Levenshulme’s popular natural wine bar Isca is popping up at KAMPUS for a two-week residency, bringing some of their tastiest low-intervention bottles into the city centre.
It marks the first of a summer series of food and drink pop-ups at KAMPUS, designed to champion independents of Manchester whilst heralding the new opening of the waterside gardens.
The brainchild of sommelier Caroline Dubois and Chef Isobel Jenkins, who met while working at Michelin-recognised Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In, Isca is one of the city’s most respected homes of natural wine.
The pair have pioneered natural wines and ethically-sourced produce in Manchester, and now they’ll be showcasing the best of their selection down at Manchester’s garden neighbourhood over the course of a fortnight.
Isca’s founders have put together a wine list featuring a carefully curated mix of ‘old world’ natural wines from small producers in Europe for guests to enjoy, with glasses starting from £5.
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These will sit alongside a selection of beers from independent breweries, house homemade soft drinks and organic small plates including British and Irish farmhouse cheeses.
“People don’t realise that most supermarket wine has never been touched by a human hand and we want to tell the story of some amazing natural wines from the handpicked grapes to the incredible taste,” said co-founder Caroline.
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“We’ve always had lots of demand in the city centre and Kampus is the perfect location for us to bring the natural wine experience.
“We’re working with some niche winemakers and local producers so the independent vibe Kampus is creating really appealed to us.”
Visitors can sit out in the sun or enjoy a tipple from Isca in the Kampus Bungalow, a security cabin on stilts overlooking the canal that has since been transformed into a sort of ‘village hall’ for pop-ups and community events.
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There’ll also be a bottle shop on hand so you can take any favourites home with you.
Isca will serve on Friday and Saturday for two weekends at KAMPUS from June 11, opening at the Manchester garden neighbourhood from 5pm until late.
And it’s walk-ins only, so no need to book.
Isca KAMPUS opening hours:
Friday 11 June 5-11pm Saturday 12 June 2-11pm Friday 18 June 4-11pm Saturday 19 June 2-11pm
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 -
8th June 2021 
