One of Manchester’s best Chinese restaurants, Yum Cha, is coming to Altrincham town centre later this year in another exciting addition to the Stamford Quarter.
That’s right, set to join Alty’s bustling district of independent businesses and the heart of its ever-growing foodie scene, this will be Yum Cha‘s fourth site in the North West after already making a name for themselves in Liverpool, Warrington and, of course, here in the city centre.
Best-known for serving up delicious dim sum, slow-roasted meats and some seriously slurpy noodles, the name derives from a traditional Cantonese meal – usually served around brunch, consisting of dumplings, other snacks and sides, as well as hot tea – Altrincham can be rightly buzzing with the news.
And so are we, because after all, what’s better than one Yum Cha in Greater Manchester? Two of them.
The newest venue, expected to launch this summer, will be opening up in the multi-purpose Foundation space, joining a number of other retail, hospitality and leisure brands.
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Boasting a 2,166 sq ft unit on the ground floor of the building, it’ll be a decently sized gaff too, as they already know they need plenty of room for pan-Asian punters.
Nailing a whole host of Chinese classics and also delivering everything in top-quality packaging when ordering out (it’s the little things), we’re big fans of these guys.
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Yum Cha’s founder Adam Wan said of the announcement “We can’t wait to open our doors in the Stamford Quarter and the Foundation building is the perfect location for us. We opened in Manchester city centre in August 2022 and after the phenomenal response from our fantastic customers, Altrincham seemed like the perfect place to expand.
Both us and you lot love it so much, in fact, that we even filmed a Takeaway Champions at their Kampus location not so long ago.
Throwing in his two cents on Foundation’s growing commercial community, Bruntwood’s Head of Retail and Leisure at Bruntwood, James Tootle, said: “Yum Cha’s decision to open their new restaurant in Foundation is a testament to the exceptional quality of retail and hospitality in the Stamford Quarter.
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It’s the perfect location for attracting visitors to the town from the local community and beyond. With an already exciting and eclectic mix of brands, we’re thrilled to welcome this fantastic indie restaurant to the heart of Altrincham. We are confident that guests will love Yum Cha’s renowned dim sum.”
A spokesperson from Trafford Council, added: “Foundation completed in March of this year and incorporates a total of five floors, including three floors of market-leading workspace.
“The completion of the Foundation building signals a major milestone in the wider transformational plans for the Stamford Quarter, which will regenerate the high street and establish the area as a new and exciting destination for Altrincham.” They’re not the only ones popping up in the area soon too.
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Danny Jones -
9th July 2024 
