Eats

There’s a new Italian bottomless brunch with limoncello sangria, pasta and pizza

So, who fancies this then?

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 29th June 2023

When it comes to bottomless brunching, Manchester really has got it down to a fine art. There really is something for every occasion, whether you want pies and pints or poached eggs and fizz.

One new bottomless brunch to throw its hat into the ring comes from Gusto, the popular Italian chain first founded in 2005 by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon, from Living Ventures Group. 

Known for its affordable Italian elegance, the restaurant group has just introduced a new Italian-inspired bottomless brunch with unlimited limoncello sangria, sourdough pizzas and refined pasta dishes.

Priced at £37 per person, for that diners will be treated to two delicious Italian courses alongside 90 minutes of non-stop cocktails and prosecco.

Running on Fridays and Saturdays between midday and 3pm, the new deal is inspired by the tastes of Italy and starts with the restaurant’s signature Dough Petals served with garlic butter.

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Image: Gusto
Image: Gusto

This is followed by a choice between classic brunch favourites and more authentic Italian plates.

Find brunch mainstays like smashed avocado on toast topped with spring greens, poached egg or smoked salmon on the menu here alongside the likes of wood-fired sourdough pizzas with toppings like pepperoni salsiccia or margherita.

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Further menu choices at the new Gaucho bottomless include the likes of jerusalem artichoke and truffle ravioli, D.O.P. San Marzano tomato orzotto, or a simple but flavoursome rigatoni arrabiata.

Read more: Huge festival full of rum, Caribbean street food, and ‘uplifting’ DJ sets returns to Manchester next week

There is also the opportunity to upgrade to a Gusto burger – British chuck steak, caramelised onion, pecorino cheese, tomato, lettuce, relish and gherkin with skin-on fries or a house salad – for an extra £2.

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To wash it all down, you’ll find a selection of cocktails such as Aperol spritz​, passionfruit spritz, limoncello sangria, and prosecco all available, with a non-alcoholic option also on offer for those off the sauce. 

Image: Gusto
Image: Gusto

Kat Schofield, Head of Marketing at Gusto said, “We’re excited to bring our unique take on bottomless brunch to Manchester!

Read more: Deliveroo predicts 3D-printed meal plans and VR dinner parties in our future

“Italians treasure time around the table with friends and family – best spent over lovingly prepared food and drinks, and our new bottomless brunch offers the ideal opportunity to do just that.”

Bookings can be made by visiting Gusto’s website here.

Featured image – Gusto

Eats

Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it. 

The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure. 

Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap. 

And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.

Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub. 

As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots. 

There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet. 

Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Delicious spring drinks
Delicious spring drinks
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar

A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals. 

Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta. 

And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut. 

Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce. 

“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar. 

“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”

Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather! 

“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”

To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE. 

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester

Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.

With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.

Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.

They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.

The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.

And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.

Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.

They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.

British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.

A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.

More food and drink news:

Featured image: Supplied

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