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
Co-op Live appears to tease major Mariah Carey Christmas gig sending fans into a frenzy
Emily Sergeant
All we want for Christmas… is Mariah Carey in Manchester.
And maybe, just maybe, our Christmas wish might come true very soon, as Co-op Live has taken to social media today to tease its next gig announcement with its hundreds of thousands of followers, and without jumping to conclusions, it does appear to be hinting at the queen of Christmas herself making an appearance.
Look, we know it’s only July and right in the middle of summer, but even if you think it’s too early to be talking about the festive season, you have to admit that the potential of Mariah Carey coming to Manchester is worth getting excited any time of the year.
The US pop powerhouse last performed in our city nearly a decade ago now when she brought her famous All I Want For Christmasshow to the UK for the first time ever, taking to sold-out Manchester Arena stage on 10 December 2017.
Mariah has not performed in Manchester since, but all that could be set to change as Co-op Live has hinted that an announcement is ‘coming soon’.
Taking to its official social media platforms today, Co-op Live posted a very festive-themed AI video of snow falling on the arena as the camera zoomed in and the instrumental of Mariah’s absolutely iconic hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ playing in the background, and the caption hinting at the song’s title too.
Of course, we could be wrong, it might not be Mariah at all, but if the 300+ comments from fans in a frenzy thinking the same as us are anything to go by, it’s looking like we might be right.
“The countdown to Christmas is on,” Co-op Live said in its video, before letting fans know that they would be getting some form of confirmation soon.
So, is it Mariah then? What do you think? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.
Featured Image – Picryl
Christmas
Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year
Daisy Jackson
The festive light trail that proved to be a smash hit last winter will make a return to Manchester this year.
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland with 14 different installations, plus selfie spots along the route.
And there’ll be a limited Kids Go Free offer on select dates, as well as inclusive evenings with reduced capacity and lower audio levels.
Northern Lights attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its Heaton Park debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board.
This year, A Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Visitors will walk along Candy Cane Lane, admire a giant neon slinky, and ogle at shimmering nutcrackers.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops, and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Demand is expected to be high for this year’s festivities, with Early Bird tickets just released to get you the best value prices of the year.
Emma St.Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “The response to Northern Lights Manchester last year exceeded all of our expectations.
“The warmth and enthusiasm from visitors made it incredibly special for our team, and we’re delighted to be returning to Heaton Park with something completely new.
“Since January, we’ve been reimagining every part of the experience. A Christmas Time Machine takes visitors on a journey through the festive moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down. Nodding to the traditions we return to year after year, the nostalgia of Christmases gone by, and the excitement of creating new memories together.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back and share this next chapter of Northern Lights with families, friends and loved ones from across the region.”
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December. Visitor numbers will be reduced by 75%, with lower audio levels throughout the trail to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Northern Lights Manchester tickets
Kids Go Free offer – available on selected Off-Peak Early Bird dates until 31 August (or until allocation is exhausted. Use code KIDSLIGHTS before selecting tickets to unlock.
Early Bird Pricing
Peak tickets – from £17.25 including transaction fee
Off-peak tickets – from £13.75 including transaction fee
The Manc -
30th November 2021 
