It’s been one of the most talked-about restaurant openings of the year, and in the run-up to Fenix’s launch, everyone’s been talking about that interior.
The lavish new Greek-Mediterranean restaurant comes from the same team behind Tattu, so we were all already anticipating another impeccably-designed space.
And Fenix is already living up to expectations.
Its inspiration comes from the beautiful island of Mykonos, from the driftwood dining chairs and stunning stone floors to huge plumes of grasses and carved stone walls.
No expense has been spared on making this a world-class venue.
Cutting-edge lighting transforms the atmosphere from warm, sunlit beach bar to a moonlit restaurant space.
Stonewashed arches soar overheard with a ceiling covered in golden grasses.
Diners enter the space on the ground floor into the bar area, where clever illusions make it seem as though a wall of fire is flickering above the huge selection of spirits.
The restaurant space at Fenix. Credit: The Manc Group
A spiral staircase surrounds a giant olive tree and leads up to the main restaurant space, with an open kitchen where diners can see the chefs preparing Fenix’s contemporary Greek food.
Also on offer are a wealth of pasta and rice dishes, a ‘Raw’ menu including Sea Bass ceviche and steak tartare, clay pot roasted leg of lamb folded in vine leaves, and Tiger prawns with yuzu sauce.
To compliment Fenix’s food offering, the site will also be home to one of the city’s best bars, headed up by Will Meredith.
Fenix is opening in SpinningfieldsDownstairs in Fenix, ManchesterDownstairs in Fenix, Manchester
The ground floor will be transformed into a vibrant luxury drinking den, with live DJs and service running into the evening.
Will has drawn inspiration from his Greek heritage and the stories of ancient Greece to create a drinks menu that splits into four sections: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
Each of the 16 innovative cocktails will be served in custom glassware, and the bar team will even be carving every piece of ice into boulder-like shapes.
Fenix will officially open its doors on 30 November, The Goods Yard Building, Goods Yard Street, Spinningfields, M3 3BG.
Manchester favourite Nell’s to open new site for New York-style pizza, karaoke and shuffleboard
Daisy Jackson
Much-loved New York-style pizza joint Nell’s has announced big plans for a brand new location – they’re heading to MediaCity.
Nell’s are stepping things up a notch with the move, adding in private karaoke booths, shuffleboard tables, and a huge outdoor terrace in their new site.
Nell’s MediaCity is set to open this autumn, promising 22-inch New York-style pizza (also served in gigantic slices), frozen margs, and ice cream sandwiches.
There are already several spots around Manchester where you can get a slice of Nell’s, including their restaurants at Kampus and in Altrincham, the OG Northern Quarter site in Common, and at The Beagle in Chorlton.
And now it’s Salford’s turn, with plans unveiled for the team to expand over to MediaCity’s quayside Orange Building.
Nell’s co-founder Jonny Heyes said: “We’ve been thinking about MediaCity for a long time, it’s such a great area and we’ve seen what brilliant operators like Kargo have achieved so when this space came up, we jumped on it!
“The venue is huge which has given us the chance to really play with the experience.
“This idea of karaoke and shuffleboard accompanying our made-for-sharing pizzas and great cocktails feels like a natural next step for us as a brand.”
Nell’s have also partnered with Deliveroo and Slerp to send 14-inch and 22-inch pizzas far and wide.
The new opening is expected to create more than 35 new jobs, and as Common & Co has twice been named in the Times 100 Best Places To Work list, you might want to check those out HERE.
These viral sensations are a plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to create a character with bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles.
They’re swinging off handbags all over the UK at the minute and people are queueing for hours for the latest Labubu drops.
At Sweet Dreams, they’re making edible chocolate Labubus using a special mould flown in from Japan.
Each one has a pistachio kunafa filling and is painstakingly painted by hand.
And that brings us neatly to the next viral craze at play here – Dubai pistachio chocolate.
An army of pistachio chocolate LabubuInside a chocolate pistachio Labubu
Kunafa is a staple in Middle Eastern bakes and pastries but hit the global mainstream last year when thick chocolate pistachio bars stuffed with it went viral online, spawning countless dupes and inspired specials.
And finally, chocolate covered strawberries – hardly a new invention, but this simple dessert has rocketed in popularity especially in food hotspots like Borough Market in London.
Head into Sweet Dreams and you can build your treat from the base up – choose white or milk melted chocolate for your strawberries, layer on pistachio kunafa, then top with either a milk or white chocolate Labubu.
A slightly daft novelty? Yes. But that doesn’t stop them being delicious.
This is the only place in the UK currently selling Dubai pistachio chocolate Labubus.
Daisy Jackson -
17th November 2023 
