There aren’t many things we love more than meat and gravy wrapped in pastry, so when we heard that there was going to be an eight-course tasting menu revolving almost entirely around pie, we started salivating so much we practically had to wipe down our keyboards.
In what might just be the best food concept we’ve heard of in a while, the brand-new pie-tasting menu is the calorific lovechild of beloved Mancunian brands, Ate Days A Week and Baldy’s Pies, two of the best and most decorated pie-makers you’ll find anywhere in the region.
This is an idea that has never been done before as far as we can tell (certainly not in Greater Manchester, anyway) and is exactly what it sounds like: plates upon plates of pies, pies, pies, a.k.a. a Northerner’s gravy-soaked wet dream.
Popping up in the equally popular Deep South-inspired bar Notion over in Stockport, where Ate Days A. Week serve up pies week in and week out, the unique and exclusive dining experience is designed not only to fill bellies near to bursting but “elevate the humble pie to new heights”.
We’re drooling and these aren’t even the actual pies you’ll be trying — you’ll only get to see them on the night.
That’s the word of the event’s co-creator and Ate Days A Week founder, Andy James, who is promising to give diners a food memory “you never knew you wanted”, not mention “intrigue, delight and wow” customers some seriously interesting and even daring twists on a classic dish adored by all.
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But as if the SK and Wigan staples’ expertise wasn’t enough, the inaugural edition of ‘PieSessions’ boasts some an even bigger culinary calibre, as the two brands will also be joined by fellow Wigan-based favourites and this year’s Bake Off: The Professionals finalists, Harwoods Patisserie, as well as former MasterChef contestant, Scott Eckersley-Bell, who’ll be serving some signature Scotty’s Pies.
With the menu broken up into eight different courses featuring four pie dishes and four snacks, each team has come up with their own clever and boundary-pushing creations. Trust us when we say you’ll never have sat down for a pie like any of these before.
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Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a Japanese-inspired pie with katsu chicken curry, miso mash, furikake and a teriyaki bacon flake. Nope? Didn’t think so. How about a poached fish pie with curried cauliflower, spinach and mushroom soaked in a leek and cream sauce with a potato and chive rosti on the side?
The pie tasting menu for the first-ever PieSessions night at Notion Bar, Stockport
Of course you haven’t! Literally no one has ever tried any of these utterly incredible-sounding concoctions but we can’t wait to be among the first to try them — and so can you. You’ll probably beat us there though as our mouths are watering just typing this up.
As you can see, the selection of snacks and non-pie-related dishes are no joke either; we’d pay silly money for a beef short rib slider to start off a meal and those desserts look so devilish we’re not sure we’ll ever be absolved.
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Better still, since it’s taking place on an early mid-week evening at one of Stockport‘s best bars, we can’t think of many better ways to get you looking forward to a post-work treat.
To be honest, we’re pretty sure this is going to make our week full-stop.
Now, while securing a spot for PieSessions isn’t cheap, make no mistake: this isn’t just sitting down to scran any old pie you could order from the pub or a pasty shop — it’s an original dining experience celebrating one of the nation’s most iconic dishes and best-loved ways to devour meat and carbs.
That being said, costing £80 for admission per head, it’s still a very reasonable and competitive price compared to most high-end tasting menus and one thing we can guarantee is that you’ll feel much fuller than you would with most others.
Doors open from 6:30pm on 21 November at Notion; you’ll get a welcome drink upon arrival and there’ll be two bars serving drinks all night long. We honestly can’t wait for this and if you didn’t get excited by reading those menus alone, we’re not sure there’s help for you (sorry not sorry).
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There’s only a handful of tickets still left so grab yours whilst you still can HERE.
Featured Image — Supplied/Notion Bar (via Facebook)
Eats
Lavish Spanish restaurant backed by Pep Guardiola announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
Tast, the luxury Spanish restaurant in Manchester that was launched with the backing of Pep Guardiola, has announced its sudden closure.
The beautiful restaurant in King Street, led by acclaimed executive chef Paco Pérez, said that it’s taken the ‘difficult decision’ to close the doors for the ‘very last time’ this week.
Tast opened back in the summer of 2018, taking over the site that was previously home to restaurants like Quill and Suri.
It had a much better run of things than those previous occupiers, thanks to its menu of Catalan-style rice dishes and traditional but refined tapas.
Sadly, Tast Cuina Catalana has now decided that it’s reached the end of the road, and will be closing its doors for good on Saturday 20 December.
They cited a number of factors leading to the closure, including ‘exceptionally challenging trading conditions’ and ‘increased costs’, stressing that the restaurant’s ‘shareholders and the dedication of our team’ have seen the restaurant through the last seven years.
Tast wrote in a statement: “We are proud to have been able to share some of Catalunya, our beloved country, with the people of Manchester.
Tast will close for good on 20 DecemberTast on King Street launched in 2018 with backing from Pep Guardiola
“Between now and our final service on 20 December, we look forward to welcoming you and celebrating what Tast has always been about: great food, great people and memorable moments shared around the table.”
Other restaurant owners in Manchester have been sharing their messages of support with Tast, including Beeswing, who wrote: “This is so sad to read. Such lovely food and thoughtful service — a real reflection of how hard things are for hospitality right now. Manchester will miss you.”
Mary-Ellen McTague, the renowned chef at Pip, said: “Really sad news! Sorry to hear it.”
Tasts’s full statement reads: “After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Tast’s doors for the very last time on 20 December 2025.
“Tast has been built on the passion, talent and commitment of an exceptional team, and we want to begin by thanking every single person who has worked with us over the years. Your creativity, care and professionalism have been the heart of Tast.
“To our loyal customers: thank you for choosing to dine with us, celebrate with us and support us. Your belief in Tast has kept us alive for seven years and it has been a privilege to welcome you through our doors.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our suppliers, producers and partners. Your quality, reliability and collaboration have played a vital role in shaping what Tast stands for.
“Like many in the hospitality sector, we have faced exceptionally challenging trading conditions and increased costs. But the unwavering support of our shareholders and the dedication of our team have seen us through these past seven years.
“Above all, we are proud to have been able to share some of Catalunya, our beloved country, with the people of Manchester.
“Between now and our final service on 20 December, we look forward to welcoming you and celebrating what Tast has always been about: great food, great people and memorable moments shared around the table.
“Thank you for being part of our journey. With gratitude, Tast Team.”
Anyone with vouchers to dine at Tast will be automatically refunded if they can’t be spent in the next few days.
Tast will officially close on Saturday 20 December.
Inside Mollie’s Motel and Diner in Manchester as beautiful new hotel opens with rooms from just £109
Daisy Jackson
Mollie’s Motel & Diner has arrived in Manchester, with beautiful hotel rooms from just £109 plus a retro diner serving American classics.
The space has taken over five floors of the iconic Old Granada Studios down at St John’s, with interior design that celebrates the building’s history.
Mid-century modern details like dark woods, textured upholstery, and retro lamps abound in this stylish new opening for Manchester.
Soho House Design has worked on the build of Mollie’s Motel to preserve the modernist facade of Old Granada Studios and make playful nods to the building’s vibrant history.
This is particularly obvious downstairs in Studio IV, a cocktail bar with a live music stage, where vintage TVs have been inserted over the bar and guests sink into plush couches for pre-dinner drinks.
You can already check out Mollie’s Diner, which is open now (with a decent discount for its launch – more on that below), with the Mollie’s Motel bedrooms set to launch early 2026.
The hotel rooms at Mollie’s Motel Manchester
A bunk room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterA Mollie’s Motel suiteAnd a tub with a viewThe bedrooms are all beautifully designed
Hotel rooms at Mollie’s Manchester start from an incredibly reasonable £109, with different size and spec bedrooms and suites for guests.
There are cosy bunk rooms where up to four guests can tuck into their own bunk pods, suites that have their own Peleton room, and cosy double bedrooms with gorgeous views of the southern side of the city.
Regardless of the level (or price) of your chosen room, you’ll have the same design detailing (dark wood panelling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes), plus rainshowers, a super king bed, Dyson hairdryers, GHD straighteners and Cowshed toiletries.
Mollie’s Diner in Manchester
Mollie’s Diner is open nowBreakfast dishes at Mollie’s DinerBurgers and fried chicken at Mollie’s DinerClassic thick milkshakes
The diner space itself looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with deep burgundy leather banquettes, counter seating, and globe pendant lights.
It’s all been inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac, and has space to 110 diners plus private dining for 30.
As for food and drink, you can expect everything from waffles and French toast to huge burgers and steaks, with thick milkshakes to wash it down.
You can get 50% off food if you book Mollie’s Diner HERE.
The rest of the spaces in Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Manchester
Studio IV cocktail barStudio IV cocktail barThe library snug
As you enter this reimagined building, you’re plunged straight into its design-led vision, with couches and cosy corners everywhere.
The communal reception space has a library snug, coffee counter, and beautiful bar, but you head downstairs you’ll find the real treat – Studio IV.
This beautiful bar is built around a magnificent central bar, with retro TV screens above it and scalloped leather bar stools surrounding it.
There’s a mid-century-era stage, too, which will host live entertainment to a crowd gathered on couches before it.
You can get 25% off signature cocktails in Studio IV if you pre-book HERE.
Danny Jones -
8th November 2023 
