Acclaimed local chef Mary-Ellen McTague has revealed details of the first restaurant at the huge new Treehouse Hotel.
She will open Pip, a restaurant that will celebrate seasonal, low-waste cooking, on the ground floor of the landmark new hotel.
This is the first of three restaurant concepts to be announced at Treehouse Hotel, which is taking shape on the site of the former long-standing Deansgate hotel the Renaissance.
When it’s completed later this summer, Treehouse Hotel will have 224 guest rooms, multiple event spaces, an expansive screening room, a gymnasium, and three unique restaurant and bar spaces – including the newly-announced Pip.
This first restaurant will be headed up by Manchester’s very own Mary-Ellen McTague, who’ll be doing what she does best – seasonal produce that celebrates the finest produce from around the North West, as sustainably as possible.
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Over her 20 years in the hospitality industry, Mary-Ellen has worked alongside Heston Blumenthal at his esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants, The Fat Duck and The Hinds Head, as well as founding EatWellMCR.
At Pip, diners can expect dishes that reimagine the potential of each ingredient served through from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a convenient grab-and-go option.
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Treehouse Hotel has confirmed details of its first restaurant, and a summer opening date. Credit: Supplied
She’ll be sourcing ingredients – sometimes unconventional ones – from local farms, and suppliers like Littlewoods Butchers, Cinderwood Market Garden, Organic North, Courtyard Dairy, and Platt Fields Market Garden.
Dish highlights include Carlingford oysters with fennel kimchi liquor; home-smoked mackerel with pickled beets, mustard cream, and rye; Lancashire hotpot with pickled red cabbage and oyster ketchup; and Rhubarb fool with olive oil biscuits.
Commenting on her new restaurant opening, Mary-Ellen McTague said: “I’m thrilled to bring Pip to life at Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
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“This restaurant is a celebration of everything I am passionate about – seasonal, low-waste cooking, and the incredible produce we have here in the North West.
Brilliant Manchester chef Mary-Ellen McTague will be behind the first restaurant at Treehouse Hotel. Credit: Jody Hartley
“The menu is designed to showcase the best of our local culinary heritage, using modern techniques that make the most of every single ingredient. I cannot wait to share our vision for Pip with the Manchester community and beyond.”
Treehouse Hotel Manchester itself will be the second property under the same brand, which says it takes its playful inspiration through the lens of childhood.
Commenting on the first restaurant to open at the hotel, Tim Reynolds, general manager of Treehouse Hotel Manchester, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Pip to Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
“Mary-Ellen’s innovative approach to low-waste cooking and her dedication to using locally sourced ingredients align perfectly with our values. We look forward to offering our guests an extraordinary dining experience that reflects the vibrant spirit of Manchester.”
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Pip will welcome guests in late summer, alongside the opening of Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s popular luxury steam train dining experiences to run throughout summer
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
It’s no secret that East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is known and loved for its immersive events that give rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on one of the historic Pullman-style carriages and ride a steam train through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
Wizards, Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs, and Peppa Pig-themed train rides are just a few of the events that have been entertaining families in the region over the last few years.
But for the grown-ups, how does getting the chance to tuck into a four-course luxury meal sound?
East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are here to stay this summer / Credit: ELR
That’s right, the Red Rose Diners are here to stay this summer.
Undoubtably indulgent and described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, ELR’s Red Rose Diners are unlike any other fine dining affair on offer in our region, as passengers are not only treated to a proper fancy feast while they’re aboard, but also to polished panelling, luxurious seating, and crisp linens too.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays all throughout the summer months, the Red Rose Diner experience starts with a glass of fizz and then stretches over an almost three-hour train journey through the Irwell Valley.
It includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
They’re described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience” / Credit: ELR
Each party has their own personal waiter tending to them throughout the course of the evening, so you can fully relax knowing every aspect of your experience will be catered for to the highest of standards.
If you’re looking for something even more special, then a ‘Premium Night’ – which is one step up from the Red Rose Diners, and only runs on a handful of selected dates throughout the year – will take place on Saturday 13 July, so bring your best black tie attire and expect an evening of serious elegance for a night of the finest food and entertainment.
Fine dining not really your thing though?
ELR has a handful of other special experiences in the calendar for the summer – including Afternoon Teas, Lancastrian Lunches, and even a gin-tasting night, so there’s something for everyone.
You can find out more about the Red Rose Diners and other experiences this summer, and book your tickets, over on the ELR website here.
Featured Image – ELR
Eats
Häagen-Dazs is handing out FREE ice cream in Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Fancy a summery sweet treat? Häagen-Dazs will he handing out free ice cream in Manchester this weekend.
Ahead of what is set to be a busy season of sport, with events such as Wimbledon, the Olympics, and of course, UEFA Euro 2024 – which has already kicked off, and is now well underway – all in the calendar over the next couple of months, Häagen-Dazs has announced it’s heading out on tour for the summer to bring a bit of “alternative entertainment” to the UK’s biggest cities.
And what better way to kick things off than right here in Manchester?
Ice cream lovers who “aren’t too fussed by the footy” will be able to make the most of what the company is calling a “sanctuary of indulgence” down at Spinningfields Square, in the heart of the city centre, this weekend.
Häagen-Dazs is handing out free ice cream in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Häagen-Dazs UK (via Instagram)
All sounding set to be one of the sweetest pop-ups the city’s seen in a while, there’ll be deck chairs to lounge on, a disco van, a bunch of live performances, seasonal lawn games for all the family to get stuck into, and of course, some delicious ice cream to cool you down on what’s been a stunning week of sunshine for Greater Manchester.
With Englandhopefully set to play their first match in the Round of 16 at the Euros this weekend, anyone keen to escape the sports frenzy can nip to Spinningfields this Saturday (29 June) from 4-5pm for a free scoop of ice cream instead.
The ice cream brands disco van will be popping up in Spinningfields / Credit: Supplied
Belgian Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Strawberry Cheesecake will be just some of the indulgent Häagen-Dazs flavours on offer.
When it comes to the entertainment on the day, you can expect to see Britain’s Got Talent’s musical comedy finalist, the hilarious Micky P Kerr, take to the stage, as well as enjoy a DJ set from local artist, DJ Fastlove, on the rooftop of the disco ice cream van.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd May 2024 
