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The Manc -
4th February 2020
The Manc -
4th February 2020 Eats
French fine dining spot 63 Degrees confirms closure after 14 years
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s long-standing French bistros, 63 Degrees, has now announced the business has closed its doors for good after nearly a decade and a half in the city centre.
The family-run fine dining destination first opened back in 2011, but after closing over the most recent festive period and despite all of us hoping and praying this year would be a healthier one for hospitality, they have become the sector’s latest casualty.
Having been one of the few classical spots of its kind left in central Manchester, not to mention boasting a spot on the Michelin guide, it’s a huge loss for Manchester food and drink.
The team have been silent on socials since August 2023 and no one needs any reminder of how challenging the industry is right now, so closures like these don’t exactly come as a surprise anymore, but it seems another big factor was at the heart of the decision.
Confirming the news to Manchester Confidential, 63 Degrees confirmed that their Christmas hiatus has now become permanent as many had suspected, with the highly-rated Northern Quarter spot closed permanently as of this week.
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Founder Alexandre Moreau said that his parents, Head Chef Eric and mother Florence, have now returned to France following a period of ill health.
Speaking to the outlet, Moreau added: “I’m glad my parents have retired now. My dad was spending six days a week in the kitchen and got to the point where his whole body was hurting. He had a hard time finding people he could trust in the kitchen so he could not delegate that much.
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“My mum’s health got worse in November last year so they decided it was time to stop and go back to France. Nothing you can do, unfortunately. Life will do that to all of us at some point.”
Revealing that the lease has now been handed over to the landlord, he signed off by stating, “They had a great run, but it’s a difficult job at that age.”
Shining not only as one of the few places left that still served traditional haute cuisine in our region but emerging as one of the spots that helped put NQ’s now thriving foodie scene on the map back in the day, we couldn’t think of a more fitting image to part on than this one:
Read more:
- You can design Manchester-born pizza giants Rudy’s next creation
- Five Manchester bars have just been named in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars
- Beloved Manchester street food venue Grub shares major update on its future
We wish Alexandre and Eric all the best, as well as a speedy recovery to Florence back home, and sincerely hope they get to enjoy a slower pace of life after years of service and outstanding contribution to the world of Manc dining.
Unfortunately, 63 Degrees is just one of the most recent Manchester restaurants that have closed; we’re not even in mid-February yet and we’re already losing count of how many of these pieces we’ve had to write for various reasons.
That being said, the general consensus seems to be that it is impossibly hard for local businesses to keep afloat under the constant pressure of rising energy bills, business rates and a cost of living crisis that is preventing people from being able to eat out.
If institutions such as this and the likes of Almost Famous are struggling to survive, how on Earth can those much earlier into their journey be expected to survive? They need help and fast.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group
Eats
You can design Manchester-born pizza giants Rudy’s next creation
Danny Jones
Ever completed what feels like the entire Rudy’s menu twice over and had to resist the urge ask if you could design your own perfect pizza?
No, seriously: we’re asking the question because it’s something we’ve genuinely thought of before.
Don’t get us wrong, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza remains one of the GOATs not just in Manchester, the North and the UK but Europe as a whole – look it up – and they do update their menus from time to time, we’re greedy little sods that always want more choice when it comes to food.
Thankfully, the ever-growing Rudy’s empire is giving us and, more importantly, you the chance to do just that by bringing back their Pizza Specials competiton back for 2025. In case it wasn’t abundantly clear what that means already, watch this:
Yes, you can leave your mark on the Manc pizza world is one of the biggest ways imaginable by taking part in this once in a lifetime opportunity: the chance to get your pizza creation on the official Rudy’s menu for all to enjoy.
To be in with a chance of winning, budding pizza aficionados can roll up their sleeves and submit their pizza creation by 9 March, when entries will be judged on creativity, adherence to Neapolitan style, seasonality, taste and marketability.
The top two finalists will then be invited to Rudy’s Academy on Portland Street in Manchester on Wednesday, 2 April, where they’ll learn the secrets behind Rudy’s extremely consistent and renowned food before battling it out in front of expert judges.
Even better still, teaming up with at home pizza oven specialists Ooni and woodfired brand Napoli On The Road this year, not only will the public get to try you pizza but you’ll also be walking home with an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven as well as a ‘La Famiglia’ (the family) card.
In case you wondering exactly what that entails, how does two free pizzas every week for a whole Rudy year sound? Dreamy? Yep, thought so, now stop screaming.
For instance, you could get their latest exclusive special, the White Capricciosa – available until locations until 3 March – TWICE every week for 52 delicious whole weeks.
Sorrentina Fior Di Latte, Artichokes, Wild Mushrooms, Emilia-Romagna Prosciutto, Black Olive Crumb, and Truffle Oil. We think a part of us may have just actually died and gone to pizza heaven…
Rudy’s is always doing special and inventive promtions like this, be it swapping Christmas toys for pizza during the festive season, giving away a black card; leap year giveaways and even fashion collabs; they’re about much more than just their authentic, floppy Neapolitan slices these days.
But, you know, the pizza is still really bloody good and your creation could be among them.
Read more:
- ‘It means everything’: Skof chef Tom Barnes speaks on historic Michelin star win
- Beloved Manchester street food venue Grub shares major update on its future
- Manchester’s Freight Island is expanding into the North East
The process is simple: list the ingredients of your pizza in as much detail as you can, give it an attention-grabbing name (of course), explain your reasons behind the recipe and even upload a photo if you like, then just keep your fingers crossed.
Once again, the competition to design your own Rudy’s pizza ends on Sunday, 9 March, so don’t wait around to be the Manchester’s next great pizzaiolo.
Submit your Rudy’s pizza creations HERE and buona fortuna – we’re rooting for you!
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Eats/Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza (supplied)
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