well as all the people who’ve worked on this amazing restoration project.
Steak and seafood restaurant The Cut & Craft is already well-established in Yorkshire. Credit: The Hoot LeedsSteak and seafood restaurant The Cut & Craft is already well-established in Yorkshire. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
“We’re months away from opening and we cannot wait to welcome you all.”
The stunning restoration project for The Cut & Craft is in collaboration with Bruntwood SciTech who have carried out a complete reimagining of the building. With the arrival of Cut and Craft the Bond building is now complete, creating a new destination for the city as well as an exceptional offering for those working in the building.
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Ciara Keeling, Chief Operating Officer at Bruntwood SciTech commented: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Cut & Craft to Bond.
“In breathing new life into this iconic building, Bruntwood SciTech have created an inspiring new workspace and leisure destination, one which deserves an exceptional hospitality operator at its heart.
“Preservation of this building’s extraordinary heritage and architecture has been front of mind throughout the whole restoration project, and the ground floor banking hall space is no exception.
“In The Cut & Craft we have found a partner that will bring quality, elegance and laid back glamour to this magnificent space, completing Bond’s status as an exciting new destination for the city centre.”
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
10th July 2024 
