Venues don’t last long in Manchester’s effervescent food and drink arena unless they can find ways to keep things fresh. That’s why the innovative Don Giovanni is still one of the most beloved local restaurants 36 years and counting.
The Rainy City’s multi-award winning, independently-owned Italian restaurant prides itself on traditional recipes whipped up by the ancestors of Ancoats’ Little Italy neighbourhood, and in almost four decades this commitment to authenticity hasn’t changed. But similarly, Don Giovanni has never been afraid to mix up the dining experience. The carefully curated Christmas Day 2021 menu is the perfect case in point.
In order to help Manchester celebrate the upcoming winter season in style, Don Giovanni is opening its doors on December 25 – serving up an unparalleled FIVE-COURSE meal.
Described as a “blend of British classics with an Italian twist”, the special menu is a mouth-watering mixture of locally-sourced meat, seafood and pasta dishes – complete with tasty winter trimmings like honey roasted vegetables and rosemary gravy.
The festive feast kicks off – quite rightly – with a tall glass of Prosecco, followed by Primi, Secondi and Dolce courses.
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‘Primi’ plate options include Zuppa Di Barbavietole Carrote (roasted parsnip and carrot soup); Pate di Fegatini (chicken and duck liver pate with toasted bread and homemade chutney); Crocchetta di Pesce (freshly-made haddock and salmon fishcakes with homemade sweet chilli dip); and Buffalo Mozzarella with fresh figs, Parma ham and honey.
Among the ‘Secondi’ courses you’ll find several lip-smacking British-Italian fusions, including Achino Alla Casalinga with turkey breast, chipolata sausage, carrots, sprouts, sage and chestnut stuffing; Costata Al Ferri 28-day aged British rib-eye steak with fries and garlic butter sauce; and Ravioli di Spinachi pasta filled with ricotta and spinach in butter and sage sauce.
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Other options at the halfway mark in this marathon of a meal include a roasted butternut squash risotto dish with thyme and parmesan shavings and a Branzino Al Caroccio sea bass with cherry tomatoes and ocean fresh clams.
Down in the ‘Dolce’ category is a selection of Italian cheeses; Italian Christmas pudding served warm with custard; a chocolate fondant with homemade vanilla ice cream; and Tiramisu Bundino Al Caramello with salted caramel sauce, honeycomb pieces and vanilla ice cream or clotted cream.
You can get all of this on Christmas Day for £69.50 per person (adults). For children under 12 the price is £34.75.
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Don Giovanni will also be on hand to help Mancs ring in the New Year with a fittingly fun-filled and energetic party on December 31. A DJ is set to soundtrack the entire evening and you can even arrange for a bottle of midnight bubbly to be delivered to your table ahead of the countdown when you book.
If you’re living on the other side of the Cheshire border and don’t fancy wandering too far from home this year, it’s worth noting that Don Giovanni’s stunning sister venue People in Hale is also launching its own mighty festive meal for 2021.
The new hotspot is already in the holiday spirit, designing a five-course Christmas Day menu that’s plated up in merry, music-laden, jolly surroundings with a Champagne sorbet as a palette cleanser.
Starter dishes include chicken liver and brandy pate; wild mushroom soup; whipped goat cheese; Atlantic fresh prawns; and deep fried brie.
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The mains, meanwhile, consist of four delicious options: roast turkey; 56-day dry aged fillet beef medallions; rosemary and garlic roasted cod loin; and Pithivier filled with kale, spiced pears, butternut squash and feta cheese.
Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate torte, and Hale Mess are all available on the desserts menu.
Prices are £75 per adult, with 50% off for children aged under 12.
There’s also gift vouchers available – which may prove to be a handy little pressie idea for a loved one this year. These can be purchased as standard for £50, £75, or £100 (or specifically chosen values).
People has also started running its ‘Ultimate Party Menu’ moving into winter – with two courses for £29.95pp or three courses £34.95pp (available until January 2). A cracking option for work, family and friend get-togethers.
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Roll on Christmas 2021… Book a table at Don Giovanni for Christmas Day here. Reservations can also be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 0161 228 2482.
Featured image: Supplied
Christmas
More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled
Danny Jones
Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.
Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”
As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)
In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.
As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.
Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.
The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”
Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.
“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”
Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:
⏰HAPPENING NOW; when Transport for Greater Manchester wouldn't come to the table SO the strikers brought the table (*and chairs) to them! We're ready when you are TfGM. pic.twitter.com/io1OFHED8I
Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.
One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”
So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.
Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.
Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/The Manc Group
Christmas
Rudy’s toy-swap – You can swap toys for pizza in Manchester this Christmas
Daisy Jackson
You’ll be able to claim a free pizza in exchange for donating a toy to charity this Christmas, with the return of Rudy’s toy-swap initiative.
The popular pizzeria is teaming up again with Cash for Kids, for a community-led toy-swap initiative.
Mancs who take an unwrapped, new toy (worth £10) into any Rudy’s pizzeria will be able to claim a pizza on the house as a thank you.
One toy = one free Neapolitan pizza.
The toys collected in the charity drive will be donated to the Cash for Kids charity, spreading a little festive cheer to children in need.
When Rudy’s held a similar toy-swap scheme last year, they gathered 6,500 toy donations.
The donations and free pizza will be available from Monday 1 December to Thursday 4 December between 12pm and 5pm.
Commenting on the toy-swap initiative, Managing Director of Rudy’s Pizza Neal Bates, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back our festive toy swap this Christmas in partnership with Cash for Kids.
“The campaign is a simple way for our guests to give back and help bring a little joy to children who might otherwise go without.
“Community has always been at the heart of Rudy’s, and this initiative is a small way for us to say thank you and spread kindness throughout our community, all with delicious pizza in hand.”
The Rudy’s toy-swap initiative is back in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There’ll be new festive pizzas to try in every Rudy’s too, including the Porchetta (with Emilia-Romagna porchetta, sage-roasted potatoes and cranberry sauce); the Pesto Rosso (homemade sundried tomato red pesto base with capers and tomatoes); and the Pizza Sorbillo, inspired by Naples’ legendary Sorbillo Pizzeria.
There’ll also be seasonal cocktails including the spiced red berry spritz, the white Christmas margherita, and a winter spiced negroni.
Rudy’s toy swap initiative will run from 1 – 4 December across all of Rudy’s pizzerias in the UK – Manchester pizzerias include Ancoats, Peter Street, and Portland Street, plus branches in suburbs across Greater Manchester.
The Manc -
30th November 2021 
