There’s a stunning new rooftop restaurant in Manchester, with more than 250 different wines on the menu and beehives on the roof.
Climat is ready to open in Blackfriars House and has one of the best views in the city, with every table given a front-row seat.
From its eighth floor position, diners will be able to take in the sights of Manchester, including the (currently scaffolded) Town Hall, the ornate rooftop of Barton Arcade, and the spire of St Ann’s Church.
The 100-cover restaurant comes from the same team behind the acclaimed Covino in Chester, with exec chef of Covino and Climat Luke Richardson and head chef Simon Ulph crafting a menu of modern British feasting-size dishes.
The restaurant promises to serve ‘food you want to eat’, geared towards groups of three or more to share – think whole turbot, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and ex-dairy cuts on the bone.
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Climat. Credit: The Manc Group
There’ll be small plates too, and the resurrection of classic vol-au-vents.
Climat’s wine cellar is comprehensive, featuring more than 250 different wines, 40% of which will come from one specific Burgundy vineyard site which has its own microclimate and specific geological conditions.
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The highly-anticipated opening aims to be a ‘contemporary, Parisian-style’ addition to Manchester’s restaurant scene.
The star of the show with its decor all centre around that view, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the spacious outdoor rooftop terrace.
Climat. Credit: The Manc GroupClimat. Credit: The Manc Group
Tables are arranged in one long row along the windows, with an open kitchen on the other side.
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Of the menu, exec chef Luke Richardson comments: “We want to have a different signature snack at each restaurant we open. Whilst Covino has the gougère, Climat will have the vol-au-vent.
“The humble gougère will continue to serve Covino, whilst we’ve opted to resurrect the vol-au-vent for Climat, owing to their complete versatility throughout the seasons. They can literally be stuffed with anything. Beef tartare, parfait, truffle and ricotta to name just a few.
“Both myself and Simon Ulph have worked closely together to develop an opening menu we are both super proud of and we think does justice to the building and the surroundings. We believe we offer something completely different to the Manchester restaurant scene and we now can’t wait to officially launch.”
Christopher Laidler, owner of Climat, comments: “After a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (mostly my own), I couldn’t be happier that we’re one step closer to bringing Climat to life with the menu and wine list already things I’m immensely proud of.
“Climat is essentially going to be a place for guests to share our passion for really good food and drink in a relaxed rooftop setting with what I think is one of the best views of Manchester’s skyline.
“We’re well on the way to achieving this; from the look and feel of the restaurant coming together, to the exciting daily changing menu ideas and informal but quietly knowledgeable style of service we have planned.”
Charlotte Wild, head of retail and leisure at Bruntwood Works, comments: “Climat is going to be a fantastic addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene. We’re delighted to welcome such an exciting concept to Blackfriars, our community-minded Pioneering building.
“The restaurant is really coming together now and the menu clearly demonstrates their passion for excellent food and wine. It’s great to see their hard work come to fruition. Roll on December!”
The fantastic fuss-free cafe in Stockport serving food just like your nan used to make
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Inside Stockport’s beautiful and historic Market Hall is where you can find Auntie Lou’s, a down-to-earth cafe serving up some top tier drinks and seriously hearty home-cooked meals.
Since opening late last year, Auntie Lou’s has rapidly grown in popularity, with food flying off the shelves at their first time taking part in Stockport’s Foodie Friday – and once you’ve tasted it you’ll understand why.
The food on offer is a combination of dishes influenced by owner Emily’s Irish and English heritage, with recipes passed down from generation to generation, from all of the amazing women in her family.
Their seasonal and carefully crafted menus play into nostalgia, with freshly made stews, warm focaccia sandwiches, savoury tarts and sausage rolls on offer, with a lot of dishes served with a slice of bread and butter – just like nan used to.
Emily prides herself on a homely, nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere, with a range of thrifted crockery, their signature paper doilies and all of the mugs made and hand-painted by her mum.
This space truly is an ode to Emily’s family members, with the name originating from their family middle name Louise.
And just when you thought Auntie Lou’s couldn’t possibly get any better, they’ve only gone and added a brand new outdoor seating area, just in time for summer.
Emily’s mum makes all the mugs for Auntie Lou’sAuntie Lou’s has just added a sunny outdoor seating areaA lot of dishes come with bread and butter, the old fashioned way
The new outdoor area is positioned on a sunny street right on Market Place and is the perfect spot for people watching. It is made up of second-hand wooden furniture, which cleverly feeds into the feeling of going round for tea at your aunty’s house.
Currently, Auntie Lou’s menu includes a rich sausage and pecorino pasta, french omelette with locally sourced sourdough, and a butterbean, courgette and asparagus stew, along with their consistently great selection of bakes and coffees.
Not to mention their recently sourced slushie machine, facilitating a variety of iced drinks to quench your thirst this summer.
Emily has always shared with her followers the raw experience of building this cafe from the very beginning with just a dream, some cleaning products and a whole lot of DIY. She really has built the cafe from scratch and we think that it truly deserves all of the praise it gets.
Dishes change regularly but currently include this beautiful pasta dishAuntie Lou’s cafe in Stockport Market Hall
If you’ve not given her a follow already, go and check out @auntielouscafe on Instagram and see her progress from the very beginning.
This cafe is definitely one well worth travelling for, so why not make a day of it and explore some of the other new spots in Stockport Old Town?
Auntie Lou’s is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 3pm (or until sell out) – go on down, show some support and see what all the fuss is about.
‘A lovely surprise’ says Manchester restaurant after being added to Michelin Guide
Daisy Jackson
A local restaurant in Manchester has said it’s a ‘proud moment’ as it gets added to the prestigious Michelin Guide.
10 Tib Lane, a gorgeous three-storey restaurant and bar tucked on a quiet city centre street, said it was ‘a lovely surprise’ to find themselves added to the guide.
The restaurant opened back in 2021, taking over the former Bock Biere Cafe on Tib Lane.
The beauty in its interiors lies in the building’s bones, with a stripped-back space showing off textured walls and wooden floors and big sash windows.
As you climb the stairs from the bar, you’ll find a restaurant serving up clever small plates with British produce but with a definite French influence.
10 Tib Lane comes from the same team behind beloved Chorlton neighbourhood bar Henry C, as well as the newly-opened Posie cocktail bar in the city centre.
The Michelin Guide said the restaurant is serving ‘well-crafted dishes’, highlighting its cheese beignets.
10 Tib Lane in ManchesterThe restaurant has been added to the Michelin Guide
The guide said: “Stretching over three floors of a tall, narrow townhouse, you enter this welcoming restaurant via its cosy bar – ideal for a cocktail or a glass from their selection of European natural and low-intervention wines – before heading up to dining rooms decked out in rustic, semi-industrial chic.
“Order some oysters or cheese beignets while you choose from a menu that shows off influences from both Spain (Cantabrian anchovies on toast) and France (chocolate ganache).
“Throughout the cooking, the well-crafted dishes allow top-quality ingredients to shine.”
Speaking of their Michelin Guide addition, 10 Tib Lane wrote: “What a lovely surprise to receive this week. Marking a proud moment for us and the team.”
Daisy Jackson -
1st December 2022 
