Takeaway land in Greater Manchester is vast, diverse and highly populated.
One tap on the Deliveroo app and we’re abruptly inundated with dozens of delicious-looking food joints jostling for our appetites.
The Friday food order is invariably the first headache selection of the night (with the task of deciding on a Netflix movie coming later).
The trick for takeaways, of course, is to stand out from the crowd. And Icon Burgers seems to have found an excellent way in which to do exactly that.
This a restaurant that flips the concept of a typical burger on its head – from the ingredients used right down to the cooking process.
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The menu is populated by utterly unique dishes such the Green Burger – containing CBD with cannabis leaf; the Deep Fried Cheeseburger – prepared exactly how it sounds; and a Cheetoz Flamin Hot Burga – borrowing flavours from the fiery cheesy snack.
There’s also the 1 on 1 Burger which combines chicken with beef; the Double Bluff that hits the spot for vegans; and the Philly Cheese Steak and Shredded Beef Steak items which take inspiration from cuisine across the world.
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Indeed, Icon Burgers is seemingly one of the most truly global restaurants in Manchester – bringing in its top-quality sauce from Belgium; brioche buns from France; and internationally-imported drinks and sweets.
The brand itself was actually born on the other side of the pennines, but has now branched out following a wildly successful chapter in Huddersfield – setting up shop at Brickhouse Social on New Wakefield Street in Manchester city centre.
All the patties are made using 35-day dry aged Black Angus, with Icon promising a recipe that is ‘impossible to replicate’.
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The restaurant also offers an American-style desserts menu with all items freshly-baked to order – including quarter pound cookies oozing with gooey chocolate and trans-Atlantic candies which can be made into real American Milkshakes.
“Since bringing Icon to Manchester we have seen an immense buzz on social media, and on the ordering platforms,” say the owners.
Easy to see why.
There’s no other burger place in Manchester quite like this.
Icon Burgers is open from 5pm-11pm Sunday to Thursday and 5pm to 2am on Friday and Saturday.
Available on UberEats, Deliveroo, and via phone orders for collections.
Eats
The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
The Manc -
12th February 2021 
