Louis, a new Italian-American restaurant in the heart of Manchester with a ‘no photos’ policy, has finally confirmed its opening date.
The venue, first announced in February, comes from the same team behind Tattu and Fenix (two of the city’s most beautiful restaurants) and is set to be a haven of live music, excellent cooking and cocktails.
Louis is inspired by the classic New York restaurants that are often seen on the silver screen, filled with intimate booths and a tiered seating design centred around the main stage.
Louis has now confirmed that it will be delivering its take on mid-20th century New York on 13 September – and it’s teased what’s in store for the menu.
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Diners will be able to feast on an Italian-American menu that features a from-scratch Caesar salad, veal chops with crispy potatoes in marinara, and Iberico meatballs.
There’ll be a dedicated pasta workshop adjacent to the Louis kitchen, where fan favourites like rigatoni alla vodka and tagliatelle bolognese will be whipped up.
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The menu has been crafted by executive chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis (the visionary behind Fenix’s acclaimed Mediterranean menu), and Italian chef Matteo D’Elia, who has worked previously at restaurants including Il Gattopardo, the Broadwick Soho and Bacchanalia.
Will Meredith, the head of beverage, will curate a 12-drink menu that celebrates American classic cocktails, divided into aperitifs, dinner cocktails, and digestifs.
Standout creations will include the Bloody Maria, the Manhattan, and the PB&J Old Fashioned.
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Louis will offer the ‘best seat in the house’ to every single guest through its tiered design, which places a spotlight on the live acts.
It will be wrapped in deep velvet with classic Italian marble hugging the room, and there’ll be intimate tables shrouded with cafe curtains dotted around the space.
The bar itself will be adorned with large chains to lure people over with warm lighting and glimmering gold tones.
Louis will also be home to more than £1 million-worth of modern fine art, including pieces by Marco Battaglini, Alec Monopoly, Brainwash and Ted Todd.
As for the music, there’ll be a weekly roster of performers from soul singers to pianists to jazz quartets and full swing bands.
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Louis will be a dinner-only venue, open five nights a week, with a reservation-only policy.
And it will encourage a no-photos policy, urging guests to live the moment rather than create content, while also maintaining the privacy and enjoyment of other guests.
This is the latest venture for the Permanently Unique Group, who have already crafted (and expanded) Tattu and Fenix into some of the UK’s most popular venues.
Louis will open at 3 Hardman Square in Manchester on Friday 13 September 2024.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement
Danny Jones
The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.
A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.
However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.
In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.
Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).
Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.
“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.
“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)
They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.
Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.
It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”
RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.