Rudy’s is opening another new pizza site in Manchester, taking over the former Dawson’s Music shop after it closed its doors last September.
The new pizza restaurant will open inside 30 Portland street, next to Cafe Nero, taking over the huge two-floor glass building that previously housed the music mainstay – a fixture on the Manchester scene for over two decades.
It will bridge the gap between Rudy’s two existing city centre sites, sitting at a halfway point between the original pizzeria in Ancoats and the Peter street site.
Image: The Manc Eats
This will be the fourth Manchester site for the award-winning Neapolitan pizzeria, which is currently in the process of opening its first Greater Manchester site in Sale on Northerndon road.
Rudy’s has also expanded in recent years to open Neapolitan pizza parlours in neighbouring cities Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Rudy’s first opened in Manchester in 2015 as an independent pizzeria, operated by local couple Jim Morgan and Kate Wilson.
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The pair found huge success with their walk-in Neapolitan pizza concept, creating queues around the block as hungry fans clamoured to get a table, and gained a huge number of accolades including being named one of the best in the world.
Last year, it was named the fifth-best in Europe – coming in just four places behind L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Naples, widely known to be the Italian ‘temple of pizza’.
Image: The Manc Eats
In 2017, the founders sold a slice of the business to Mission Mars – the company behind Albert’s Schloss.
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Whilst they still remain as shareholders and are said to be “very much involved”, the sale has enabled the huge expansion of Manchester’s favourite pizza parlour into various parts of the UK.
In 2029, its new operators told the Manchester Evening News it planned to launch a further five restaurants in Greater Manchester’s suburbs within the next two years.
At the time, Neal Bates, managing director of Rudy’s, told the paper:
“Over the next two years we aim to open a further five restaurants in the satellite towns of Manchester serving local communities with informal family dining and delivery services.
“If you know of a premises or site that might be suitable, we would be delighted to hear from you.”
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Bosses have submitted a planning application with the council for the new Portland street site, which will remain in review until 8 March 2022.
Feature image – Google
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The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
Georgina Pellant -
11th February 2022 
