A brand new Salford restaurant will celebrate its launch today by giving away 1000 katsu curries, completely free.
Banana Tree is an award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant that started life down in London more than three decades ago.
It’s since expanded with restaurants across the UK, but this will be its first trip up to Greater Manchester.
The new Salford venue will officially open its doors today, Monday 12 February, at the Lowry Outlet Mall.
The restaurant will have space for 150 diners inside, and an extra 70 outside on an all-weather terrace.
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Dishes on the Banana Tree menu will include pad Thai, ramen, and katsu curry dishes, plus bottomless brunches seven days a week, and an all-day menu that will suit the pre-theatre crowd.
The menu champions traditional meals from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, including noodles, salads, curries and stir-fries.
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More than 40% of the menu is also plant-based.
Banana Tree is celebrating its arrival in Salford with a 1000-katsu-curry giveaway, running throughout the first seven weeks of its opening (or until curries run out).
To claim a free katsu curry, diners will need to fill out a form and book a table, with more than 500 slots available.
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Inside Banana Tree as it opens in SalfordBanana Tree will serve a Pan-Asian menu in Salford at the Lowry Outlet Mall
There’ll be both chicken and vegan options available, each coated in a crispy panko crumb and served with katsu curry sauce, rice, and edamame.
But if you miss out on the free dish tables, worry not – Banana Tree will also be running 50% off all menu dishes for the first five weeks of opening as part of its soft launch. Just book a table to claim your discount.
Banana Tree marketing director Tom Patrick said: “We’re so excited to be opening our first restaurant in the north and open our first restaurant in the vibrant city of Salford. This will be our 19th restaurant and we couldn’t have secured a better location!
“With an all day menu taking you on a tour of South East Asian cuisine, we know that there really is something for everyone. From Pad Thai to Ramen, Katsu to 2-4-1 cocktails we’re the perfect spot for a pre-show meal, a light lunch with friends or a full Pan Asian feast!
“To celebrate our arrival into Salford we’re giving away 1000 FREE Katsu curries with no strings attached!
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“The 30 strong team have been training hard in our sister restaurants throughout the country for several weeks, and now our team are training in site, we think our Salford restaurant could be our best looking one yet! We’re looking forward to welcoming you to our award winning restaurant.”
Click here to book your table and claim your free katsu curry.
Acclaimed Manchester cocktail bar named one of UK’s best quietly closes its doors
Emily Sergeant
An acclaimed Manchester cocktail bar that was formerly named one of the best in the UK has quietly closed its doors for good.
Tucked away beneath the former set of Coronation Street in the Old Granada Studios complex, and hidden in the basement of Manchester‘s historic 1800s Bonded Warehouse at St. John’s, Project Halcyon Distillery officially opened its doors in 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic delays – with the intimate venue going on to become a city favourite.
The acclaimed, Speakeasy-style bar drew inspiration from Prohibition-era Chicago, focusing on ‘halcyon days’ of calm and luxury.
It included an on-site distillery used to create bespoke ingredients for its seasonal menu, and beyond cocktails, even featured a so-called ‘Stillroom’ for masterclasses and had private, curtained room dedicated to absinthe, with traditional fountains, called ‘Salon Vert’.
Project Halcyon has quietly closed its doors for good / Credit: Project Halcyon | The Manc Group
But despite its success over the years, and even earning a place in the coveted Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK list on several occasions, Project Halcyon has officially – but somewhat quietly – now closed its doors for good.
“It was with sincere regret that due to unexpected challenges at the ownership level we must close our doors for the foreseeable. Though we say goodbye, the memories live on.
“Thank you to everyone who shared in our craft, our community, and our story.”
After the news broke on social media, Project Halcyon’s Instagram post was flooded with dozens of comments showing support for staff members, and remembering the venue as one of their favourite cocktail bars in the city centre.
The nature of some of the comments also prompted Project Halcyon to issue a follow-up statement below addressing concerns over money owed to workers and other partners, adding: “We sincerely hope that anyone who may be owed by the owners of Project Halcyon – past and present team included – receives what they are owed.
“We are not deleting comments and have no interest in doing so. We also cannot control how Instagram manages comment threads. This page is run by the team, not the owners.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Eats
Viral chicken shop Wingstop is opening inside the Manchester Arndale
Daisy Jackson
Wingstop, the chicken shop famed for its vast range of wing flavours and sauces, is opening another spot in Manchester city centre.
The brand will be taking over the old Yo Sushi site in the Manchester Arndale, which shut down just last month.
It’ll mean there’ll be two Wingstop locations within a few minutes’ walk of each other, with another takeaway already well-established on Piccadilly Gardens.
Wingstop UKI has found viral fame with people taste-testing its wide range of hand-sauced chicken wing flavours, ranging from garlic parmesan all the way up to the eye-watering ‘Atomic’.
As well as chicken wings, it serves delicious tenders and burgers, all cooked to order.
There are also a range of sides, including loaded fries, sweet potato fries, and cajun fried corn, plus dips like ranch, honey mustard, and blue cheese.
Wingstop is also famed for its thick milkshakes – which are a necessity if you order your chicken down the spicier end of the scale.
Established in Texas in 1994, Wingstop rose rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US.
The brand launched in the UK market in 2018, and into Ireland last year, and now operates more than 85 locations.
Wingstop is opening in Manchester Arndale
Wingstop will be moving into the 5,928 sq ft unit upstairs in Manchester Arndale, just opposite Next.
Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wingstop to our vibrant F&B offer; an addition we’re sure will resonate with our younger visitors.
“With the additions of popular restaurant chains like Wingstop, coupled with the arrival of new retailers such as Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Pro:Direct and Sephora, we are strategically creating a destination where people across the North West and beyond want to spend their time.”
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “Wingstop will join Manchester Arndale’s varied F&B mix, including Popeyes, Sides, Hotel Chocolat, Joe & The Juice and Café Nero.
“In-demand operators like this help create energy and momentum that allows the brands across the scheme to thrive, driving increased footfall, longer dwell times and a more compelling offer for visitors.”
Daisy Jackson -
12th February 2024 
