Louis, a new Italian-American restaurant in the heart of Manchester with a ‘no photos’ policy, has finally confirmed its opening date.
The venue, first announced in February, comes from the same team behind Tattu and Fenix (two of the city’s most beautiful restaurants) and is set to be a haven of live music, excellent cooking and cocktails.
Louis is inspired by the classic New York restaurants that are often seen on the silver screen, filled with intimate booths and a tiered seating design centred around the main stage.
Louis has now confirmed that it will be delivering its take on mid-20th century New York on 13 September – and it’s teased what’s in store for the menu.
Diners will be able to feast on an Italian-American menu that features a from-scratch Caesar salad, veal chops with crispy potatoes in marinara, and Iberico meatballs.
There’ll be a dedicated pasta workshop adjacent to the Louis kitchen, where fan favourites like rigatoni alla vodka and tagliatelle bolognese will be whipped up.
The menu has been crafted by executive chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis (the visionary behind Fenix’s acclaimed Mediterranean menu), and Italian chef Matteo D’Elia, who has worked previously at restaurants including Il Gattopardo, the Broadwick Soho and Bacchanalia.
Louis in Manchester has also revealed details of its menu. Credit: Permanently Unique GroupLouis in Manchester has also revealed details of its menu. Credit: Permanently Unique Group
Will Meredith, the head of beverage, will curate a 12-drink menu that celebrates American classic cocktails, divided into aperitifs, dinner cocktails, and digestifs.
Standout creations will include the Bloody Maria, the Manhattan, and the PB&J Old Fashioned.
Louis will offer the ‘best seat in the house’ to every single guest through its tiered design, which places a spotlight on the live acts.
It will be wrapped in deep velvet with classic Italian marble hugging the room, and there’ll be intimate tables shrouded with cafe curtains dotted around the space.
The bar itself will be adorned with large chains to lure people over with warm lighting and glimmering gold tones.
Louis will also be home to more than £1 million-worth of modern fine art, including pieces by Marco Battaglini, Alec Monopoly, Brainwash and Ted Todd.
As for the music, there’ll be a weekly roster of performers from soul singers to pianists to jazz quartets and full swing bands.
Louis will be a dinner-only venue, open five nights a week, with a reservation-only policy.
And it will encourage a no-photos policy, urging guests to live the moment rather than create content, while also maintaining the privacy and enjoyment of other guests.
This is the latest venture for the Permanently Unique Group, who have already crafted (and expanded) Tattu and Fenix into some of the UK’s most popular venues.
Louis will open at 3 Hardman Square in Manchester on Friday 13 September 2024.
Manchester Arndale is slashing prices on food and drink across the shopping centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back – and that means there are some absolute bargains to be had on food and drink right across the shopping centre.
Throughout the month of August, restaurants, cafes and kiosks within Manchester Arndale will be offering some serious offers and deals.
This ranges from 25% off to buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus free meals for kids and plenty more.
Venues taking part in the Summer Scran Fest include Archie’s, Subway, Barburrito, Pizza Hut, HOP Vietnamese, Michaels Coffee House and plenty more.
And the leisure destinations within Manchester Arndale are getting stuck in too – think free drinks, combos and more at venues including King Pins and Urban Playground.
There are plenty of Manchester-born businesses getting involved and offering bargains to us all, like Archie’s giving out free soft serve when you spend £10, Barburrito offering a £10 meal deal (burrito, tortilla chips and a soft drink), and Lazy Sundae giving a free scoop of ice cream with any large drink purchase.
Big brand deals include a £5 meal deal at McDonald’s (4 Chicken McNuggets, Cheese burger or Mayo chicken; fries; and medium cold drink), and 25% off at Pizza Hut.
There’s 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran FestLazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase
Then there are newcomers to Manchester Arndale taking part in the Summer Scran Fest.
HOP, a new Vietnamese street food venue on Market Street, is doing 25% off, while Michaels Coffee House will knock 15% off their seasonal favourites like an Iced Maple Oat Matcha or an Iced Rose Coconut Matcha.
There’s also a 20% discount at Sides, the chicken shop backed by YouTube sensations Sidemen.
And as for leisure destinations – Urban Playground is doing 18 Holes of putters tech-infused mini golf, plus any three small plates from The Butcher menu for £28.20.
Kind Pins has 20% off food and drink, and Immersive Gamebox will do 20% off plus a free drink when you book a 60 or 30 minute gaming session.
Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the Manchester Arndale website from 1 August.
Manchester dessert and sandwich stars Gooey are set to open another city centre site
Danny Jones
0161’s world-famous dessert stars, Gooey, are set to open another city centre site – their third in Greater Manchester and soon-to-be fifth overall.
Known for their incredible cookies, doughnuts, brunch, legendary French toast and plenty more, Gooey made their first foray out of their hometown with a Liverpool location last year, and are now set to consolidate their Manc base even further.
Set to open in a prime piece of real estate, the latest Manchester Gooey store will be opening in a sizeable empty unit over on Circle Square, right next to the Asda Express and in the heart of the student living and leisure complex.
Benefitting from being easily seen from along the bustling Oxford Road Corridor, you can expect this place to be packed to the rafters from the off on day one.
The signs are already in the window.That unreal French toast dripping in syrup.Credit: The Manc Eats
There are few details on what the new arrival might have in-store beyond all the brand favourites at this early stage, but each Gooey store shop does have its own charm.
From their original bakery and cafe over in the Northern Quarter, to the three kiosks in Ducie Street Warehouse, The Trafford Centre Selfridges and over on Merseyside’s iconic Bold Street, they all offer something a little different.
As for any hints at the launch plans, fans are yet to be given an official opening date, but you best believe you’ll be the first to know the second we do.
In case you’ve never tried or even come across the indulgent and fast-growing independent business before, another popular part of their menu is the bits between bread.
Touching on the upcoming addition, Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood SciTech – the team behind Circle Square’s ever-expanding offerings – said: “Gooey is an incredible local brand who are continuing to grow, evolve and innovate, with ever more exciting desserts.
“They will make a fantastic addition to the Circle Square community, and we look forward to seeing the impact they make in the coming months.”
In case you wonder how much we love this place and just how excited you should be about another one landing here in the city centre, sometimes we just put together random appreciation posts for that one, aforementioned butty alone.
Local foodies will also be buzzing to hear that they’re not the only calorific cult favourites that are bringing more to our mouths in 2025.
First, it was Brewski, followed by American Pies; then it was Foldies, and now the beloved culinary brand is launching yet another new concept here in Manchester.
Daisy Jackson -
19th August 2024 
