Tucked away in the corner of Manchester, but in the heart of Marple, Fold Bistro and Bottle Shop is a haven for food enthusiasts and wine aficionados alike.
Our recent dining experience here was nothing short of extraordinary, as we had the privilege of savouring dishes crafted by the talented Chef Ryan Stafford, who you might recognise from his appearances on the Great British Menu.
Ryan had been serving up great food at Fold for a long time before he was called up to the television show, so for one night only, he was flaunting the very same menu he served the judges.
Upon entering Fold Bistro, we were immediately struck by its quaint and ambient charm. The open kitchen design allows diners a full view of the action, like having front-row seats to your favourite episodes of The Bear, albeit with way less chaos.
Chef Ryan Stafford commented on how the open kitchen “adds pressure”, but you wouldn’t have noticed it as his team worked seamlessly, like clockwork, creating an engaging and mesmerising experience. The set menu allowed synchronicity, akin to a well-rehearsed performance.
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One of the standout features of Fold is its impressive wine selection, a testament to its dual identity as both a bistro and a bottle shop. If I wasn’t driving, it would have been hard to turn down a glass or two.
The menu, eloquently named and carefully curated, showcased a range of dishes that highlighted Chef Stafford’s creativity; thematically centred around an Olympic theme.
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One dish in particular, ‘Made in Water’, was a tribute to Dame Sarah Storey, commemorating herremarkable career where she amassed 28 Medals and became Britain’s most successful Paralympic athlete of all time. Storey is also a fellow Mancunian, making this tribute that little bit more poetic.
Everything he touches turns to gold… literally. One of the evening’s most memorable moments was the fish course, adorned with a 17-carat gold vinegar spritz. This luxurious touch added a layer of opulence to an already exquisite dish, which was a lovely, warming twist to your usual fish and chips.
The starter was a delightful explosion of flavours, with the tang of the Kaffir lime harmoniously balancing the spices. Each bite was a testament to Chef Stafford’s ability to blend ingredients in a way that is both surprising and satisfying.
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Truffle made a notable appearance in several dishes, reinforcing the current trend in gourmet dining. I, for one, am all here for it. The earthy richness of the truffle added depth and sophistication, elevating the dishes to new heights.
The dessert was a revelation: olive ice cream. While it may sound unconventional, Stafford has been perfecting this since before it became trendy (Remember when Dua Lipa had everyone trying this?), proving his foresight and innovative approach to flavour combinations.
As the evening drew to a close, Chef Stafford took a moment to acknowledge his team, stating: “Everything you’ve seen tonight, all 70 covers, couldn’t have been done without this team right here.”
This humble and heartfelt acknowledgement underscored the collaborative effort behind the evening’s overall success.
Fold Bistro and Bottle Shop is more of an experience than a destination and is now one of Marple Bridge‘s biggest attractions. Although this specific menu was a one-off, you’re still in for a treat with their usual menu.
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I couldn’t recommend it more for an evening of good food, friendly staff and an intimate atmosphere, especially if you want to escape the city centre.
Viral Manchester Christmas Markets trader shares apology for ‘below standard’ bakes
Daisy Jackson
One of the most popular traders at the Manchester Christmas Markets has shared a public apology statement after noticing its viral bakes ‘weren’t at the usual standard’.
The Flat Baker, which has been so popular in previous years Manchester City Council had to install a queueing system, thanked customers for their patience.
The bakery is famed for its Brazilian-inspired pastries, with its Christmas Markets offering featuring croissants served in a pot of molten pistachio sauce, and hot chocolates in an edible cookie cup.
But they said that an electrical issue at the stall left their viral croissants ‘cold and without texture’ and the team ended up pulling more than 20 boxes of croissants from sale.
The Flat Baker said they are ‘truly sorry’ to those who were served a croissant that wasn’t their usual standard, and assured fans that their electric warming cabinet is now back up and running, with every croissant ‘fresh, warm, and exactly as it should be’.
The bakery is run by couple Matt and Deb, who recently opened their first proper cafe in Ancoats, just down the road from their original hatch.
They described this as a ‘tough week’ for the business and wrote: “Over the past week, some of you noticed that our croissants at the Christmas Market weren’t quite up to the usual Flat Baker standard, and you were right.
“Unfortunately, due to electrical issues at our stall (managed by the event organisers), our warming cabinet couldn’t be used at all. That meant we couldn’t keep our croissants at their ideal temperature and texture throughout the day – something that’s essential for maintaining the quality we’re known for.
“We honestly didn’t realise how much this would affect the quality until it was too late, and that’s on us. Some of the croissants we served weren’t at our usual standard, and for that, we’re truly sorry.
“Without the warmer, their “shelf life” became much shorter, and they turned cold and lost texture far too quickly. We ended up bringing back over 20 boxes of croissants that we chose not to sell, because serving anything below our best just isn’t who we we are.”
They continued: “And as for those 20 boxes… nothing will go to waste. We’re already turning them into something new, warm, and seriously delicious, you’ll find out soon.
“Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your continued love for what we do. We’ll always choose quality, honesty, and creativity, even when things don’t go as planned.”
The Flat Baker are back at the Manchester Christmas Markets now, and you can find them at Piccadilly Gardens.
Manchester Irish bar Mother Mary’s announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
Irish bar Mother Mary’s has announced its closure in Manchester, just 18 months after opening.
The bar and live music venue opened last May on New Wakefield Street, taking over the building that had previously been home to legendary student haunt Font.
But just over a year after opening, and this Manchester Irish pub has announced its sudden closure due to financial pressures.
Mother Mary’s, at the time of opening, was headed up by nightlife veterans Greg Dwyer, Joseph Finegan and Chris Sharp, who transformed the venue with state-of-the-art sound systems for its live music offering.
Spread across two floors, the venue also served spice bags, pizzas, and plenty of Guinness, and hosted many-an-after party for some of the city’s biggest gigs.
Their full statement addressing their closure states: “It breaks our hearts to share that Mother Mary’s, as of this past weekend, has been forced to close its doors due to financial pressures.
Mother Mary’s Irish bar in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
“Only last week we were representing our venue at the This Is Manchester Awards as shortlisted nominee’s, so you can imagine this is a shock to everyone involved.
“Over the past year, Mother Mary’s has become so much more than a bar, it has grown into a true community hub. We’ve been home to grassroots music, inclusive club nights, and events that brought together people from all walks of life. From the bands who played their very first gigs on our stage (and have already gone on to fill bigger venues), to the regulars who made this place feel like home, to the countless partygoers who filled the dance floor with joy. YOU are what made Mother Mary’s so special.
“Spaces like ours that are wheelchair accessible, queer-inclusive, independent, and dedicated to championing local talent are so incredibly important. Especially also with the heart and spirit to offer a free space to fundraisers and events that are integral to those in our city that are often underrepresented. What we’ve built together is rare, beautiful, and deeply loved.
“It’s hard to imagine a world without Mother Mary’s, and while this may be the end of this chapter, we truly hope it’s not the end of our story. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the love, the music, the laughter, and the community we created together.
“Keep an eye out on our social media for any updates, we still have memories of our own from events that we would like to share with you. While our doors may be closed, our soul is very much still here and in everything we do.
“Please keep sharing the love and the memories. Every post, every message, every bit of support means the world right now.
“With love and gratitude, The Mother Mary’s Team.”
The Manc -
25th May 2024 
