A new Mexican restaurant is opening in Manchester this weekend serving up authentic tacos and ceviche alongside zesty tequila and mezcal tacos.
Brought to the city by the teams behind London’s famous Breddos Tacos and esteemed Liverpudlian eatery Belzan, it sits on the edge of the city centre’s new waterside neighbourhood, Kampus, with a gorgeous sun trap terrace just perfect for al fresco dining.
Officially due to open tomorrow, Saturday 17 June, we headed down for a sneak preview at what’s to come – and left feeling very impressed.
Although a large proportion of the menu here is dedicated to tacos, the menu at Madre is split into four sections – wood-fired, oysters and raw, tacos and snacks – with the likes of freshly-prepared ceviche, fire-roasted Simaloan style prawns and oysters Rockefeller all vying for attention.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
At the oyster and raw bar, you’ll find sashimi-grade tuna tostadas, cured seabass, and not two but three different styles of oysters to choose from, with toppings including a housemade jalapeno mignonette and roasted bonemarrow, panko and coriander.
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As for the wood-fired section, the show-stopping aged wing of beef with beef jus potatoes is a must but further options like charcoal-grilled sea bass with salsa roja and refried beans, or the almejas with clams and beer also sound very tempting.
Snacks, meanwhile, span the likes of chiccaron de puerco y cola – perfectly crispy pork belly bites in a Mexican cola BBQ sauce – and ‘elote’ corn ribs with chipotle mayo, lime and queso fresco.
Of course, we also have to talk about the tacos too. Given that Madre’s taco truck has become something of a fixture around Manchester these past few years, it’s true that as we headed down this afternoon they were very much front and centre in our minds.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
With six different styles to choose from, veggies and vegans are looked after with options like whipped potato and tempura avocado, alongside mainstay favourites like baja fish, birria beef shin, pork carnitas and fried chicken.
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As for drinks, think punchy tequila and mezcal-based cocktails loaded with zesty citrus and artfully decorated with hibiscus salt alongside traditional Mexican soft drink Jarritos, a full wine and beer list and more besides.
Officially open from Saturday 17 June at Kampus, Manchester city centre has – until now at least – been sorely missing a good Mexican restaurant. Thankfully, it appears that Madre is here to answer our prayers.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Eats
New two-storey Latin BBQ restaurant, bar, and music venue Dahlia opens in the Northern Quarter
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The Northern Quarter has welcomed a huge two-storey Latin BBQ restaurant, bar and music venue, brought to you by the same team behind Manchester’s beloved Firehouse and Ramona – you just know it’s going to be good with names like that.
Taking over the site formerly home to Pie & Ale, Dahlia has a few different concepts under one roof, but don’t let that confuse you too much.
Up first is Barbacoa Cósmica, an open-fire grill kitchen, with cooking inspired by Latin America and the southern states of America. As the Northern Quarter’s first open fire grill kitchen, guests will have the unique experience of being able to watch the chefs in action, from their kitchen counter seats.
The concept is the product of years of travelling across Latin America, exploring regional recipes and techniques, then condensed down to allow us to take a road trip from San Diego to Jalisco, Mexico City to Oaxaca, all from the comfort of our seats.
Dahlia is also be home to Bar Más Bonita, translating to ‘most beautiful bar’, a lively Liquorita serving up all sorts of Latin American specialties – think vibrant, handcrafted cocktails and salted rims with tequila, mezcal, rum and Latin spirits.
In the evenings, the space will transform into Dahlia Stereo, an intimate two-storey music space powered by a bespoke Hatchett Sound system.
Every element of the venue has been carefully considered by sound engineers and acoustic specialists, including Jonny ‘Oppo’ of Neuron Audio, to ensure the best listening experience possible.
Dahlia in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Jonny “Oppo” said: “We have been building and working with sound systems for years, but Manchester’s bars and restaurants have never had an installation at this level. Every detail of the room has been designed around how music should sound and feel. It is genuinely exciting for the city.”
In addition to this, the iconic Jonjo Williams of Maribou State and Rich Reason of Hit & Run, have carefully curated a music programme for September to give us a flavour of what’s to come, including sets from Gilles Peterson, Quantic, Gia Fu, DJ Die and Joey T.
With craft being central to the space, almost every element has been made by hand by the Dahlia team and its team of trusted independent artisans and specialist suppliers. From the artwork and upholstery, to the world class sound system and the team’s own bottled Latin spirits, it truly has all been carefully thought through.
To celebrate its launch, Dahlia is offering 50% off the food bill while the new team trains and gets up to speed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in September, before 9pm, when you book a table and follow @dahliastereo on instagram.
Brilliant Saddleworth restaurant shares statement after devastating fire that brought village to a standstill
Daisy Jackson
A brilliant restaurant in Saddleworth has been left ‘badly damaged’ after a huge blaze ripped through it yesterday afternoon.
Hot Duck in Uppermill, a modern Chinese establishment tucked above a takeaway, said that the fire on Sunday 6 September has been ‘devastating’.
Both Hot Duck and Hei Hei, which share a building on the village’s high street, will be closed for the foreseeable future.
But in a statement, Hot Duck said they will ‘do everything we can to come back stronger’.
They reassured customers that everyone is safe following the blaze.
Six fire engines from across Greater Manchester scrambled to the fire yesterday, with High Street closed while emergency services attended.
Locals were asked to avoid the area on Sunday evening.
Hot Duck said in a statement: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the last 24 hours. As many of you know, our restaurant has suffered a devastating fire affecting our whole building.
Inside Hot Duck in Uppermill before the fireHot Duck’s incredible dim sum
“Thankfully, everyone is safe, and for that, we’re incredibly grateful. We are still processing what comes next.
“It’s heartbreaking to see something we’ve worked so hard on over the years so badly damaged.
“The kindness, messages, calls, and offers of help mean more than we can put into words. To our customers, friends, neighbors, suppliers, and the wider community, thank you. Your support has given us hope at a time we really needed it.
“For now, the restaurant will remain closed while we begin the long process of rebuilding. It won’t be easy, but we will do everything we can to come back stronger. We’ll keep you updated. We will be back.”
Georgina Pellant -
16th June 2023 
