Gusto Restaurants has confirmed that its Didsbury location has sadly closed after 17 years.
The chain of Italian restaurants has multiple venues all over the UK, including half a dozen in the North West alone and, up until recently boasted a total of four across Greater Manchester and its neighbouring areas.
Now though, the restaurant group has quietly shared the news that their long-standing Didsbury site has unfortunately closed its doors after more than a decade and a half as a mainstay on Wilmslow Road.
News of the closure was verified following an official update on the Gusto website and the south Manchester spot has now been marked as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.
Credit: Gusto Restaurants website (screenshot)
Posting a short notice on their Restaurants page, a statement reads: “We are sad to announce that our Didsbury restaurant will be closing its doors permanently as of today.
“We want to take this moment to thank those who have joined us for your loyalty and support. You made our restaurant a place filled with celebrations and laughter.
“As always, our team members are our top priority. We are doing everything we can to support them in finding new roles within the business or guiding them as they take the next steps in their journey.
“Thank you for allowing us to serve you, and for being part of our journey. We will cherish the memories made here. Team Gusto Italian x”
Having been regular patrons of the Italian eatery for many years, we’re sad to see it go; fellow fans of their food will be relieved to hear, however, that their Manchester city centre and Cheadle Hulme sites will remain open, as will their nearby Alderley Edge and Knutsford equivalents.
Gusto Didsbury now visibly shut down on what would usually be a steady weeknight service. (Credit: The Manc Group)
One of multiple sites opened by the group in 2007, Gusto Didsbury was one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the town for a long time and had previously won Italian Restaurant of the Year at the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association’s PAPA Industry Awards.
Founded in Cheshire back in 2005 by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon of the Living Ventures Group following the rebrand of Est Est Est, Gusto eventually received financial backing from Palatine Private Equity back in 2014, with the Didsbury restaurant remaining one of their key locations.
However, with the local area’s culinary scene positively booming, competition has continued to increase over the years and after receiving interest in the unit from “well-known” retailers, the company has decided to vacate the premises promptly following a review of the site.
They have also ensured to help their current Didsbury team transition into other existing venues as well “ensuring they are provided with opportunities within our wider business where available and have all necessary resources.” Sadly, it’s not the only local food and drink spot that’s bid goodbye this week.
Featured Images — Gusto Restaurants (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
Eats
Luxury Manchester steak restaurant launches bottomless brunch with endless rosé
Daisy Jackson
One of the newest luxury restaurants in Manchester is bringing back its suitably luxury bottomless brunch, with endless rosé and champagne.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch, where you can sip on never-ending Whispering Angel Rosé while tucking into a flat iron steak.
And if you’re not fussed about the food and just want to indulge in 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon Champagne in a beautiful setting, there are bar-only tables available too, which come with complimentary black truffle crisps.
The whole thing will be soundtracked by a live DJ, dancers, and more.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch
Its bottomless brunch launched over the previous bank holidays and will be back again this August for one day only.
You can choose from bottomless Whispering Angel, Moët & Chandon Champagne, or both.
And dishes from the Cut & Craft bottomless brunch set menu include flat iron steak and chips; halloumi, steak or prawn fajitas; and grilled peach salad.
Each booking gets you 90 minutes of bottomless, with extra nibbles available like freshly shucked Carlingford oysters, caviar, olives, salted almonds, and more.
Whispering Angel tickets are £55 for bar, or £75 for restaurant.
Champagne AND Whispering Angel tickets are £80 at the bar or £100 in the restaurant.
Prestwich wine bar Chin Chin now serves roast dinner sandwiches
Daisy Jackson
A new (ish) wine bar in Prestwich has launched one of the city’s coolest Sunday offerings – roast dinner sandwiches, with a side of jazz.
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1000 times – Elnecot is up there as one of Manchester’s best Sunday roasts, with Yorkshire puddings you could fit a jug of gravy inside, blushing slices of roast beef, and generous portions that put you in the sort of food coma you should be in on a Sunday afternoon.
So when Roast Master (okay fine, his official job title is chef/owner) Michael Clay said that his sister venue Chin Chin was launching a Sunday offering, I was there with my nose pressed up at the window. I’m ready, Michael.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin, right in the heart of Prestwich village, brings that incredible roast beef and roast potatoes into a more casual format.
You can tuck into roast meat butties, roast potatoes loaded with cheese and gravy, and ice cream sundaes, all while perusing a well-thought-out wine list that’s written up by hand every time new bottles come in.
Oh, and did we mention there are £4 pints all day on Sunday – and that includes Guinness?
On the side of just about everything on the menu, you’re presented with a little bowl of extra gravy (how delightfully Northern) for dipping and dunking.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin in PrestwichRoast beef sandwiches at Chin ChinLancashire cheese toastiesThe BifanaLoaded roastiesWine and vinyl recordsInside Chin Chin wine barThe wine list at Chin Chin
Our top pick would be the roast beef sandwich, served between ciabatta rolls and laced with mustard mayo and caramelised onions.
But the cheese toastie is worth a visit too – a hefty helping of Lancashire cheese and charred spring onions, with a ‘secret sauce’ on the side.
Coming soon will be a new menu item, a Bifana sandwich. If you’ve trudged the streets of Portugal you’ll have come across these – thin slices of pork marinated in white wine and garlic, piled into bread with a punchy mustard. Chin Chin’s are excellent.
And for afters, because there is always room for dessert, it’s a lovely ice cream sundae topped with miso caramel and a showering of pistachios.
The whole time you’ll be eating with a soundtrack of jazz, played through the wine bar’s vinyl record system and Michael’s own personal collection of vinyls.
Chin Chin is open now on Bury New Road, with food on Sundays served between 12pm and 6pm.
Danny Jones -
11th November 2024 
