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.
The first new tenant of the old Debenhams department store on Market Street has been confirmed
Danny Jones
The first new resident of the Rylands Building on Market Street in central Manchester has been revealed, and it’s a foodie one.
Set to be the maiden opening inside the old Debenhams department store, which closed after more than three decades back in 2021, Rylands’ debut won’t be for another year or so, but it will soon welcome Mancs with an increasingly popular food hall operator making its way up north.
Simply called Market Place, the ever-growing brand is fast becoming a well-established name, with four venues in the capital already and a fifth coming soon.
Rylands will be their first location outside of London, and with 1,300 sqm of space at their disposal, Market Place Manchester is set to make a significant splash on the high street.
A look at Market Place Peckham.A rough idea of what the Manchester branch could look like.
Developers managed to green-light plans for the Grade II-listed building last November, sharing the first details and glimpses of their vision for the instantly recognisable city centre spot, including a whole new rooftop terrace.
Currently earmarked for a late 2026 launch, the former department store (previously Paulden’s) consisted of seven floors but is now set for a four-storey extension that promises to be a massive and varied retail, leisure and business destination that makes the most of the expansive structure.
Not to be confused with the famous John Rylands Library – a much older, more gothic, historic and hallowed hall over on Deansgate – this task of ‘revitalising a Manchester icon’, to quote property firm AM ALPHA, is a huge undertaking.
In charge of the redevelopment since 2023, the group have been outlining a pretty complete overhaul, with plans to convert the upper floors into premium office space, and the creation of a retail arcade at ground level, on which Market Place Manchester will sit.
This particular Manc corner was a bustling food, drink and shopping complex for the longest time, but has been derelict and covered up by boards for what feels like forever, with urban explorers even roaming the large, abandoned building.
Credit: Supplied
Now, though, the new long-term 15-year lease agreement will see the latest food hall kick off a new era for Rylands, delivering socially focused venues and the range of flavourful, vibrant choices of scran that Market Place have become known for.
With sites in St Paul’s, Vauxhall, Peckham, Harrow and soon Baker Street – as well as their eventual Manchester outpost, of course – the chain is getting bigger and better, meaning its arrival in the North West is an exciting one.
AM ALPHA manager Paul Hodgkiss said in an official statement: “Manchester is a city with a vibrant cultural scene – the perfect environment for forward-thinking concepts like Market Place Food Hall…
“The early commitment to Rylands is no coincidence: it reflects the strength of our strategic and forward-looking approach to development. We are not just creating high-quality space – we are setting new standards for urban mixed-use concepts. Interest from further prospective tenants is strong.”
It was only last week that Greater Manchester’s latest market hall, Campfield Studios, said hello to the general public and with House of Social also opening this summer, among several other similar projects, soon you won’t be able to move for more social hospitality scenes like this:
Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.
The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.
Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.
If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.
There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.
Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.
Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.
A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.
Daisy Jackson -
19th August 2024 
