Long-standing food and drink spot Cottonopolis may be coming to an end as we know but it has now been confirmed that the location will soon reopen as a brand new public house and grill concept known as The Lamb of Tartary.
Cottonopolis confirmed its closure at the start of 2024 after an eight-year stay as one of the Northern Quarter institution’s best-known restaurants but it has now been confirmed that a new bar and grill will take its place and is set to become an “unrecognisable space”.
Headed up by the award-winning team behind Edinburgh Castle over in Ancoats, named one of the best gastropubs anywhere in the UK, the reinvention will promise customers a place to sit and enjoy a pint with friends, watch the sports or dive into a delicious plate of food.
Executive Chef, Shaun Moffat has established his name across the country before settling first in Manchester at Edinburgh Castle, and his new vision is said to feature an all-day dining menu, exemplifying accessible British seasonal dishes spanning from brunch and small plates to Sunday roasts.
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Moffat, whose style focuses on ‘nose-to-tail’ eating absolutely epitomises the North’s food culture. Speaking on the imminent opening, he said: “It’s an exciting time for the team to be working on this new project at The Lamb of Tartary.
“We all loved Cottonopolis and will miss it dearly, however, we are looking forward to launching this new concept to fall in line with the success we’ve achieved at the Edinburgh Castle.
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“The Lamb of Tartary will be a slightly more casual affair whilst still championing the produce and suppliers we’ve spent the last year or so building up.”
The new logo.‘Head to tail’ is at the cornerstone of their cuisine.They aren’t giving much away about what this place is going to look like beyond a nod to their philosophy. (Credit: Supplied)
He went on to add that he and his team “will continue to utilise the best produce to create new favourite dishes and modern takes on classics, and as a result, allow us to offer an exciting food and drink concept.”
The Grade II listed former cotton warehouse will be totally transformed into a cosy, traditional space, boasting a massive selection of 24 tap beers and plans to show all the major sporting events throughout the year, including the likes of Six Nations, this summer’s Euro 2024, Wimbledon and more.
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Local favourites Manchester Union Lager and Cask Beer from Buxton Brewery and Mobberley Brewhouse will also form part of the bar’s lineup.
The vibe might be a fairly far cry away from its predecessor but there will still be plenty of continuation when it comes to local themes, as well as seemingly offering a more accessible dining and drinking experience, by the sounds of it.
A public house serving proper bistro food with a local focus. You won’t find any of us complaining about that combo.
Cottonopolis passes the torch in more ways than one too, with the new name continuing to pay homage to Manchester’s history of cotton, deriving from an old legend from the Middle Ages in which people believed that lambs came from the cotton plant.
In mythology, the Lamb of Tartary is believed to be both a true animal and a living plant. Imagine the lamb as if it is grown as a fruit, propped up above the ground and connected by the stem, almost like an umbilical cord.
The lamb would be able to graze the grass around the plant for food and when all accessible foliage was gone the pair would die. An interesting concept to build, we’ll give them that and we can’t wait to see how the place is reborn.
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It isn’t the only Greater Manchester hospitality news we’ll be keeping an eye on either as beloved Chorlton food spot The Thirsty Korean has revealed it will be closing its current restaurant and hopefully finding new premises sooner rather than later.
Mongrel – New taproom and pizzeria set to move into the former Street Urchin site
Daisy Jackson
A brand new taproom, coffee shop and pizzeria concept has announced plans to move into Ancoats.
Mongrel will come from the same team behind Crust, a much-raved-about pizza joint that operated off a Stockport industrial estate until earlier this year.
They’ve now confirmed they have their sights set on the city centre, specially the magnificent corner unit that was previously home to the beloved Street Urchin.
Street Urchin suddenly closed earlier this year after co-founder and head chef Kevin suffered a heart attack, leaving them ‘unable to continue as a business’.
Rachel Choudhary, Kevin’s partner and co-founder of the neighbourhood restaurant, wrote at the time that they were ‘heartbroken’ to close the business.
Street Urchin was quietly one of the top restaurants in Ancoats and operated in a market diner fashion, creatively cooking the best catch of the day for an ever-changing menu that honoured each season.
Thankfully, this key corner unit won’t be quiet for much longer, with another local operator now lined up to move in.
Inside Street Urchin before its closure – the site will now become a pizzeria called Mongrel. Credit: The Manc Group
Mongrel has so far shared that it’s set to be a ‘coffee shop, pizza place and taproom, all under one roof’.
Upon closing Crust in Stockport they confirmed this will be ‘a huge step up from the Crüst you know and love’.
They posted on Instagram: “Thanks to everyone who’s popped down over the last year. We’re eternally grateful for the support from our fantastic customers, and will look back on this period with huge gratitude.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce our departure from Stockport. We know this will come as a disappointment to our Crüst family – we haven’t made this decision lightly.
“We have been looking for a new premesis in Stockport for a while, however after multiple applications going nowhere, we have finally found a new home in Manchester City Center!
“Our new home will be a huge step up from the Crüst you know and love… We can’t to reveal what’s to come!
Mongrel is set to open its taproom and pizzeria on Great Ancoats Street, in the former Street Urchin site, in November.
Legendary Borough Market doughnut bakery Bread Ahead is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Bread Ahead – creators of the cult creme brulee doughnuts – is finally coming to Manchester (and soon).
The doughnut bakery is one of the most famous traders at Borough Market in London thanks to its artisan dough, classic fillings, and creative specials.
And to celebrate its arrival into the North, Bread Ahead will be giving away 1,000 free doughnuts across its first two days in Manchester.
The Borough Market bakery institution has announced a three-month stint inside Harvey Nichols, where Mancs will be able to pick up flavours including their world-famous creme brulee doughnut, a custard-filled beauty with a crunchy torched brown sugar top.
That particular flavour is so popular, they sell around 5,000 daily down in London.
Other Bread Ahead doughnuts include vanilla, jam, sea salted caramel, pistachio, and regional/seasonal specials like pumpkin creme brulee, smores, lemon curd, coconut, and blackcurrant cheesecake.
The giveaway of 1,000 free doughnuts will start at 10am on Monday 3 November, with 500 handed out while stocks last.
Bread Ahead is bringing its legendary doughnuts to Manchester for the first time
Then on Tuesday 4 November there’ll be another 500 up for grabs on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Founder Matthew Jones says: “We’ve long wanted to branch out regionally, and this felt like the perfect way to do it.
“Baking and education are so important to us, so we’re really excited to bring our doughnuts to the people of Manchester and thrilled to be working with Harvey Nichols.
“We hope this is just the first of many visits – there’s so much more to come!”
The creme brulee doughnuts from Bread Ahead are coming to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Gavin Hudson, General Manager at Harvey Nichols Manchester said: “Bread Ahead is a true institution in Borough Market, so when Matthew and the team got in touch, we knew that their offer would definitely resonate with our customers.
“We’re excited to be bringing their full selection of doughnut flavours to the city and we are sure that their trademark Crème Brûlée doughnut will become a firm favourite here too.”
Bread Ahead will open at Harvey Nichols Manchester from Monday 3 November.
Harry Quick -
12th January 2024 
