A much-loved restaurant in Chorlton has announced its sudden closure, due to ‘insurmountable challenges’.
Amma’s Canteen is a south Indian spot on Barlow Moor Road that’s been wowing fans with its small plates and curries since it opened in 2017.
It also served authentic oothappam, a sort of pizza/crepe hybrid made with rice and lentils then topped with spicy hummus and slow roasted tomato compote.
But in a post shared on its social pages last night, Amma’s Canteen confirmed its immediate and heartbreaking closure.
The family-run eatery has said that the support of its customers has ‘meant the world to us’.
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They cited the rise in product prices and inflation as reasons for the shock closure, saying they can ‘no longer sustain our business’.
Amma’s Canteen also stressed that the decision to close was made with ‘much consideration’ and as a family.
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Their full statement reads: “We regret to announce the closure of Amma’s Canteen. Despite our best efforts, the challenges we’ve faced along this journey have proven insurmountable.
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: The Manc GroupAmma’s Canteen has announced its closure
“We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support of our loyal customers, but unfortunately, with rising product prices and inflation, we can no longer sustain our business.
“We recognize that this news may disappoint you, but we’ve reached this decision as a family after much consideration.
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“Your support has meant the world to us, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for accompanying us on this journey.”
Amma’s Canteen, which also once starred in an episode of Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, has been flooded with messages of support already.
One person wrote: “So incredibly sorry to hear this, absolutely loved Amma’s and raved about you to everyone. Will miss your insane chicken thoran dosa and chicken 65 so much. Best of luck with the next chapter.”
Another said: “Really sad news this guys. Unfortunately it’s happening to so many businesses at the moment. The government is running them into the ground and doesn’t care.
“Loved your tamarind wings and the lamb biryani was the best I ever tasted. I live 2 mins walk from you and I was proud to have such a fantastic restaurant so close serving special food.
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“I am sure you will be successful in whatever you do next, on Come Dine With me you were the most lovely couple. All the best for the future guys.”
Someone else commented: “So so sorry to hear this- we only got to visit a few times- but you were a firm favourite to us and will be sadly missed by myself and my daughter! Wishing you all the best in the future.”
Inside Voyeur, a mysterious new post-punk 80s-inspired cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
A brand new cocktail bar is set to open in Manchester this week, with dark and mysterious interiors, 80s inspiration, and a raunchy theme.
Voyeur is opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter, and here it’s all about modern drinks in a post-punk 80s setting.
The walls are decorated with beautiful voyeurism photography from the 80s, including artists like David Hockney, Nick Taggart, and Malerie Marder.
Even the menus celebrate the artistic side of voyeurism, with drinks presented within a book of photography.
Those drinks include creative twists on drinks dating back more than a century, from the Kaleidescope of Lies (a two-in one cocktail inspired by a pina colada, with a strawberry daiquiri foam top) to The Voyeur (made with coriander-infused tequila for a savoury punch).
There’ll be monthly themed specials, kicking off with The Breakfast Club, where seasonal drinks take inspiration from Lucky Charms cereal, chai latte and an acai bowl.
Cocktails inspired by The Breakfast Club at VoyeurCocktails at Voyeur in the Northern QuarterInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barVoyeur on Oldham StreetThe cocktail menu is presented as a photography book
The dark space is lit by marble table lamps and a glittering green disco ball (and not much else), perfect for an evening spent sipping cocktails into the early hours.
Between Thursdays and Sundays, Voyeur will have DJs spinning vinyls.
Voyeur is opening this week on Oldham Street and will be open from 5pm to 2am between Tuesday and Sunday.
A brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop in a former Manc food spot
Thomas Melia
Sweet lovers and dessert connoisseurs alike, a brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop is opening in Manchester city centre this month.
Titled ‘Baby Mayhem’, this sweet-filled shop has been teasing its arrival for the past month with videos showcasing everything from new instalments to their graffiti-style logo.
This brand-new opening will be located on Radium Street, not too far away from Chinese superstar Wing Yip and fellow sweet treat specialists, Flat Baker, right in the heart of Ancoats.
The interior has been given a very nice and bright facelift too, going from an all white four-walled site to a bold and distinctive baby pink-covered site.
Manchester seems to have quite the sweet tooth at the moment, as it was only last month that our Northern Quarter was christened by cake gods, Get Baked.
As for this new dessert shop, they’re starting from scratch, with a temporary wooden window frame with their branding spray-painted onto it fitted ahead of their soft launch later this week.
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the much-loved Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria shop, and it really is out with the old, in with the new, as the familiar neon ‘No Lasagne’ sign has been traded for a sweeter read of ‘Fresh Donuts’.
It may be Yank spelling, but this still feels Manc through and through.
Case and point: all their signage, stamps and stencils have been done by local laser cutting service and neighbours, Drawn By The Light – also on Radium Street.
Enough salt, let’s have a serious amount of sugar. (Credit: Baby Mayhem via Instagram)
Baby Mayhem are taking sweet treats to the complete extreme, serving up everyone’s beloved combo of coffees and cakes, while also creating our soon-to-be-favourite indulgence: doughnut sandwiches. 10/10, no notes – genius.
There really are no complaints here; what’s not to love?
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the former Lazy Tony’s site, 23 Radium Street in Ancoats, and will be serving up their sweet treats for all to try from this Saturday, 26 April.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd April 2024 
