City Centre

A Christmas-themed ‘Miracle on Cross Street’ bar is coming to Manchester

Think mulled wine, espresso-ho-ho-ho martinis, pigs in blankets and mac and cheese - plus a giant, snow-covered Christmas tree and twinkling fairy lights galore

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 3rd November 2021

Liverpool’s beloved grown-up Christmas-themed bar and grotto Miracle on Seal Street is coming to Manchester this month.

Called Miracle on Cross Street, it’ll be located on (you guessed it) Cross Street and adorned with all manner of festive finery, from twinkling fairy lights and a giant Christmas tree to candy canes, stockings and snowflakes.

With a host of Christmas movie nights planned, plus festive cocktail specials such as the espresso-ho-ho-ho martini, this is a must for anyone wanting to fully immerse themselves in the feel-good festive spirit.

The Liverpool bar even has a roaring Christmas fire / Image: MIracle on Seal Street
The espresso-ho-ho-ho martini at Miracle on Seal Street / Image: MIracle on Seal Street

Think mulled wine, its own brand of Irish Cream, festive nibbles, and all-time Christmas film favourites like Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone – then tell us you’re not excited for this one.

Whilst you can walk in, tickets are very much recommended – this is how it’s done in Liverpool and helps anyone miss out on the experience. Tickets usually seem to come with a goodie bag and drink, too, so are well worth purchasing.

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Priced at £15, the ticket will guarantee your seat – plus a complimentary drinks voucher, Christmas hat, candy cane, Miracle on Cross Street pin, and mince pie (vegan pies are available).

Image: Miracle on Seal Street
Image: Miracle on Seal Street

As for nibbles, think mac and cheese, Christmas burgers with pigs in blankets, turkey sandwiches and more – that is, if the Liverpool offering is anything to go by.

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Miracle on Cross Street’s Director, John Ennis, said: “We’re so excited to introduce Miracle to Manchester for the first time this year. It’s the perfect place for couples, groups of friends or private functions in the most festive environment.

“Guests can sit back and soak up the festive fun with a Christmas cocktail and nibbles in hand. We’ll also be hosting movie nights on Wednesdays and Sundays where the best Christmas films will be shown. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests who may be visiting the Christmas markets, doing some Christmas shopping or just want to get involved in the festivities.”

Miracle on Cross Street will open a stone’s throw from the Christmas Markets, launching in Manchester on 17 November.

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It will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm until late, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday wil open from 4 pm until late.

Feature image – Miracle on Seal Street

City Centre

Inside the Manchester restaurant serving ‘India’s answer to a Wigan kebab’

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

When it comes to finding new and innovative ways to enjoy the humble potato, it’s fair to say that we Brits pretty much have the art down.

From creamy mash to deep-fried chips, crunchy hasslebacks, hash browns, and the all-time classic that is bubble and squeak, you name it, we’ve tried it.

Still, somehow it took the arrival of Indian street food favorite Bundobust for us to be introduced to the concept of a mashed potato burger – and we are forever thankful.

Comprised of a deep-fried potato dumpling placed inside a brioche bun, accompanied by two house-made chutneys and a whole green chili pepper, since its introduction to the Manchester food scene in 2016 the Vada Pav has become one of Bundobust’s most iconic dishes.

Also known as a Bombay burger, the vegetarian fast food snack sells in its thousands back home in Mumbai and has now become something of a signature dish here in Manchester too.

We recently popped down with Deliveroo for an episode of Takeaway Champions to try the dish, and after one taste our reviewer immediately called it the ‘Indian answer to a Wigan kebab’. It’s simply carbs on carbs on carbs, and we’re here for it.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

That said, it’s not the only thing worth ordering when you visit.

Other longstanding menu staples at Bundobust include its barbecued paneer, mushroom and pepper tikka kebabs, sweet and crunchy Bundo chaat, and crispy okra fries; whilst new dishes include the Ragda Pethis – a north-meets-east combination of mushy peas and potato cake, sev, tomato, onion, and tamarind chutney.

Having first opened in Manchester in 2016, today Bundobust has two sites in the city centre. Its original home still sits underneath Piccadilly Gardens, with a second restaurant and in-house brewery residing over on Oxford Road.

The restaurant – initially born in Leeds before making its way to Manchester – has always had a strong reputation for sourcing excellent craft beer, but since quietly opening its own brewery during the Covid lockdowns it’s only gone from strength to strength.

Read more: ‘We were treated awfully’ – ex-staffer speaks out as Freight Island gears up for reopening

Housed in a unique 100-year-old space within the iconic Grade II listed St James building, the Manchester-based brewery is a custom-built 10-hectolitre facility capable of producing 20,000 pints a month.

Today, alongside beers from other respected brewers, the restaurant serves up a list of specially-made house beers, all designed to complement the flavours of its dishes.

These include a coriander lager, a masala chai porter and a tropical pale ale, as well as its latest concoction: a mango lassi beer created in collaboration with brewers at Northern Monk.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Read more: The Sparrows ‘ever so proud and honoured’ after award from famous ‘lip licking Michelin Man’

To see the full menu click here and to find out more about Bundobust head over to their Instagram page here.

Oh, and to save on your next Deliveroo order from Bundobust make sure to use our code BUNDO10 when you check out.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

City Centre

The Sparrows ‘ever so proud and honoured’ after award from famous ‘lip licking Michelin Man’

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

This week Michelin releasesd its list of new Bib Gourmand restaurants for 2023 in the UK and Ireland, and Green Quarter restaurant The Sparrows scored big.

Having recently been featured in the prestigious Guide’s list of recommended Manchester restaurants in January, the team was already on a high – but now all that has been blown out of the water by a second honour from inspectors.

Recognising the high quality of their food as well as the restaurant’s great value for money, the news has left its owners Kasia And Franco Hitchcock absolutely enthused – prompting an outpouring of gratitude on social media last night

Sharing the news with its followers yesterday, owners explained how Bib Gourmand is ‘one of the famous Michelin restaurant guides’ before going on to say that they are ‘ever so proud and honoured to be recognised by this prestigious gastronomic family.’

They explained: “Bib Gourmand restaurants may not have a Michelin star, but the food must still be delicious, and the total cost for three courses should come to under a certain amount, depending on the local cost of living.”

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

The post then continued to thank their fans and followers, with owners writing: “We are grateful for your appreciation and ongoing inspiration.”

The post has already been liked over 500 times on Instagram at the time of writing, with followers pouring into the comments to offer up words of support and congratulations to the South Tyrolian restaurant.

One person wrote: “From dining at your original site, to the many delicious meals at your new home, every time it is delicious. Congratulations”

Another said: “Bloody fantastic well done can’t wait to see you both on Sunday … Any chance lobster or crab … no pressure !”

Read more: Reviewed: The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pasta and dumpling restaurant that just made the Michelin Guide

A third added: “Very much deserved for the food and the service and at a great price Can’t wait for Suzume”

A fourth said: “Amazing to see you cement your place over this last few years. More than deserved. Congrats to the whole team.”

Read more: A restaurant in Ancoats is serving up plates of crispy fried squirrel

The full post read: “GOURMAND 2023 lip licking Michelin Man.

“Bib Gourmand, one of the famous Michelin restaurant guides, recognises restaurants that offer great food at reasonable prices. Bib Gourmand restaurants may not have a Michelin star, but the food must still be delicious, and the total cost for three courses should come to under a certain amount, depending on the local cost of living.

“The Sparrows are ever so proud and honoured to be recognised by this prestigious gastronomic family for our delicious spätzle and fresh pastas shared everyday with Manchester’s guests.

We are grateful for your appreciation and ongoing inspiration.”

Feature image – The Manc Eats

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