Eats

Tattu team’s new Italian-American restaurant and music venue confirms opening date

No photos, reservations only, dinner-only, and live performances - this really is brand new for Manchester.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 19th August 2024

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.

The ambitious new project has been taking shape in Spinningfields for several months now, with hoardings that look like dark red theatre curtains draped around the space.

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 Group
Louis in Manchester has also revealed details of its menu. Credit: Permanently Unique Group
Louis in Manchester has also revealed details of its menu. Credit: Permanently Unique Group
Louis 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.

Bookings are now live here.

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Featured image: Supplied

Eats

The very best ice cream places in Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones where to get the best ice cream in greater manchester places

We know it’s not often sunny out in these parts to enjoy the proper summery joy of lapping up lots of ice cream, but there are still bloody wonderful places to get it here in Greater Manchester – and we know some of the best.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer it chock-full of chocolate chips and coffee, mouth-frothingly fruity sweet, you’re in your pistachio phase or cannot get past the raspberry ripple, there are plenty of places to get whatever you’re after.

Be it Manchester city centre or beyond, we do ice cream pretty darn good for a place that basically rains for two-thirds of the year.

In no particular order, by the way, because we already hate playing favourites and all those serve our infinitely sweet tooth are created equal.

The best ice cream shops and parlours in and around Manchester

1. Grandpa Greene’s – Oldham

First up, there are few other fitting enough places to start than the Diggle Lock’s legendary Grandpa Greene’s, which serves not just some of the best desserts we’ve EVER had but stunning, homemade ice-cream that we here at The Manc have even helped make in the past.

In fact, this place has been such a hit in the area that they’ve gone on to open their own bistro and, unsurprisingly, it’s proved just as impressive and popular.

2. Milk Maids – Bolton

From Oldham over to the borough of Bolton and native favourite, Milk Maids, whose award-winning dairy farming expertise has seen them garner an iconic status among locals, and it’s no wonder.

We’ve been on to this place in Over Hulton for ages, but now they’re approaching a decade of serving their oh-so-sweet scoops, we can’t pretend to take even the remotest bit of credit. Their reputation precedes them and is about as long-standing as their lines.

3. Ginger’s – Northern Quarter

Number three is a go-to ice cream place for anyone in Manchester city centre: Ginger’s over in Afflecks Palace. Well, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, to give them their full title, and we can only concur that it does provide us with immense comfort whenever we call upon it.

Made in small batches using award-winning, home-churned dairy ice cream just like Milk Maids, these guys have actually been here even longer, serving the massive multi-floored shopping complex and indie paradise since 2010. There are new flavours and specials on all the time, each as delicious as the last.

Credit: The Manc Eats

4. Big Licks – Printworks

In at number four is arguably the ice cream and dessert parlour with the very best name in Manchester, and that’s Big Licks, which recently relocated from Liverpool Road over in Castlefield to Printworks.

Now positioned in a much more central location, it’s no surprise that the spot has seen an increase in queues of late. You’ll find pretty much every combo you could ask for here; they also do some pretty banging burgers if you fancy eating both tea and afters here.

5. Macari’s – Stockport

As a native Stopfordian myself, my grandma only ever called dessert a ‘sweet’ or ‘pudding’, regardless of what it was, but regardless of what you call it around your way/in your family, we have a Stopfordian ice cream spot that you need to visit.

Macari’s Gelateria opened up over in Heaton Moor back in 2023, and it’s quickly grown a passionate cult following – ourselves included. From their punchy and/or fruity flavours, to the super soft texture that their perfectly flaky wafers just about hold up to, it’s pretty perfect. Remember the name.

Credit: The Manc Group

6. Lazy Sundae – Manchester Arndale

We’re past the halfway mark now, and if you’re not already feeling a bit sluggish after this sugary feast for your eyes, you almost certainly will after looking at the super indulgent Lazy Sundae, who do everything from bubble tea and creative Korean desserts, to standard ice cream cones.

But make no mistake, there’s nothing plain or basic about this place: it’s remained one of the best places for ice cream in Manchester, and while we may have said goodbye to their OG spot in NQ back in January 2025, the Arndale parlour now serves as the perfect flagship location.

@the.manc Lazy Sundae has arrived at the Arndale #manchester #lazysundae ♬ Synchronize – Milky Chance

7. Black Milk – NQ

Sticking with the city centre and whipping our way back to NQ (pun very much intended), we’ve got the brilliant Black Milk up next, who we confess most regularly visit for a proper good milkshake, but they do shine when it comes to pretty anything sugary, to be honest.

Ice cream-wise, you can’t go wrong with their cookies and cream sundae, and their special St. Patrick’s Guinness gelato is still one of the most unique desserts we’ve ever had. Speaking of gelato…

Credit: The Manc

8. Gelato Creamery® – Sale and Ardwick

Heading out to Trafford now and the ever-growing foodie scene in Sale, their increasingly well-known Gelato Creamery® store has been making waves for some time now, and by waves, we mean perfectly swirled scoops of ice cream’s somewhat healthier but still just as tasty Italian cousin.

They have a more central pod at Jacuna Kitchen over in Ardwick on the outskirts of the city centre, but really do recommend visiting their shop on School Road for a lesson on what proper good gelato should taste like.

9. Get Baked – NQ

The penultimate blood sugar pincher is the famous Get Baked, who barely even turned the key to unlock the doors before they had a crowd waiting outside the shop window of their first Manchester location.

Whether you’re three for big cookies, the famous Matilda-inspired ‘Bertha’ cake’ or their free-flowing soft-serve that is easier to drink than water – we know we have a problem, we’re working on it – you won’t be disappointed by no matter how long you wait.

Credit: The Manc

10. Baby Mayhem – Ancoats

Last but certainly not least of the latest newcomers to the Manc dessert scene and while it may not be strictly just an ice cream parlour, it is one of the best places for anyone who is powerless to resist their cravings for things fresh, cold, filled, fried and covered in sugar.

Baby Mayhem is where ice cream and doughnuts collide in one superior pudding. How does a ‘donut ice cream sandwich’ sound? Incredible? We thought so. It’s popped in the old Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria site and is already following in its footsteps of filling locals’ bellies to the max.

That should just about do you for now, and if this list wasn’t sickly enough, don’t you worry…

You best believe we’ll be going around all around Greater Manchester in search of more ice cream and the best places that do it whenever the sun is out.

So, just keep your eyes peeled for when we inevitably update this one, because there’s always room for one more scoop.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

Ancoats bar Sammy’s closes after ‘online smear campaign’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Ancoats bar Sammy's closes after 'online smear campaign'

A popular late-night bar in Ancoats has announced its official closure after several months of silence.

Sammy’s Bar, which was styled as a retro 70’s diner and stayed open into the early hours, has said the bar ‘is officially no longer’.

In a statement shared on the bar’s Instagram stories, founder Sammy Shonn said that there was been an ‘online smear campaign’ and has decided to sell the bar ‘for my own mental wellbeing’.

All posts on the Sammy’s Instagram feed have now been deleted.

The account, and the bar itself, will now be transferred to new owners.

Sammy’s opened in 2019 and was a popular, hidden-bar-style spot for late-night cocktails and DJs.

Their full statement reads: “It’s with regret that I inform you Sammy’s is officially no longer.

“Whilst I vehemently maintain my total innocence against all of the hurtful allegations made against me and my character in a recent online smear campaign, for my own mental wellbeing, I’ve made the difficult decision to sell the bar, along with all its associated assets, including this social media account.

“Thank you to everyone for your custom, your love and your support since 2019.

“Together we created something special. I am now transferring this account to the new owners, who I am sure will post something shortly regarding their plans.”

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Featured image: Supplied

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