We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are not nearly enough places in the city centre to go for a good Polish scran, which is why we love Platzki so much.
First opened in the city in 2018, initially it was housed back on the Mews but has since moved onto the main Deansgate strip, sandwiched between Alex’s Bakery and Bar Hutte.
Over the past four years it has developed something of a cult following amongst local foodies, who flock for its flavourful, traditional dishes, be they in groups or happily dining alone, all year-round.
And now the team has added another string to its bow with the addition of a brand new breakfast menu that nods to their chefs’ collective Polish and Ukrainian heritage.
Served on weekends only, it is the collective creation of chef-owners Lukasz Mazurek and Przemek Marcinkowski and their newest kitchen addition, Alona, a Ukrainian refugee who has newly arrived in Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Having fled the war in her home country alongside her fifteen-year-old son, Alona moved here a few months ago in search of some peace and stability and is now living in Stockport with her son and a local family who have taken them in.
A chef herself, she now works closely with Przemek and Lukasz. All three regularly share dish ideas and inspirations as they go, and as a result, they stumbled across the idea to combine their favourite breakfast dishes on a new menu. Trust us, it really is something special.
ADVERTISEMENT
We’re talking traditional Kielbasa (crispy fried Polish smoked sausage stew with tomato gherkin and mustard) loaded onto toasted sourdough and double pork schnitzels wedged into bagel-like baps and served with heaps of pickles, mushroom and traditional mayo vegetable salad.
Elsewhere, you’ll find fluffy egg and cheese omelette with tomatoes and spinach. chunky roasted pork neck baps with horseradish and sauerkraut, and Krokiet (crispy pancakes filled with Polish Black pudding with a fried egg on the side).
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
As for Alona’s contribution, there is just one Ukrainian dish: Syrniki. A dish that, from what we understand, is enjoy just as much at dessert as it is for breakfast, it comes as a plate of miniature, pillowy-soft cheesy pancakes plated up with a healthy dollop of mascarpone and reams of glistening cherries, still swimming in their juice. Divine.
ADVERTISEMENT
When we visit , it’s Manchester Pride weekend and the atmosphere in the city (and Platzki itself)is buzzing. The restaurant is full of pride flags, there’s a Pride shot offer on, and a large, giddy table behind us greedily curing their two-day hangovers with generous helpings of Kielbasa.
Sitting in the gorgeous plant-filled terrace dining room overlooking the Great Northern Warehouse, we’ve got the best view of the family Pride fun going on outside, with glamorous queens strutting past in full sparkles as we sip our morning coffee (or in my date’s case, a mango bellini and fruit juice smoothie, simultaneously).
Not only is Platzki in a prime spot for people-watching, it’s now also ideal for boozing a few bellinis and tucking into some traditional brekki dishes thanks to this latest addition.
Available from 9am-1pm every Saturday and Sunday, bookings are advised as it can get very busy.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
City Centre
Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.
Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.
For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.
You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.
Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?
Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.
While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.
It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.
The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.
As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.
Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:
Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.
ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…
Huge vintage home show to take over historic Manchester building next month
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
Read more:
Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
