Greater Manchester cafe Grandpa Greene’s has brought back its epic Easter egg hot chocolate for 2022 and this year, it’s looking better than ever.
The popular canalside ice cream parlour and cafe in Diggle, Saddleworth, has teamed up with beloved local chocolatier Slattery’s to give the people what they want.
This year, they’ve updated their original hot chocolate recipe and it now comes with a full Slattery Easter egg, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and mini eggs.
What more could you possibly want from an Easter treat?
Image: Grandpa Greene’s
Available at the cafe from now through to the Easter weekend itself, the fan favourite comes served in a huge Grandpa Greene’s cup and topped with a Slattery’s egg, cracked in half and stuffed with all the sweet goodies your heart could possibly desire.
There’s plenty more for sweet tooths to enjoy here, too. Open seven days a week with service running from brunch through to dinner and tea, you can sample a huge range of homemade, luxury ice creams in flavours like blackcurrant and liquorice, honeycomb and cookies and cream.
In total, there are 32 different flavours to choose from – including vegan-friendly ice creams and sorbets.
Elsewhere, you’ll find indulgent ice cream sundaes, stacked plates of waffles and pancakes, grilled cheese and other artisan sandwiches, bread bowls and more.
Image: Grandpa Greene’s
Great for all the family (dogs included), across the way an obstacle adventure course is on hand to entertain the little ones – or alternatively, you can opt to take a stroll down the waterside and soak in the countryside surroundings of Saddleworth.
For indoor dining, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance but al fresco dining is open to walk ins if you feel like turning up on a spontaneous one.
To find out more and book, head over to Grandpa Greene’s website here.
Feature image – Grandpa Greene’s
Eats
Indian street food spot serving foot-long naan wraps announces closure
Daisy Jackson
A lunchtime takeaway spot known for its foot-long naan wraps has announced its closure in Manchester.
Rola Wala, which only opened 18 months ago in the heart of Deansgate, said it’s ‘walking away proud’ from its venture in the city.
Rola Wala is a hugely popular lunch spot in Leeds and chose Manchester for its second location last November.
On the menu are filling rice bowls, curries and wraps, as well as build-your-own naan rolls filled with authentically spiced Indian fillings.
The brand was founded by Mark Wright (no, not that one) as a street food stall in London and quickly expanded.
But its Manchester location is soon to be no more, closing for good at the end of this year.
They wrote: “Manchester, it’s been real. We’re walking away proud — and already working on what’s next.
Rola Wala has announced its closure in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
“Something that fits who we are, and where we’re going. Thank you for the love, the queues, and the fire.
“This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the start of something new.”
They added that the Leeds Rola Wala is open and trading as normal.
They finished their statement with: “Manchester – Closing Friday 27th @11pm – See you in store for one last Rola this week xxx”
One person commented on the Rola Wala post on Instagram: “Nooooo. I only got to try recently. Devastated as it was so good.”
Another said: “Always in awe of your dignity, Mark. Wishing you the best for the next steps forward.”
Highballer – Stockport’s new bar from the brains behind Cherry Jam
Danny Jones
Stockport is riding a real wave of excitement right now, and aside from being dubbed ‘the new Berlin’ a couple of years back, it’s also enjoying a big bar boom right now: case and point, Highballer, which has just been opened by the blokes behind a familiar local name.
Given the experience behind this new venture, we have a feeling this one could finally stick for what has proved to be a tricky unit in the past.
Created by Neil Garner – the man behind charming indie bar champions, Cherry Jam – Highballer is another music-forward venue from a team with experience across both industries.
Looking to carry on where Amp, Dr Feelgood and even Remedy Bar left off before them, Highballer is the latest watering hole to appear inside 11 Market Place following a successful pop-up earlier this year.
No, it’s not the ‘Gary the Gorilla’, sorry – but it does give a nice little nod to Almost Famous. (Credit: Highballer)
With Amp closing at the start of the year, Garner saw the opportunity to step in turn the place into something familiar but new, promising more music, karaoke and bandaoke; a fresh new food menu, darts, pool and even the classic American lawn game, cornhole.
Having already opened earlier this month, toasting the arrival with a bonus Oasis reunion launch party on Friday, 20 June, the crowds are already starting to return. As for Garner, he brings an incredible pedigree to the new project.
A world champion flair bartender boasting 28 years in hospitality, he’s worked in over 100 countries, including time as a Las Vegas performer, not to mention holding a Guinness World Record and coming runner-up on Britain’s Got Talent as the founder-creator of entertainment act, ‘Barwizards’.
During his time down south, he also created the UK’s first adult playground called Roof East in London, which was ultimately sold a decade after winning Britain’s Best Outdoor Experience in 2024.
With his baby and the neighbouring bar Cherry Jam located literally just around the corner and down the brow, the reputation is already there, hence why it was busy from minute one.
Highballer sitting pretty in the shadow of two famous Stockport landmarks. (Credit: Supplied)
Stockport town centre has plenty of new pub and bar openings, from the resurrection of the old White Lion this time last year and the recently debuted Underbank, to fellow newcomer Fitzpatrick’s (formerly Bask), so it’s nice to see yet another one added into the mix.
Before Highballer, Neil spent years behind the scenes at some of the UK’s biggest festivals, running the backstage bars in the mid-noughties for events like Reading and Leeds Festival, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and even Coachella.
In terms of food, he also spent time living in Seoul, where he developed a serious love for Korean, meaning that their collab with Manc favourites BAB was a natural fit.
On the menu you’ll find:
Korean Fried Chicken – crispy and packed with flavour
Loaded Fries – choose between pulled pork or spicy grilled chicken
Cauliflower Bites – crispy and full of spice
Gochujang Mac n’ Cheese – creamy and with a kick
Korean Cheese Corndogs
Korean Grilled Cheese
BAB MCR have come to Stockport to lend their talents to Highballer. (Credit: Supplied)
With ‘power hour’ karaoke sessions, Vimto mojitos named not just after the drink but the giant gorilla bouncer sat outside (great name), not to mention a big terrace to bring those beer garden vibes, they’ve got all the ingredients for an instant hit.
Oh, did we mention there are drink deals all week long? Well, there are. Cheers to that. Speaking to The Manc, Garner kept things short and sweet as he’s confident the product will do the talking, but admitted he’s “buzzing” to be opening another venue in the borough.
Balancing live music, entertainment, and hospitality is a tall order for anyone, but with the expertise behind this place, it stands as much of a fighting chance as everyone else.
It’s been a big couple of weeks for food and drink in Stockport.
Georgina Pellant -
24th February 2022 
