A small independent bakery in Manchester has been hit with its first one-star review – from a customer who hasn’t actually eaten there.
Factory Bake, which is a collaboration between Factory Coffee (home of Molly-Mae’s favourite coffee) and Wild Child Cakes, has taken the negative feedback very well though.
They wrote: “We’ve officially made it guys! Our first 1 star review!”
The lovely bakery on King Street West makes everything on site from scratch, with highlights (though they change often) including mini roast chicken focaccia bites and whiskey salted caramel brownies.
But the customer who has hit them with a one-star review was impressed by none of this – and also ate none of it.
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They slammed Factory Bake for ‘never having anything decent available’ and said on their three visits there has only been two or three types of pastry behind the counter.
The reviewer also said that the bakes looked ‘as dry as the desert sand’ and said it could be renamed as ‘Pointless Baker’.
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But in a post on Instagram Factory Bake has clarified that the reason they ‘never have anything available’ is because they are consistently selling out, which is the ‘best thing ever’.
Factory Bake in Manchester has responded to its first one-star reviewThe reviewer slammed Factory Bake for ‘never having anything decent available’ Credit: The Manc Group
They also wrote: “We do hope in the future for other amazing businesses you visit, you at least try their goods before reviewing.”
One person commented: “The fact I had the exact opposite problem in that there was TOO much to choose from?! How on Earth can I just buy one thing when it all looks so delicious.”
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Someone else wrote: “Sounds like someone isn’t getting up early enough…”
And another said: “Yes! One less customer to fight for the goodies.”
Factory Bake shared on Instagram this week: “We’ve officially made it guys! Our first 1 star review!
“And to the customer in question all we can say is unfortunately we can’t apologise for selling out cause as a new little bakery this is the best thing ever!
“Though we do hope in the future for other amazing businesses you visit, you at least try their goods before reviewing. Cause our baker has a deep hatred for anything dry, which is why she usually slices up everything even when it’s still hot.”
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The one-star review said: “They could also rename it as pointless baker.
“I went there three times, and they never had anything decent available. Just 2-3 types of pastries that looked as dry as desert sand. Caffé Nero’s pastries look more inviting than theirs…and also has a better choice.
A restaurant in Manchester is hosting a bottomless carbonara night
Daisy Jackson
A restaurant in Manchester has announced its first-ever ‘Carbonara Night’, with unlimited helpings of the popular pasta dish.
The Pasta Factory on Shudehill will be inviting diners to tuck into bottomless carbonara, with the chance to eat it all for free.
The restaurant recently celebrated its 10th birthday in the city, where it’s been serving fresh pasta dishes made by hand every single day.
When The Pasta Factory first opened, it chose not to sell carbonara, worried that the traditional recipe (guanciale, egg yolk, cheese – and absolutely no cream) wouldn’t be to the taste of diners in Manchester.
But realising there was an appetite for authentic Italian cooking, carbonara has made its way onto the menu and become a firm favourite.
And now The Pasta Factory is hosting an entire night dedicated to this delicious pasta dish.
There’ll be bottomless carbonara being served up in this cosy corner of Manchester, for one night only this month.
Your booking will get you a table for 90 minutes, during which time you can order unlimited portions of carbonara.
And if you manage to eat more than five carbonaras, Pasta Factory will give you your meal for free.
The bottomless carbonara night at Pasta Factory in Manchester will take place on Wednesday 18 February, with tickets priced at £30 per night.
Inside Kouba, Deansgate Square’s stunning new Lebanese restaurant and shisha bar
Daisy Jackson
A stunning new Lebanese restaurant and shisha bar has opened at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers, with an iced latte tap, shisha bar, and all-day dining.
Kouba has taken over the former Salvi’s site in the glamorous neighbourhood, and just days after opening, it’s packed to the rafters.
The space has been transformed from family-style Italian restaurant into a Middle Eastern oasis.
Kouba operates as a three-in-one concept, doing coffees and brunches in the daytimes before transforming to a lively Lebanese restaurant by night.
It also has a sizeable terrace (blissfully weather-proof) which doubles up as a late-night shisha lounge, open into the early hours.
This newcomer to the city has already found fame online with moments like an indulgent iced salted brown butter oat latte, served from a tap (plus the whole menu of other iced drinks).
There’s also a sharing cheesecake for two that’s built before your eyes, and hot cookies with soft serve, alongside pastries from the award-winning La Chouquette bakery.
Brunch menu dishes will include signatures like the ‘Pocket Toast’, with fillings including smash burger, bacon and egg, and avocado and egg, alongside smoothies, juices and matchas.
As for the restaurant menu, there’ll be a full Lebanese food offering that includes hot and cold mezze, and Lebanese favourites like meshwi, lamb chops, and moussaka.
Click or swipe through the gallery below to see inside
Inside Kouba at Deansgate SquareThe iced latte tapThe private dining roomThe shisha loungeA full spread of foodThe coffee shop section of KoubaIced matcha and pastries from La ChouquetteDinner at KoubaCookies and soft serve
Kouba is now open and will be operational seven days a week from 8am-2am.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2024 
