As one door closes, another opens. Never has this been more true than in the Northern Quarter right now, where chefs are rotating kitchens like it’s a game of musical chairs.
Modern Chinese favourite Salt and Pepper has just made its exit from Black Dog, the popular late-night bar that opens until 4am, in preparation to open its own venue round the corner on High Street.
In its place, Kong’s Chicken Shop has moved in with a brand new taco and quesadilla concept.
After a very happy year of naughty burgers and roast dinners at Northern Monk Taproom (now home to beloved lasagne restaurant Lazy Tony’s), the team is venturing on to pastures new with a new Mexican-inspired menu of gravy-soaked goodies.
Of course. Kong’s signature fried chicken still features prominently. In fact, you can still get your hands on Kong’s signature burger and some of the most popular sandwiches. But in truth, we’re here for the tacos.
ADVERTISEMENT
Think thigh meat brined for three hours, rolled in a secret spice mix, then double-dredged for a crispier texture, topping a 6-inch hasa marina corn taco with accompanying iceberg, chipotle slaw, diced pickles and burger sauce.
Elsewhere on the new list, you’ll find Al Pastor adobo pork neck tacos, barbacoa beef shin tacos with green jalapeno harissa, and sustainable white battered fish tacos with crispy capers, tartar and tajin shoestring fries.
ADVERTISEMENT
As ever, the food at Kong’s is set apart by the attention to detail. There is no scrimping on flavour here.
As for the new quesadillas, each comes with candied jalapenos, guacamole and heaps of cheese, as well as crema and house hot sauce.
As for sides and sauces, choose from crispy shoestring fries, queso cheese loaded fries, or a ‘nacho salad’ with charred sweetcorn, salsa, lime jalapeno dressing and crumbled cheese.
Alternatively, you can go all out with the loaded beef Birria fries, feat. barbacoa beef Bbirria gravy and a rich queso cheese sauce.
Currently in its soft launch phase, Kong’s officially opens at Black Dog Ballroom on Monday from 12-9pm. seven days a week.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
Eats
Manchester’s first banana pudding bar has opened in the city centre
Clementine Hall
Make sure to save room for pudding…because one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands has found a new home.
Buttercup launched last summer, creating little pots of the hit US dessert made famous by the iconic Magnolia Bakery.
Each dessert features vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings.
And after a brief disappearance from the Manchester foodie scene, Buttercup is back with a bang with their beautiful new home on Deansgate.
Images: The Manc Group
And when we say beautiful, we really mean it.
Glossy burgundy tiles, butter yellow walls and sleek chrome furniture make up the space beneath the huge arched window, and there’s even a few seats for you to enjoy your pud and watch the world go by.
Open daily from 10am til 10pm, the menu includes three puddings on rotation ready to scoop.
Images: The Manc Group
Choose from the classic banana, indulgent tiramisu and an ever-changing seasonal special, alongside a wall of toppings for you to customise your own pud.
Each recipe has been perfected in-house and the proof really is in the banana pudding…because it tastes just as good as it looks.
Since launching, Buttercup has served around 50,000 puddings, hosted sell-out pop-ups across the city, collaborated with some huge brands, and built a loyal following around its signature build-your-own pudding bar.
Image: The Manc Group
With this new standalone space, you’ll of course be able to indulge in its signature banana pudding, as well as breakfast yoghurt bowls, coffee and matcha.
Officially opening tomorrow Saturday 26 September, the first 50 customers will get a free topping and sauce with the purchase of any pudding, plus a free lip gloss from Manchester-born beauty brand REFY.
‘Remember to support genuine independents’ – Manchester’s rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe announces closure
Emily Sergeant
Rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe has called final orders on its time at popular city centre hangout, Side Street.
Serving some of the best rotisserie chicken in Manchester – ‘sexy chicken’, if you will – Tartuffe first landed at Side Street inside the ABC Building back in the later summer of 2024, and quickly became known and loved by critics and customers alike for not just their rotisserie options, but also their stylish bar snacks and standout sides.
But despite being a roaring success these past two years, Tartuffe took to social media this week to announce the end of the ‘longest pop-up ever’, with its final service being tomorrow (25 September).
Tartuffe will be leaving Side Street this Friday / Credit: The Manc Group
Announcing its closure on Instagram, Tartuffe wrote: “That’s right, our time at Side Street has come to an end and our final service here is this Friday.
“It’s been an incredible two and a half years cooking for the wonderful people of Manchester and we’re hugely thankful to everyone who’s been to see us whilst we’ve been here.
“Another big thanks to the staff at Side Street who we’ve loved working with. We’ve made some great friends and worked with some absolutely brilliant people.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
