Eats

There’s a non-alocholic pairing dinner coming to Manchester this Dry Jan

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 10th January 2025

A one-night-only pairing of two dining out staples from the food and drink world is coming to Manchester next month, and it also happens to be non-alcoholic for anyone doing Dry January.

Taking place at the wonderful Maray over on Lincoln Square, each dish served throughout the night will be expertly paired with a non-alcoholic drink from zero-per cent experts, Lucky Saint.

This Middle Eastern eatery is always surprising its diners, last September they made their infamous roasts free for one day only, and this upcoming event is sure to be as exciting with its unique tastings.

Lucky Saint came to fruition after partnering with a historical brewery in Bavaria who’ve produced beer for over 400 years, creating a non alcoholic alternative which greeted UK drinkers in 2020.

Lucky Saint will be readily available and paired with every meal.
Diners can expect some sensational food as always from Maray.
Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Titled ‘The Official Beer Of Dry January’, supplying IPAs and lagers to a host of stockists, not only are their products fully non-alcoholic but they’re also entirely plant-based – meaning they’re the perfect tie-in with Veganuary.

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If their website is anything to go by, diners are set to enjoy refreshments such as their unfiltered lager and a 0.5% ‘Hazy’ IPA which contains juicy tropical notes. Don’t mind if we do.

Although it’s hard to say what the food offerings may be, it’s guaranteed that anyone who attends is in for a treat as this site has even served famous faces like Dua Lipa back in 2022 while she was on tour.

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Their vegan menu features some meat free feasts like a falafel sharer and a delicious oyster mushroom shwarma, it’s a well-loved restaurant.

This dine-in spot is also known for their roasts which are served with the usuals like potatoes, carrots, Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

Whether they bring out menu highlights or brand-new food creations, diners will definitely get to taste some trusty and dependable plates.

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In fact, we’re going to go out on a limb and state that it’s one of the best restaurants for vegetarian food in all of Manchester.

Vegans are certainly catered for at this event as it’s not only the free-flowing drinks that contain no animal products, there will also be an entirely vegan menu on hand.

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Maray have multiple locations but anyone who couldn’t get enough of the flavours the first time in Manchester can attend their Liverpool pairing dinner which is happening the very next day.

The Maray x Lucky Saint Dry January Pairing Dinner is coming to Manchester on Wednesday, 15 January from 7-9:30pm with tickets live HERE.

And if you’re looking for other places to enjoy a guilt-free drink in the city centre this month, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Eats

‘That’s the end’ – Gary Usher announces shock closure of one of his bistros

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Celebrity chef Gary Usher has announced the closure of one his award-winning restaurants.

He’s shared today that Burnt Truffle, part of his Elite Bistros enterprise and the restaurant that launched his Crowdfunding business model, has ‘closed for good’.

The acclaimed restaurant opened almost a decade ago, with hundreds of prospective customers investing in the business in exchange for vouchers to spend when the doors opened.

Following the success of that, Gary Usher went on to run Kickstarters for several other restaurants, including Kala in Manchester city centre and Hispi in Didsbury.

The group’s most recent opening was The White Horse in 2023, its first venture into the world of pubs.

Elite Bistros has been a rare example of a neighbourhood restaurant that’s managed to weather the sh*tstorm of rising costs that has hit hospitality since 2020 – until now.

Burnt Truffle has closed with immediate effect, with Usher saying he’s ‘never been able to make it work here’.

He stressed that all suppliers, VAT and rent is paid, that the staff who have sadly been made redundant have also been paid, and that anyone with vouchers to spend can do so at the remaining Elite Bistros sites.

Gary Usher announcing the closure of Burnt Truffle today. Credit: X, GaryUsher_
Gary Usher announcing the closure of Burnt Truffle today. Credit: X, GaryUsher_
Burnt Truffle has closed with immediate effect. Instagram, @burnt_truffle
Burnt Truffle has closed with immediate effect. Instagram, @burnt_truffle

He said: “I need to share some news with you and unfortunately it’s not great news. I’m sat here in Burnt Truffle and we are now closed. We’re closed for good.

“I had a 10 year lease and that lease has come to an end. I could have renewed that lease but the honest truth is I’ve never been able to make it work here.

“I’ve been quite vocal about how difficult the government have made it over the last few years, but ultimately I’ve never been able to make it work here, so the best business decision for us is to close.”

He continued: “It’s a sad day, it really is. You know, when I think back to when we opened here, we had the likes of Jay Rayner and Lisa Markwell coming, and we got two rosettes quite quickly too.

“We were the first crowdfunded restaurant in the UK with non-investment crowdfunding. So that started our journey with crowdfunding, actually.

“So what does it mean for the business moving forward? Well, we carry on. We just keep going, we keep trying, and we keep innovating to get through these tough times. And, and that’s it really.

“Thank you to everyone that came, thank you to all the team. Thanks to all the guests. We’ve loved being in Heswall. We’ve loved being in Burnt Truffle, but that’s the end.”

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Featured image: Twitter, @GaryUsher_

Eats

Where to drink game-changing non-alcoholic aperitivo Botivo in Greater Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 10 Tib Lane in Manchester

Whether it’s Dry January, a hangover-free night out, or total sobriety, there are a lot of options for non-alcoholic drinking these days. 

But they don’t come much better than Botivo, a game-changing aperitivo that’s 0% alcohol but 100% tasty. 

This delicious small-batch drink has been carefully crafted with just as much attention as you’d put into an alcoholic cocktail, from the hand-picked thyme leaves to the bottles hand-dipped in a buttercup yellow wax. 

Founder Sam Paget Steavenson said: “I wanted to bring the true craft and depth of flavour we all see in the alcohol category, to the non alc category. This meant using real ingredients, no flavourings and low intervention techniques.”

The result is Botivo, a bittersweet, citrusy, herbal drink that can be added into summer drinks, winter warmers, after-work concoctions and just about anything else you can think of. 

And if you do love an alcoholic drink, Botivo is still a great addition to your boozy cocktails.

It’s popping up on shelves right across Greater Manchester – here are 10 places you can drink Botivo locally. 

Reserve Wines – Didsbury

Reserve Wines in Didsbury
Reserve Wines in Didsbury
Reserve Wines in Didsbury
Reserve Wines in Didsbury

This fantastic local wine bar and bottle shop is one of the best spots in Manchester to get your hands on rare and unusual drinks – and also, Botivo. 

The Didsbury institution serves theirs simply with soda and a delicious kick of ginger, or with blueberry and ginger kombucha. 

Tawny Stores – Stockport

Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group
Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Tawny Stores
Botivo at Tawny Stores. Credit: The Manc Group

Tawny Stores is a lovely little cafe, restaurant and grocery store right on the water’s edge in Marple, where you can do everything from having a romantic candlelit dinner to scoffing a morning pastry to grabbing a loaf of bread to take home.⁠

Here, Botivo is added to a warming spiced apple drink, reminiscent of a mulled cider. You can even have it served in a takeaway cup to take it on a walk down the neighbouring canal, if you so fancy. 

Bundobust – Oxford Road

Manchester Indian street food restaurant Bundobust
Manchester Indian street food restaurant Bundobust. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Bundobust Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Bundobust Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike love Bundobust, a Leeds-founded Indian street food restaurant that now has two sites in Manchester city centre. 

Among the long benches and beneath the skylights (weirdly, both sites have similar ceilings), you can pair your Indian small plates with a tasty glass of Botivo and soda. 

Delve – Delph

Delve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc Group
Delve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc Group
Delve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc Group
Delve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc Group

Delve is a gorgeous restaurant and bar that’s recently opened in the Saddleworth village of Delph, inside an old bank building. 

They’ve come up with a suitably sophisticated Botivo serve, the Pink Lady, made with chilled fruit tea.

Something More Productive – Withington

Something More Productive. Credit: The Manc Group
Something More Productive in Withington. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Something More Productive. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Something More Productive. Credit: The Manc Group

This is a lively neighbourhood bar and cafe, as famed for its sturdy sandwiches as it is live music nights. 

Tuck yourself away inside with a Botivo, served here with delicious ginger and yuzu kombucha from Cheshire-made Hip Pop. 

North Westward Ho – city centre

Botivo at North Westward Ho in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at North Westward Ho in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at North Westward Ho in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Easily one of the city centre’s best watering holes, North Westward Ho is a charming pub operated by the same team behind Pomona Island brewery. 

A perfect alternative to their massive beer selection, Botivo comes with soda and a wedge of fresh orange. 

Caravan – St John’s

Botivo drinks at Caravan Manchester
Botivo drinks at Caravan Manchester
Caravan in Manchester city centre
Caravan in Manchester city centre
Credit: The Manc Group

Caravan is another huge newcomer in Manchester city centre, where it has an all-day menu inspired by the vibrant flavours of New Zealand and Australia cafe culture. 

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Get cosy in the huge, light-flooded space and order yourself a Botivo and soda with a sprig of rosemary to really enhance those herbal flavours. 

The Pearl – Prestwich

A Botivo espresso martini at The Pearl, Prestwich
A Botivo espresso martini at The Pearl, Prestwich
The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
The Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group

You’ve never had an espresso martini like this before – and you’ll never want to drink it another way. 

Award-winning neighbourhood restaurant The Pearl has added Botivo to its espresso martinis, for a delicious citrus hit to the classic drink. 

Hinterland Bar – Northern Quarter

Inside Hinterland in the Northern Quarter
Inside Hinterland in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Botivo at Hinterland.
Botivo Elixir at Hinterland. Credit; The Manc Group

Tucked down in a Northern Quarter basement is Hinterland, a proudly alcohol-free bar that is the perfect cosy spot to sample Botivo. 

They’ll serve you a Botivo Elixir, made with chai tea, lime, and cucumber – or you can have it more simply with soda. 

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10 Tib Lane – city centre

10 Tib Lane in Manchester
10 Tib Lane in Manchester
Inside 10 Tib Lane Manchester
Inside 10 Tib Lane Manchester

If you’ve never been to 10 Tib Lane, let this be your sign – the three-storey restaurant and bar is a real beauty, serving delicious small plates that pair perfectly with Botivo. 

They serve it ice cold, with soda and fresh orange. Delicious. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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