We know Sunday roasts very much fall into the ‘if ain’t broke don’t fix it’ category of British food -and rightly so, they’re absolutely glorious – but every now and again they’re made fresh and exciting again, and that’s exactly what Maray have done with theirs.
Plus, who on Earth is ignoring a FREE roast dinner?
That’s right, not only are Maray’s incredible Middle-Eastern twists on the classic carvery combination of lovingly cooked joints of meat, exquisitely cooked vegetables and their take on firm favourites like the potato (the best bit, let’s be honest), but they’re also going to be dishing them out for absolutely nothing.
What better way to celebrate one of the best Sunday roasts in Manchester than by serving up heaping plates at absolutely no cost to the hordes of customers bound to line up regardless?
Now, if you’re wondering what exactly it is that makes a Sunday roast from Maray so special and, crucially, showcases those Middle-Eastern influences, then let us tell you: crispy fenugreek roasties, butternut squash Tershi and, the true star of the show, the truly immense protein options.
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Whether you want a simple roast beef picanha sirloin that would slot in perfectly on any roast dinner around the country, a spiced chickpea nut roast for the plant-free patrons, or the quite frankly stunning lemon, za’atar and saffron spiced chicken, either way, your collective mouths will be absolutely singing.
But they’re doing much more than just the standard staples of a Sunday plate. Along with proper Yorkshire puddings as big as your head and the addition of the new ‘disco’ cauliflower cheese side, you can also start and end your meal with a true taste of the East.
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Be it a selection of traditional mezze such as whipped goats’ cheese with pickled apple, dukkah and basil oil; creamy hummus, complemented with aromatic falafels or scooped up with soft flatbreads to start, or the peoples’ favourite Baklava cheesecake whilst polishing off a bottle of red, Sunday truly is a holy day once again.
As for copping a complimentary one, it’s all very straightforward…
Waves of free Sunday roasts will be dished up by the staff at Maray over on 14 Brazennose St (just between Albert and Lincoln Square) on a first-come-first-served basis from midday on 22 September.
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It’s strictly no bookings, just walk-ins and they’ll be giving away the freebies until they run out, so you best get there early to secure a spot and some Sunday goodness.
The same deal is happening over in Liverpool a week later their roast offerings will be available at each restaurant from these respective dates onwards starting from £19pp. Simple as that.
There’s a reason this roast was named one of the best in the country back in January – it genuinely lives up to the hype and it’s definitely the go-to option if you’re looking to mix up your roast dinner game. Don’t miss out, seriously.
Award-winning Manchester cocktail bar Red Light announces surprise return in new location
Daisy Jackson
Red Light, an award-winning cocktail bar that closed its doors earlier this year, has announced it’s making a grand return.
The celebrated watering hole had been at Kampus in the city centre for three years before it closed for good in August.
But now, in news that will thrill a lot of us in Manchester, the bar has announced it’s returning, with plenty of new ’surprises’ to come.
Announcing Red Light 2.0 this evening, they revealed a brand-new location, with all the cocktails we all loved before, plus a new bar snack offering.
Also new with its reopening will be a dedicated clubbing space (operating in a residential area was one of the reasons Red Light closed at Kampus) and the return of its legendary street parties.
They said: “Your love and support has meant the absolute world to us since we closed the doors to our Kampus venue.
“It’s been a tricky secret to keep but we’re thrilled to share that we’re back and in a brand new location!
“This one feels special, it’s not often you get a second chance at things in the current climate.”
They added: “We can’t wait to welcome you with open arms. Red Light NQ. LETS GO BABY!”
Although they’ve not announced the location, they have teased some pictures – and unless we’re very much mistaken, they’ll be moving into Tariff Street, in the old El Capo site.
Chinatown restaurant pleads for help after dine-and-dash customer leaves staff member in A&E
Daisy Jackson
A brilliant restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown has shared CCTV and a heartfelt appeal after one of its staff members was left in A&E.
Noodle Alley shared that one of its young staff members chased after a group of dine-and-dash customers who’d left without paying for their meal.
The restaurant then said that she was ‘assaulted’ at some point in the chase and ended up in A&E.
In their statement, Noodle Alley said that the staff member ‘had treated them kindly and never expected that kindness to come back to her like this’.
They wrote: “What has this world come to? A violent man sent our staff to A&E over an unpaid meal.”
The CCTV shows a group of three young men, all carrying Selfridges shopping bags, entering the restaurant.
They sit and enjoy a meal, before two of them slip out of the restaurant. The third man then exits but is chased by a Noodle Alley staff member.
It’s at this point – out of the range of the restaurant’s CCTV – that they said she was assaulted ‘after going beyond her duty to try and recover what had been taken’.
The family business said that she has been ’emotionally affected’ by the incident.
The police are involved and the restaurant has appealed for anyone who can help with their investigation to get in touch.
It’s also the second time they’ve appealed about a dine-and-dash customer in the last few months, but this incident went ‘far beyond’ previous incidents.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley said: “We’re a small family business, and lately it feels like small businesses are being targeted again and again.
“But this time, it went far beyond anything we have experienced before.
“One of our young staff members — a girl simply doing her job — was assaulted after going beyond her duty to try to recover what had been taken from our restaurant. She ended up in A&E.
“What hurts us most is seeing how emotionally affected she has been by what happened. She told us she had treated them kindly and never expected that kindness to come back to her like this.
“We work hard to look after our staff and our customers, and nobody should have to go through this simply for doing their job.
“We have reported the incident to the police.
“If anyone recognises these individuals or has any information that could help the police with their investigation, please contact us or the police directly.
“We’re sharing this because we believe our staff deserve to feel safe at work.”
Danny Jones -
9th September 2024 
