Big Mamma Group has finally announced it’s heading up north, opening a lavish Circolo Popolare restaurant here in Manchester.
These much-loved Italian restaurants are dotted all over Europe at this point, including beautiful spaces in London, Barcelona, Milan and Brussels.
These restaurants might catch your eye with their extravagant interiors but it’s their authentic, homemade Italian food and exceptional produce that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Inside each restaurant in the Big Mamma Group you’ll find maximalist interiors dialled up to maximum – if it’s patterned, colourful, shiny or textured (or ideally, all of the above at once), it’s hitting the Big Mamma interior design brief.
The result is joyful, decadent, escapist restaurants that’ll do their best to whisk you off on an Italian escape without leaving the vicinity of Deansgate.
Big Mamma’s first foray into Manchester will see them open a Circolo Popolare at St Michael’s, Gary Neville’s landmark £400m development.
Big Mamma is coming to Manchester. Credit: Jerome GallandA Big Mamma restaurant in Hamburg. Credit: Jerome Galland
Expect glinting bottle walls as you make your way into the jasmine-clad, 280-cover trattoria, inspired by the island of Sardinia.
The decor here will involve masses of antique trinkets, testa di moro (authentic ceramic busts), and even an Italian wishing well.
They say the space will be adorned with festoon lights and a eucalyptus-clad ceiling, so you’ll feel as though you’ve stumbled into an overgrown, lush courtyard.
Big Mamma is embracing the rain and heading to Manchester with Circolo Popolare. Credit: Supplied
Upstairs is the ‘villa hideaway’, a cosy terracotta den where you can see head chef Alfonso cooking British seafood on the grill at the kitchen counter.
The menu will also feature Neapolitan pizza, which you can order half-and-half with your amici.
Big Mamma has pulled together its largest-ever selection of produce sourced from 170 family-run Italian artisans, ranging from Puglian burrata to Parma prosciutto.
There’ll be a three litre bottle of Amaro roaming the restaurant ready to pour you a shot, plus XL jugged cocktails.
And as for desserts, expect pistachio tiramisu scooped table side (or order the full tray).
Circolo Popolare from Big Mamma Group will open at St Michael’s in Manchester this June.
Tiny Manchester pub brilliantly condemns ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Daisy Jackson
A micropub in Manchester city centre has spoken out about an ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech.
The Victoria Tap, a tiny little boozer at Manchester Victoria train station, strongly condemned any racist, homophobic or sexist conversations taking place in its venue.
The pub said ‘there is absolutely no room for it’ within its walls.
In a statement – which has been met with praise from customers and followers – they added that anyone bringing hate speech to the pub ‘can let the door kick you on the way out’.
The Victoria Tap wrote: “We’ve noticed an alarming rise in racist, homophobic and sexist slurs/comments/conversations lately and we just want to say that there is absolutely no room for it here.
“This is a safe space for everyone.
“If you, or someone in your group, want to disturb this philosophy, you can let the door kick you on the way out.”
The Victoria Tap has brilliantly condemned ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Praising their statement, one person wrote: “Great to read this. There is NO place for this. All public spaces should be welcoming.”
Another said: “Pubs should be welcoming environments for people of all walks of life. There’s no room for misogyny, racism or discrimination of any kind. Those who espouse those thoughts need a good hard look in the mirror.”
Someone else commented: “That’s how I see the Vic Tap. Great place for a safe quiet pint. Keep up the great work guys as it’s a fantastic venue.”
The Victoria Tap opened at Manchester Victoria back in 2023, completely transforming a space that was previously a bin store.
As well as its cosy interior, it has a small beer garden which overlooks the tram tracks in and out of the train station.
It’s operated by the same team behind the Piccadilly Tap and the even newer Oxford Tap.
We know exactly where we’ll be heading for our next pint now. Good work, Victoria Tap.
Luxury Manchester steak restaurant launches bottomless brunch with endless rosé
Daisy Jackson
One of the newest luxury restaurants in Manchester is bringing back its suitably luxury bottomless brunch, with endless rosé and champagne.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch, where you can sip on never-ending Whispering Angel Rosé while tucking into a flat iron steak.
And if you’re not fussed about the food and just want to indulge in 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon Champagne in a beautiful setting, there are bar-only tables available too, which come with complimentary black truffle crisps.
The whole thing will be soundtracked by a live DJ, dancers, and more.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch
Its bottomless brunch launched over the previous bank holidays and will be back again this August for one day only.
You can choose from bottomless Whispering Angel, Moët & Chandon Champagne, or both.
And dishes from the Cut & Craft bottomless brunch set menu include flat iron steak and chips; halloumi, steak or prawn fajitas; and grilled peach salad.
Each booking gets you 90 minutes of bottomless, with extra nibbles available like freshly shucked Carlingford oysters, caviar, olives, salted almonds, and more.
Whispering Angel tickets are £55 for bar, or £75 for restaurant.
Champagne AND Whispering Angel tickets are £80 at the bar or £100 in the restaurant.
Daisy Jackson -
4th March 2025 
