Eats

Gino D’Acampo is opening a new Italian restaurant in Manchester

It will include an 80-seat alfresco all-weather terrace

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st December 2023

One of TV’s most recognisable chefs, Gino D’Acampo, has revealed plans to open a new ‘premium’ Italian restaurant in Manchester.

The chef will be staying in the same spot where his team currently operate the First Street Bar & Kitchen brand, but giving it an £800k refurbishment and rebrand.

The restaurant, at the Innside by Melia Manchester hotel, will soon operate under the name ‘Gino D’Acampo’.

The opening of Gino D’Acampo follows success for the same restaurant brand in Newcastle, Liverpool, London and Leeds, with three further UK sites planned for 2024.

He’s promising that the space will be chic and contemporary with ‘Gino’s signature feature wallpaper’ plus marble table tops, brass finishes, and space for 200 diners across the open-plan restaurant and bar.

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The restaurant’s transformation into Gino D’Acampo will include a new bar area with an island cocktail bar, and its own entrance and reception area, with a two-tier terrace.

It’s located in the First Street area, also home to HOME, Junkyard Golf, Bunny Jackson’s and the Gasworks Brew Bar.

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Phase two of the site’s makeover will see the 80-seat alfresco drinking and dining area turned into an all-weather terrace.

Dishes on the menu will include classic Italian plates and expert cocktails, with Italian wines and artisan beers.

Gino D'Acampo Liverpool as chef announces new Manchester restaurant
Gino D’Acampo Liverpool
Inside the Leeds branch of Gino D'Acampo as chef announces new Manchester restaurant
Inside the Leeds branch of Gino D’Acampo as chef announces new Manchester restaurant
Food at Gino D'Acampo in Leeds
Food at Gino D’Acampo in Leeds
Food at Gino D'Acampo in Leeds
Food at Gino D’Acampo in Leeds

Speaking on the announcement, Gino D’Acampo said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to announce plans for Gino D’Acampo at INNSiDE Manchester.

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“I have a long relationship with the city having opened one of my first restaurants here almost ten years ago and I’m delighted to return to the heart of Manchester, as planned.

“It has always been our intention to open a Gino here, at the beautiful INNSiDE Manchester hotel, and I’m looking forward to launching this early next year.

“The First Street area combines all that I love about Manchester – ease of reach to cool music venues, art, and culture. As an Italian with a love for alfresco dining, I’m looking forward to enjoying a real Neapolitan pizza and negroni (or two) on the terrace this summer. I hope to see you there.”

Garry Fortune, UK Director of Operations at Meliá Hotels International, added: “Gino and his team are a trusted and much respected partner with a proven track record for delivering on performance. We are thrilled to continue our work together with the opening of Gino D’Acampo Manchester, our third collaboration in the North.”

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it. 

The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure. 

Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap. 

And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.

Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub. 

As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots. 

There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet. 

Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Delicious spring drinks
Delicious spring drinks
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar

A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals. 

Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta. 

And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut. 

Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce. 

“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar. 

“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”

Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather! 

“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”

To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester

Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.

With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.

Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.

They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.

The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.

And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.

Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.

They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.

British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.

A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

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