A new all-pink cake cafe with branches around the globe is set to open its first north west site at Manchester’s Trafford Centre this year.
EL&N (which stands for Eat, Live, and Nourish) is as famous for its elaborate interiors as it is for its intricately beautiful cakes, already boasting successful sites around the world in locations like Milan, Dubai, London, Paris, Doha and Edinburgh.
Now, it’s been revealed that the brand coming to Manchester with pictures in the Manchester Evening News showing construction already underway at Trafford Palazzo.
Images show huge pink archways and sparkly signs, with a clear pink roof emblazoned with the brand’s name as well as a second sign that reads: ‘Love Coffee,’,
Sitting opposite Primark, it is expected to open inside Trafford Palazzo in time for Easter 2023.
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First founded in Mayfair, London in 2017, EL&N quickly established itself as a go-to for cake lovers – drawing in an Instagram-minded crowd with its flower walls, hot pink interiors and mouthwatering cake, coffee and mocktail menu.
It has eleven sites in the UK as well as six international locations, all serving up the likes of gorgeous afternoon teas alongside drinks such as speciality hot chocolates, flowering and iced teas, hot coffee and cold brew cans.
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Elsewhere on its menu, diners will find brunch staples including avocado toast, eggs benedict, shakshuka and Turkish eggs, plus mouthwatering loaded French toast, sandwiches and chapatis.
As for cakes, think giant slices of cake in flavours like pistachio, carrot, honey, red velvet, strawberry and chocolate ganache, plus further treats like tiramisu, raspberry cheesecake and dulce mille feuille.
And there’s more. From classic flavours of gelato to a range of different dulce de leche, plus giant cookies and brownies, the list of desserts on offer seems never-ending.
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EL&N Honey Cake. / Image: EL&N
Mark Whittaker, Executive Director – Property Investment & Management at Peel L&P, said: “This is an extremely exciting announcement and will elevate the offering even further at Trafford Palazzo.
“EL&N is exactly the type of operator we are looking to attract, a forward thinking, unique brand that will complement the centre and add to the experience we are fostering within the space.”
Alexandra Miller, Founder of EL&N, said: “We are thrilled to announce our very first opening in Manchester at Trafford Palazzo.
“This location in particular is iconic, and we can’t wait to bring our unique offering to the diners of Manchester.
“The store design ties in all the classic EL&N interior elements along with some fresh new Instagram moments that we’ve never done before, Manchester, you’re in for a real treat!”
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Family behind Salvi’s launch new concept, weeks after iconic restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Just weeks after the closure of its iconic, 16-year-old Italian restaurant in the Corn Exchange, the family behind Salvi’s have revealed a brand-new concept.
And this time, the reins are being handed over to the next generation.
Salvi’s founder Maurizio Cecco has helped to shape Amò, but it’s all the brainchild of his daughter, Sienna.
Sienna will run the business out of a unit up on Deansgate Mews, serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza sandwiches, tubs of tiramisu, and two-for-£10 spritzes.
The deli aspect of the original Salvi’s has been carried over to Amò too – you’ll find shelves almost to the ceiling filled with Italian pasta, wine, olive oils, pistachio spreads, and more.
Sienna has grown up in restaurants, with her parents launching Salvi’s when she was just two years old.
She said she wants the space to be a livelier, fresher version of the Italian restaurant that has been so loved by Mancs for so many years.
Sienna outside AmòFresh pasta dishesInside Amò by Salvi’sTheir viral frozen crema di caffeLemon granitaInside Amò by Salvi’sTiramisu pots
Amò, which is Neapolitan slang for ‘my love’, will have loads of fresh Italian dishes, including arancini, gnocchi, and hearty pasta plates.
At lunchtimes, guests can order from a £10 lunch menu, with dishes changing daily depending on the best produce the kitchen can get – it could be a pizza sandwich with proscuitto and tomato, a spicy pasta, or a gnocchi bake, always served with your choice of soft drink.
With its position on Deansgate Mews, Amò basks in the sunshine at lunchtimes.
And while it’s definitely a different concept to the original Salvi’s, Amò looks set to carry the family’s Italian food legacy into its next generation.
Award-winning Didsbury bakery La Chouquette reveals incredible new site
Daisy Jackson
La Chouquette is one of Greater Manchester’s top bakeries – an award-winner, with queues down the street every weekend for its authentic French pastries and loaves.
And now they’re ready for a new chapter, revealing a major expansion today.
Owners Catrina and Flo have painstakingly expanded the bakery into the unit next door, creating what feels like a true French bakery.
And in the midst of this huge renovation project, they’ve welcomed a tiny new baby boy – quite the summer for the couple.
Catrina and Flo launched La Chouquette in lockdown, and in a time where people could only get their hospitality fix from takeaways, immediately became one of the most popular spots in the region.
Their success has been so great, you’ll still consistently find queues down the street every weekend, for their top sellers like their authentic almond croissants.
Then in October 2024, they grew the business and launched Piqniq, a new deli in Didsbury village, serving freshly-baked baguette sandwiches, breakfast butties, toasties, tiramisu pots and their legendary pastries.
The new-look La Chouquette features beautiful details like mosaic floors, rich blue walls, wooden shelves, and brass light fixtures.
La Chouquette’s best-selling almond croissantsInside the stunning new La Chouquette in DidbsuryNew savoury bakesThe chausson aux pommesThe counter stuffed with artisan French bakesChocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns
The huge new counter displays more pastries and breads than ever before, like a hearty chausson aux pommes filled with apples that will be perfect for autumn, plus seasonal treats like a rhubarb creme brulee pastry, and homemade quiche.
Speaking at the grand relaunch today, Catrina said: “The layout has changed, it looks so much more chic, it looks like a traditional French bakery. We’re really excited about it.”
As for what’s on the counter, Flo reassured fans that their beloved almond and pistachio croissants remain, but with some new savoury editions, like a truffle croque monsieur made with croissant dough.
La Choquette has reopened today, and will be open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm.
Georgina Pellant -
10th March 2023 
