There’s a new bottomless brunch in Manchester, and it takes inspiration from the hit Netflix tv series Stranger Things.
The popular show, now in its fourth season, has become something of a cult classic amongst its followers, so when Rendition announced last month it would be hosting a one-off ‘upside down’ bottomless brunch event fans clamoured to get tickets.
The event was so in demand it sold out completely last time, so now, Rendition has revealed that it will be bringing back its Stranger Things-themed brunch for another weekend in August .
Bringing the hit TV show to life with themed drinks, 80’s fashion and a solid all-vinyl soundtrack, the specially-exnteded event will take place on Saturday 13 August from 12-4pm.
Image: Rendition MCR
Fans of the Netflix favourite can step into the world of Stranger Things with Joyce’s fairy lights on the walls, Jonathan’s vinyl collection for the classic tracks and even the Hawkins high 80’s fashion on all members of staff – with customers invited to get involved too.
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With a select number of ‘golden tickets’ on offer, those who act fast can 90 minutes of non-stop Stranger Things-themed cocktails and a brunch dish of their choice for just £15 per head.
For those who don’t manage to get their hands on one of these, the brunch will be priced at £30 per person.
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Drinks on offer as part of this specially-extended Stranger Things-themed brunch will include a special Stranger Things-inspired upside-down cocktail.
This limited edition cocktail, comprised of Beefeater gin, dry vermouth, grenadine, lemon juice, cranberry and elderflower, will be served literally upside down in a substantial feat of drinks engineering.
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Image: Rendition MCR
Further drinks on offer from Rendition’s theatrical-style cocktail menu, meanwhile, will include Red Hot Fun, made up of Ciroc red berry, cranberry and chilli, and The Dance, which consists of vanilla vodka, strawberry and bubblegum.
As for food, guests will be able to choose a dish each from the new brunch menu, which features a host of tried and tested favourites including homemade guacamole on toast with red onion and coriander, 8oz rump steak and eggs, eggs benedict and eggs florentine, all paired with bottomless booze.
Diners can currently head to Rendition’s website and sign up to be sent a golden ticket for £15 each, ahead of this Saturday’s brunch. Please note that tables will need to be booked in advance to use the discount.
Feature image – Rendition MCR
Eats
Popular American fast food franchise Shake Shack opens in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester has just landed another big global franchise as Shake Shack has finally made its Northern debut with a first Manc location in The Trafford Centre.
With so many good burger joints and a million and one great places to grab a good portion of chips in town alone, they’ll have to hit the ground running to fight off the competition.
The well-known transatlantic multinational is nothing short of massive in the States, vying with the likes of In-N-Out Burger, Five Guys, Carl’s Jr, Whataburger and Wendy’s – just to name a rather large handful. Oh yeah, and Maccies, of course.
Yanks will debate until the cows come home (pardon the pun) about which is best, and many believe Shake Shack is right up there, so Manchester foodies have every right to be excited.
The New York-founded company already has multiple locations on this side of the pond, such as several in London, which is where we first sampled it for ourselves.
Other venues include Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford and Cardiff, as well as one inside Gatwick Airport; as for the brand’s debut Manchester branch, Shake Shack UK no. 18 is also only their second Halal-friendly site here in Britain.
But what sets this burger and milkshake-driven brand apart from the others?
Well, for starters, you could argue they’re not even most famous for their patties, buns or shakes; the first time we ever heard about Shake Shack was regarding their fries – specifically, the crinkle-cut shape and that very American-style cheese sauce.
They have long proved divisive among the masses, but those who love them go NUTS for the stuff, and you’ll find all manner of fakeaway recipes online of people trying to make their best imitation of the side and sauce, specifically.
Put it this way, Colonel’s gravy on KFC chicken is what cheese sauce is on Shake Shack fries.
Richard Franks, Business Director at Shake Shack UK, said: “Manchester’s a city that does things ‘proper’; it’s full of heart, graft and great taste.
“We’re so pumped to be growing Shake Shack across the UK, and to be opening our first Northern Shack at the Trafford Centre. We can’t wait to be a part of this city.”
The major mall and North West tourist attraction’s Centre Director, Simon Layton, added: “We’re really excited to welcome Shake Shack’s first Northern restaurant to the Trafford Centre.
“We know our visitors are going to love getting their hands on those iconic ShackBurgers and crinkle-cut fries. It’s a huge moment for the North – and we can’t wait for everyone to experience it with us in 2026.”
Opening in place of the Costa in the Great Hall, the opening of Shake Shack Manchester at the Trafford Centre officially opens this week. Exciting times.
Greater Manchester bakery says it’s ‘a proper honour’ to be named one of the best in Britain
Daisy Jackson
TWO bakeries in Greater Manchester have been named among the best in the country by the Good Food Guide this week.
The acclaimed guide has travelled the length and breadth of Britain to narrow down the 50 Best Bakeries in the UK, whether it’s tiny micro-bakeries or impressive independent enterprises.
There are 22 new entrants into this year’s list, but two spots on the list are flying the floury flag for our region.
First up is Long Boi’s Bakehouse, a neighbourhood, women-owned bakery over in Levenshulme, which first found fame with its homemade Pop Tarts (but has done A LOT of amazing baking since then).
The beloved local business has said that it’s ‘a proper honour’ to be named in the Good Food Guide’s list of Britain’s Best Bakeries.
It’s their second year running in the top 50.
They wrote: “We’re so proud to be namechecked alongside so many of our peers in the industry who we admire!
“Big thanks to my amazing team who work really hard everyday to make sure we’re pushing out incredible products daily, simply the best.”
Long Boi’s first opened back in 2020, in a former off-license in a residential corner of Levenshulme.
Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme has been named one of Britain’s Best Bakeries in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s breathed colour and life (and great pastries) into the neighbourhood, and attracted people from all across Greater Manchester for its bakes (I have personally commuted from Bury to Levenshulme for a pain au pickle).
The Good Food Guide hailed its ‘satisfyingly creative selection of sweet and savoury bakes’, name-checking the pandan lamingtons and the ‘everything bagel’ croissants.
The second bakery to make this year’s list in Greater Manchester is Pollen – no great surprise there.
The brilliant, artisan bakery started life in a railway arch behind Manchester Piccadilly and quickly had queues down the street for its towering, flaky cruffins.
PollenPollen in Ancoats
Since then, it’s opened its own waterside cafe and bakery in Ancoats, as well as a gorgeous modern space in the leafy Kampus, and is widely accepted to be one of the best bakeries in the North – if not the entire country.
The Good Food Guide said: “Since the aroma of fresh croissants first wafted from the ovens of the original bakery in Ancoats, Pollen has established something of a cult status in Manchester for its quality viennoiserie and sourdough loaves.
“A second, larger outpost at the Kampus development in the Piccadilly area is a serene, putty-hued space looking onto a lush courtyard garden where you can linger over a lunch of BBQ mushrooms on toast with celeriac and salsa verde or Jerusalem artichoke soup with herb butter.
“The counter also advertises a handsome selection of sweet treats: our surprisingly delicate matcha cheesecake was a sure sign of the pastry team’s skills.”
A huge congratulations to both Long Boi’s Bakehouse and Pollen.
Georgina Pellant -
8th August 2022 
