Some unusual and good news from the restaurant world this week – beloved neighbourhood restaurant Örme won’t be closing after all.
The Michelin Guide restaurant over in Urmston announced earlier this year that the business was going up for sale and would be closing imminently.
The award-winning business’s founders had said at the time that it was becoming ‘unfeasible’ to sustainably run a restaurant in the current climate facing the hospitality industry, adding that a break in the lease had given them the opportunity to step back and reassess.
It’s not often we get to take back a closure announcement – but thankfully, this is one of those times.
Restaurant Örme has now confirmed it won’t be closing after all, and will instead be pivoting in a brand-new direction with a social dining concept.
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That means a move away from its tasting menu format in favour of a more relaxed sharing concept, that will still focus on seasonality and modern British cooking.
Two of the original trio of founders – Jack Field and Rachel Roberts – will take over the running of Restaurant Örme, while Tom Wilson steps away at the end of the month.
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The plan is to bring guests together over ‘seasonal small plates intended for sharing’, for a more casual experience.
Jack Field and Rachel Roberts will run the new-look OrmeInside Orme in UrmstonCredit: Supplied
There’ll be snacks like salt’n’vinegar scampi with curry mayo, and smoked Lancashire cheese custard on fried bread with red onion jam.
Then for main plates, diners can expect the likes of cured Cornish mackerel, roasted onion dressing and english peas; and spring lamb, served with sweet and sour mint and BBQ cavolo nero.
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Desserts include upside-down treacle tart, served with raspberries, lemon thyme and ginger; and a strawberry, balsamic and lime sundae.
There will also be a feasting menu comprised of a chef’s selection of seasonal dishes.
Rachel Roberts, Operations and Wine Director, from Örme, said: “We are excited to be taking Örme in a new direction, deepening our roots in the local community.
A glimpse of Orme’s new menu. Credit: Supplied
“We’ve always seen this as an extension of our home, and we want guests to feel like they are invited in for tea. With our extended opening hours, we will be welcoming walk-ins and drinkers.”
Jack Fields, Chef Director from Örme, said: “Our new menu allows us to collaborate closely with our suppliers and access highly seasonal produce with the freedom to change the dishes on a more frequent basis.”
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“It’s a more paired back and comforting approach, but still highlights British ingredients using the classic techniques that Örme is built on. The relaunch will also introduce refreshed interiors, a renewed drinks offering and a continued emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients.”
Looking ahead, Örme will continue under the ownership and direction of Jack and Rachel, who remain fully committed to the restaurant’s future and are excited to build on the strong foundations that have been created over the past three years.
Restaurant Örme will relaunch on Wednesday 1 July 2026, with a full menu being announced in the coming weeks via social media channels and the restaurant’s website.
The beautiful new (now parrot-less) Mediterranean restaurant on the banks of the River Irwell
Daisy Jackson
It might have first made headlines because of Rio the parrot, but now Gardens’ controversial feathered resident has been rehomed, the spotlight is firmly back where it belongs – on the food.
Gardens is a striking new waterside restaurant and lounge overlooking the River Irwell, with enormous windows taking in views of the water and Manchester Cathedral.
Greater Manchester has historically not been very good about making the most of its waterways, with areas like Ancoats Marina and Salford Quays now leading a new charge, so it’s refreshing to see somewhere making the most of the Irwell – even if there’s still more chance of seeing a plastic bag floating past than anything more scenic.
With its towering ceilings and stylish interiors, Gardens has quickly become one of Salford’s most eye-catching new openings, promising hearty Mediterranean grills, shisha, and great mocktails.
And now there’s another reason to visit, as the venue has launched a brand new Lebanese-inspired brunch menu.
Expect authentic dishes including fluffy omelettes, hearty foul (slow-cooked fava beans), prawn fatteh (layers of crisp pitta, tahini yoghurt, chickpeas, and prawns), shakshuka, and fresh halloumi tomato salad, alongside plenty of other Mediterranean favourites.
The brand-new brunch menu joins the substantial menu of grilled mains, with dishes like mixed grills, slow-cooked lamb shank that falls off the bone, and roast chicken.
A spread of brunch dishes at GardensFruit platter, cakes and coffees at GardensFeta, tomato and spinach omelette; chickpeas in tahini yoghurtPrawn fatteh and shakshukahGardens seen across the River IrwellThe beautiful waterside locationMixed grill dishes at GardensSteak in a homemade herb sauce
And you’ll find plenty of other dishes like fattoush salad, hummus, and flatbreads.
Gardens is split into two areas, with the archway overlooking Greengate Square home to the cafe for brunches and matchas, while the main riverside lounge comes alive for socialising, shisha, and mocktails.
While Gardens may have become known for reasons beyond the menu when it first opened, its riverside location, stylish interiors and generous Mediterranean offering make it one of the most impressive new additions to Salford’s dining scene.
If you’re after somewhere new for a weekend brunch or an evening meal by the water, this could be worth adding to your list.
Beloved local restaurant passionately tears apart burglars after ‘hurtful and disappointing’ break-in
Daisy Jackson
A local Manchester restaurant has found itself the victim of a break-in, with staff wages and other goods stolen – and they’ve not exactly held back in their statement to the burglars.
The Thirsty Korean, a hugely popular name over in Chorlton, has asked customers to ‘teach them how to swear in English’ so they can adequately express their disappointment and disgust.
Owner Eunji Noh said in a passionate statement that ‘bad karma comes as well as good karma’.
She wrote: “What you did was that you fully disrespected us that we put our love, passion, effort and time to do something meaningful and great.
“We do not deserve that. I wish, you will be deserved of what you did and I hope, that it will hurt you and your life.”
The Thirsty Korean opened last year in a new spot on Wilbraham Road, serving its legendary and authentic Korean dishes like fried chicken, tteokbokki, and Korean pancakes.
Sharing CCTV images of the burglars in the restaurant, Eunji added that she hopes they will ‘one day become someone doing something right’.
She said: “Hating someone is consuming so much negative energy, therefore I really do not like to say such and it hurts me too.
“However words have a power. So I leave the message that, in any case you would ever read. You will have many bad things happening to you and you will have many bad days and I wish this bad karma will chase to you soon.”
The Thirsty Korean’s brunch spreadCheesy Ttekbokki noodles
She also wrote: “What you stole from the thirsty korean last night was paying our hard working staff wages, paying goods and supplies and our maintenance for the restaurant which assures us living tomorrow.
“It is truly hurtful and disappointing to know that there were people looking for the opportunity to steal someone’s belonging that I personally have never imagined to do by myself stealing someone’s possession and hovering and looking for a spot during the night with this bad intention.”
Addressing customers, she assured people that The Thirsty Korean will be back open for service from Wednesday.
Eunji signed off: “Eventually we all know that everything will be fine again. Spring has been always coming after winter ends.”
Daisy Jackson -
11th June 2026 
