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
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Disney On Ice is returning to Manchester with a brand-new magical adventure for the whole family this festive season.
I know June has only just begun and that officially means summer is here, but do you fancy just casting your minds forward to Christmas for a second?
That’s because Disney On Ice has announced today that it’ll be heading out on a tour of the UK once the festive season rolls around, and of course, the tour’ll be making a stop here in Manchester.
Audiences will get to discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all their friends from the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey of unforgettable moments as they bring timeless tales to life on ice.
The production will travel throughout the UK, visiting places like Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Belfast, all before arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
This is your chance to re-live famous Disney stories with all of your favourite characters, alongside the magic of classic Disney songs and world-class ice skating.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
The talented Disney On Ice cast rehearse for more than 550 hours to perfect each performance and encapsulate the characters, while a team of choreographers, and set and costume designers, create more than 200 props and more than 200 different costumes.
Encanto, Moana, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and Tangled are just some of the legendary Disney tales you can see reimagined when Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives in Manchester this December.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero 2025/26 tour dates
bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham: 29 October – 9 November 2025
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: 12 – 16 November 2025
Utilita Arena, Newcastle: 19 – 23 November 2025
P&J Live, Aberdeen: 27 – 30 November 2025
SSE Arena, Belfast: 5 – 7 December 2025
AO Arena, Manchester: 10 – 14 December 2025
Utilita Arena, Sheffield: 17 – 21 December 2025
O2 Arena, London: 26 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The magical production is arriving at the AO Arena this December / Credit: Supplied
The production brings beloved characters to life through cutting-edge figure skating, eye-catching costumes, and stunning set designs, with innovative lighting and thrilling special effects, making it an experience the whole family will treasure forever.
Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives at Manchester’s AO Arena from 10-14 December 2025, and tickets go on Three+ presale on Monday 9 June and AO Arena presale on Thursday 12 June, both at 9am.
All before they then go on general sale next Friday 13 June, again at 9am.
London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
Thomas Melia
Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.
Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.
Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.
This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.Credit: Justin De Souza
Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.
Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.
We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.
If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.
There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.Credit: Justin De Souza
New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.
You had us at booze and scran.
Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.
Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”
The Manc -
30th November 2021 
